POA Chairman Bob Brooks ended a routine work session on Thursday with the news that he will ask the board to approve an election to increase monthly assessments.
He did not reveal how much of an increase he will ask for.
Property Owner Association assessments can only be increased if the membership approves the plan. Several attempts in recent years have failed. The last assessment increase occurred in 2001, when the POA implemented a two-tiered system, with nonresidents paying $16 a month while residents pay $24.
According to a press release issued after the work session, a higher assessment is needed to "allocate funds to renewing and rejuvenating Bella Vista's community buildings, facilities and natural areas...."
Since that 2001 increase, aging infrastructure has affected property values within Bella Vista, the press release states. Improved facilities would stop that downward trend.
Several improvements have been undertaken in the past few months, including the renovation of the former Yacht Club restaurant, new greens on the Scotsdale Golf Course, and the new walking trail at the former Branchwood Golf Course. All of those improvements were paid for using reserve funds.
The press release did not say how much of an increase the board will ask for, but a time line was provided. If the board approves the plan, ballots will go out in September and the results will be announced at a membership meeting on Nov. 1.
General Manager Tom Judson will devote his next questions and coffee session to the assessment effort at 6 p.m. July 26. By then, he expects to have a plan detailing future improvements. Judson meets with members twice a month in Riordan Hall -- at 10 a.m. on the second Tuesday, and at 6 p.m. the fourth Tuesday.
Brooks also suggested a change to the cost of ID cards. Last year, the board agreed to raise the cost of a photo ID card for nonresident members so it more closely reflected the cost for resident members. The photo ID card gives members a discounted prices at amenities and is needed to register a boat on POA lakes. Since nonresidents pay $8 a month less in assessments -- $96 less annually, the cost of one nonresident photo ID card was set at $131 (before tax) compared to $35 for a resident photo ID. A second photo ID issued for the same property is $35 for both residents and nonresidents.
Brooks said implementation of the two-tiered system caused a drop in usage of amenities by nonresidents. He wants to return to the earlier policy of all members paying the same price for a photo ID.
The board also briefly discussed policy changes that would make the Young Residents Committee a formal Joint Advisory Committee and a trail-use policy that will match the city's policy. Each policy will be voted on at the next meeting.
Also, members of the election committee will be appointed at this week's meeting, including Buddy Gray, Jack Allen, Gary Creakbaum, Roger Scoles, Bob Higgins, Dick Hartman, Michael Johnson and Philip Bode.
General News on 07/20/2016