Jerold Hover

Although he's relatively new to Bella Vista, Jerold Hover has an impressive resume in parks and recreation. He retired after 17 years as the Kansas State Park Director and served as president of the National Association of State Park Directors and as president of the National Society for Park Resources.

"I've always been in public service and I figure I have a couple of more years," he said, adding that his background in resource management, as well as in parks and recreation will be an asset to the POA board.

"I've never been a punch-the-clock person. I give as much as it takes to do the job correctly. If I'm going to do something, it needs to be done right."

It's possible to balance the needs of young residents with older residents, he said. The age groups can mix at many of the amenities, he said.

Bella Vista began as a golf community and golf fees will have to go up to keep it that way, he said. But, the cost could be offset by more golfers.

"If we can get the young people playing golf, it will help," he said.

Turning amenities over to the city probably won't help, he said. Taxes would go up by a "substantial amount" to pay for the amenities, he speculated. But, if that's what people really want, they should have it. If a vote was held and the majority wanted to dissolve the POA, that's what would need to be done.

Meanwhile, it might take an increase in the monthly assessment fee to keep the amenities open at some point. He's not sure the POA has reached that point.

"We have to do a better job of informing people what the money is used for," he said. "Not everyone knows what an amenity is."

"In my opinion, it's what we get up and look at every morning," he said. "This is a beautiful area with wonderful streets that are well taken care of. It's a beautiful area that can't be beat anywhere else."