Quorum Failed. Annual Meeting Take 2 on Dec. 19

We did not have enough people either attend the annual meeting or return proxy forms for the HOA to elect a board of directors for next year. So we must try again, and you will soon get a notice mailed to you of the new meeting December 19.

The board did pass the budget for next year. It did include a $10 increase in monthly dues, mainly because of a sizeable increase in our insurance bill. The HOA insures the exterior structure and unit owners remain responsible for the interiors, including the drywall, plumbing, electrical wiring, as well as our possessions.

At the meeting several people complained about the increase, with one asking, "what do we get for our money?"

In the 2018 budget, here were the biggest line items:

1. Water/Sewer: $215,000
2. Landscaping (i.e. mowing the lawns): $107,400
3. Insurance: $67,440
4. Building Defects Lawsuit: $60,000
5. Electricity (i.e. street lights): $39,000
6. Trash removal: $35,000
7. Property Management: $32,160

Obviously, the board hopes that once the lawsuit against KB Home concludes, we will get our buildings up to code and that will eliminate number 4 on the list and reduce number 5.

But, for now, the board can't change any of them. These are not discretionary expenses.  The board, for example, can't control how much water people use.  The irrigation comes from well water not part of the water bill. The HOA has bid out the landscape maintenance contract to make sure we get the best price available.

Of course, the board welcomes ideas on how to save money. Board members, including your humble correspondent, pay dues too and don't like them to go up any more than any other owner.