Q: What do we get for the increase in dues?
A: Currently there are two issues the neighborhood is having. The first is the lack of board members for 2009 and the second is paying out bills. The management company would help with both issues. The company would take over day to day issues such as collecting dues, paying bills and enforcing covenants. This will help in recruiting board members because then the only job the board members need to do is meet to discuss items and plant the front entrance. Those who have paid their dues, do not think this is a punishment to cover the cost of those who haven’t. Metcalf is a solution to the two issues discussed earlier.
Q: The letter said something about the HOA getting a loan?
A: Metcalf, since they would be collecting the dues, would loan us the money to immediately have the lights turned back on and would then simply repay themselves from the dues collected.
Q: Why such an increase?
A: Most of the increase is due to pay Metcalf ($90). The remaining increase is to give the HOA a cushion. Increases in electricity, and water bills as well as increases in liability insurance and property taxes. This will also give the HOA a cushion to have so that if there are still stubborn neighbors who haven’t paid, the HOA will still have some money in reserve to cover those months so that we don’t have the lights turned out again
Q: If we have no money in the HOA account, how were the letters mailed?
A: Metcalf sent the letters and return envelopes for the HOA at no cost.
Q: If approved, how long of a contract do we enter into?
A: That is up to the HOA board, and right now it looks like a one year contract, in which the 2009 board can review the job Metcalf has done and see if we need to continue service with them.
Q: How many votes are needed to pass?
A: HOA can only increase dues each year by 5%. Anything above that has to have a neighborhood vote, of which 66% or 2/3 of the neighborhood need to vote yes for the increase to take place. 196 homes = 129 homes needed to vote yes
Q: We don’t have amenities that constitute such an increase.
A: No, we don’t. However similar neighborhoods built by America Builder and DR Horton just like our neighborhood are paying around $160-180. They do not have amenities either. Management companies are successful in helping neighborhoods get on their feet and either become self managed HOA, or the association will keep the services they provide.
Q. What will happen if we vote against professional management?
A. There will be no HOA. Most likely people will begin to do whatever they want, causing the community to become aesthetically displeasing and in turn property values will decline.
