HSV POA board focuses on sustainable growth
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — This week’s regular meeting of the Hot Springs Village Property Owners Association board focused again on the community’s sustainable growth.
Members of the public will have another chance in September to hear from the POA governing body, during the first “Welcome to the Board Room” program, set for Thursday in Woodlands Auditorium.
In his chairman’s report on Wednesday, John Weidert said the event would be an “enlightening session” focused on governance and future board member recruitment. This inaugural program will cover the board’s fiduciary responsibility to property owners, how property owners and the board can partner for recruiting, what is involved with serving as a board member, and the overall recruitment process.
Refreshments will be available at 6 p.m., with presentations taking place from 6:30-8 p.m. Questions will also be taken from the audience, and a door prize will be given away.
Growth for Hot Springs Village translates in part as additional amenities and improved infrastructure, but the increase in value will not be possible without passing part of those costs along to residents.
The 2018 Proposed Budget, to be voted on in October, includes a 1.5 percent CPI increase to assessments. This will translate as a monthly increase of $1 for improved properties and 60 cents for unimproved.
In addition, there will be a public utilities rate increase, as proposed by the 2017 Utility Rate Study. Consultant Dan Jackson of the Willdan Group was in attendance, and presented a brief overview of findings. He said keeping water and sewer systems repaired, and replacing items as needed, are as high in importance as keeping rates low. He said utility rates actually cover the process of making water available, more than the cost of the water itself, ensuring that people are consistently able to utilize faucets, hoses and toilets.
There will also be increases to ambulance fees, as per the LifeNet contract increases, an increase in boat and lake use fees, and increased golf cart fees.
Proposed additional amenities include an improved pickleball complex, outdoor pool, and capital purchases like the lease of a Quint ladder truck for the HSV Fire Department, water and wastewater projects, updated phone and server systems, upgrades to the RV Park, tennis court renovations, and a Public Utility Vac Unit.
CEO Lesley Nalley explained the balance of value in regard to fees, saying, “There’s a business aspect to keeping a community valuable,” stressing that some communities go bankrupt when financial needs aren’t addressed at the forefront.
In her report, COO Linda Mayhood said rehabilitation of the ball water tank has been completed, and work on the standpipe tank is set to be finished in October. Culvert rehab and the Crack Routing and Sealing Project will both begin Oct. 1.
The Urban Deer Hunt is slated for Dec. 9 through Jan. 31, and 122 hunters have registered, including 33 residents of Hot Springs Village.
A drawdown of Lake Coronado will begin Nov. 1, and is expected to lower levels 6-8 feet.
Mayhood noted the recent added amenities of a patio shade at the Coronado Community Center, the well-received agility stations in the dog park, and the upcoming availability of indoor basketball play in the Coronado auditorium.
Three agenda items under current business were voted on, and all passed unanimously. Board member Marcy Mermel was unable to attend, so did not vote. The items were an addition to board policy, and revisions to the Trails Committee Charter and Recreation Committee Charter.
Under new business, Vice Chairman Tom Weiss presented on a proposed policy for board member recruitment. Director of Recreation Stacy Hoover gave the Pickleball Project proposal. Nalley gave updates on the revised 2018 budget. HSV Police Chief Ricky Middleton formally requested the disbanding of the Public Safety Committee, saying both he and HSV Fire Chief Jason Miller have greatly appreciated the work done by its members since 2014, but that needs have all been addressed at this point.
Additionally, Weidert proclaimed October as National Colonial Heritage Month within the Village.