Judson discusses proposed assessment fee increase
At his regular evening “Coffee and Questions” meeting, POA General Manager Tom Judson told about 100 residents why they should vote to increase their monthly assessment fees.
The meeting was held in the Riordan Hall Auditorium on July 26.
Assessments can only be raised if a majority of the membership votes in an election and a majority of those approve the increase. The last time that happened was 2001.
A week earlier, the association board approved a plan to hold an assessment election this fall. The plan calls for a $9-per-month increase for residents, bringing their monthly fee to $33, and a $3-per-month increase for nonresident members for a total of $19. The two increases will be voted on separately. Assessments can only be raised if a majority of voters approve the increase.
Ballots will be mailed Sept. 1 and the results will be announced Nov. 1.
Judson has been in Bella Vista only seven months and used his recent home-buying experience to justify the increase. When he was house hunting with his wife, they didn’t consider homes that were obviously dated. For example, a home with avocado kitchen appliances would not make their list. Some of the POA facilities in Bella Vista are like a home with avocado appliances, he said.
Judson provided a “Rejuvenation Plan” that lists the work that can be financed with the assessment increase.
In 2017, a swim beach at Lake Avalon, more work on the Branchwood trails and the renovation of the Country Club are proposed.
Members would see an expansion of the Branchwood building and new playground equipment at several association facilities in 2018.
The biggest projects are scheduled for 2020 to 2021. A new community center and swim complex — at the cost of about $7 million — are planned to replace Riordan Hall and the Kingsdale pool complex.
Riordan would be converted to offices for Membership Services and the Water Department. Judson said he has already spoken to the city and the Architectural Control Committee about relo- cating offices to Riordan, making it convenient for residents to do all their permitting in one spot. The auditorium would probably be renovated and remain in use, Judson said.
Each phase of the plan includes money set aside for a needs assessment, which includes maintenance costs to keep the facilities at their current level, Judson said. Some expensive projects, such as an irrigation system for the Berksdale golf course and renovations of some golf greens, are included in the needs assessment numbers, Judson said after the meeting. He has a list of many of those items, but it won’t be shared publicly.
The needs assessment will cost between $2.2 million and $4 million each year until 2022.
Judson isn’t counting solely on the assessment increase to pay for the plan, he said. He and his staff have already found ways to save money previously budgeted, and he plans to bring in more money through operations. The handout showed “incremental cash from operational revenue, efficiencies and improvements,” almost matching the money coming in from the increase in assessments.
Judson promised to talk to any group that invites him to speak between now and the election. His next two Coffee and Questions meetings — at 9 a.m. Aug. 9 and at 6 p.m. Aug. 23 — will focus on the rejuvenation plan.