Landowners in Seven Lakes North and South could see a $25 increase in annual dues, if the Seven Lakes Landowners Association [SLLA] Board of Directors approve a draft budget presented during their Monday, January 12 Work Session.
With little comment, the Directors voted unanimously to move the draft budget and dues increase, which were recommended by the Finance Committee, to the January 28 Open Meeting for a vote. The recommended dues hike must be approved by a majority of the members voting at the Annual Meeting in March.
The $25 increase would apply to all landowners, lifting total annual dues for improved lots to $1,050; and to $720 for unimproved lots. Dues on an additional lots owned by a member would increase to $547 per year.
Without the increase, the Association's FY 2016 revenues are projected to be $1,462,141; with the increase, revenues will total $1,499,716, a difference of $37,575. The SLLA currently includes 1,503 billable lots.
Community Manager Ray Sohl said the dues increase will help fund a two percent increase in operating expenditures, as well as helping the Association build its reserves for capital projects.
Treasurer Sandy Sackmann said the Finance Committee recommends seeking smaller dues increases each year, rather than a more substantial rate hike every few years.
The $25 increase represents a 2.4 percent increase for homeowners, a 3.6 percent increase on undeveloped lots, and a 4.8 percent increase for the owners of multiple lots.
Board Candidates Presented
Director Sackmann, who chaired this year's nominating committee, presented the names of five candidates for the Board of Directors, including current Directors Bob Racine and Dave Hill, along with newcomers Greg Lishawa, Mark Gyure, and Joy Smith.
The Board will formally accept the nominees at the January 28 Open Meeting.
Sackmann noted that there is still time for additional candidates to have their name placed on the Annual Meeting ballot; at least one prospective candidate is exploring that option. The SLLA bylaws require that petition candidates gather at least fifty signatures of members in good standing and present them to the Board at its last meeting in January.
The Board plans to schedule a Meet the Candidate's Night for Wednesday, February 4 at 7:00 pm in the North Clubhouse.
Other Business
In other business during their Monday, January 12 work session, the SLLA Board of Directors:
• Agreed to move to the January 28 Open Meeting the recombination of three lots that are already shown as combined in county records, including lots 2521 and 2520, 209 and 210, and 673 and 674.
• Confirmed that the Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, March 22 at 3:00 pm in the fellowship hall of the Seven Lakes Chapel in the Pines. The Board will convene its organizational meeting at 5:00 pm on the same day.
• Asked Manager Sohl to revise his regular report on outstanding projects to reflect the administration's progress in completing the work, in addition to whether additional action is needed from the Board.
• Referred to the Lakes & Dams Committee a management recommendation to pursue retitling of apparently abandoned boats and trailers, so that they can be removed from Association property. The items will be publicized in an effort to identify the owners before any action is taken to remove them.
• Referred to the Recreation Committee a management recommendation to dispose of unused assets, including a pool table, foosball table, and air hockey table. Other items that management hopes to sell or dispose of include a piano, an organ, and a Cub Cadet mower.
• Heard from resident Jim Allen a suggestion that the Board formalize its policy of routing action items through appropriate committees — and, when possible, facilitate simultaneous review of items that need to be seen by more than one committee.
• Director Steve Ritter was absent from the meeting.
