LETTERS EDITOR TO THE

2020 and forward

The assessment vote is not just about whether or not you pay a fee when you go to the swimming pool. The city of Bella Vista has been diligently seeking some additional commercial development to bolster our meager commercial tax base and to offer more options for residents. With recent changes at Cooper, that may be even more possible moving forward.

Commercial developers do a lot of research before choosing to come into a community. If they find that the community has chosen not to approve an assessment increase for almost 20 years, that would be a huge red flag and could easily prevent that developer from choosing to locate here. If I were going to spend millions of dollars in a community, I would want to be sure that community was moving into the future in a positive manner.

Voting yes would show that the community supports the future of Bella Vista.

Linda Lloyd Bella Vista No valid recommendations

All opinions and no valid recommendations! We have those who have no clue regarding the covenants under which the POA and property owners are required to abide and no knowledge of who is controlling what portions of city functions, ACC functions and specifically, the responsibility for maintaining the “amenities.”

First and foremost is the fact that every property owner is a member of the Association, like it or not. It doesn’t matter whether you use the facilities or not. The next fact is, the Association is a “nonprofit” organization. As is every item, such as golf, beach and swimming pools. Food facilities, walking trails, lakes, etc., are cost items under its nonprofit status. Yes, fees are attached to various of these items. In a perfect (ideal) situation, all of these “amenities” would be provided at no additional cost to the property owners.

The obvious thorn is the golf operations cost. It’s the least used by the working residents, the “just enjoying the scenery” residents and, well, you get what I’m talking about by now. Lack of retirees is the main problem. The village demographics have obviously changed. Inflation is the big bugger in the mix. Let’s ask the POA directors, who of which are the ones we elected to oversee the overall management of the amenities if they will bite the bullet and consider the possibility of leasing out the golf courses and management of those entities, to outside or property-owner-created groups. It’s something they can do. It can’t sell any amenity, it can lease them.

This I believe would solve a part of the financial bind, would take away the bias among users/non-users issue. In summary, let’s all agree that Bella Vista is about the best there is and worth every penny of our personal investment in this great place.

Don Stockdale Bella Vista Flawed assessment increase

The current Bella Vista POA assessment increase that our board is attempting to have the membership approve has become a “fiasco” pitting unimproved lot owners $0 increase against improved lot owner’s increase of $13.

In our Declaration, Article X, Section 2, Purpose of Assessment: “Shall be used exclusively for the purpose of promoting the recreation, health, safety, and welfare of the residents in the Properties and in particular for the improvements and maintenance of the Properties.” Nowhere does it outline that the $6 part of the $13 assessment increase should be allocated to reduce fees for certain groups at the expense of those thousands of property owners that aren’t financially able or do not use any of the amenities. This assessment proposal is flawed at best and could be determined discriminatory.

This board along with our COO wants you to believe that this benefits all but does not. Everyone believes that we need some dollar amount of an assessment increase, just not to allocate part for reducing fees to a few.

Point: There are three groups who use the amenities the most (25% of the members). They benefit the most in fee reductions (some 80% of the dollar reduction estimate). There are hundreds and hundreds of improved lot owners who do not use amenities and will pay for those reductions. Do you believe that this is the right approach?

This assessment proposal should be defeated and a new plan for an assessment increase should be developed that will be fair to all property owners.

The board has a fiduciary responsibility that includes, ethical and legal obligation to treat all members fairly in the best interest of the entire property owners. They have not in this situation.

Tommy Freytag Bella Vista POA 2020 “bribery” Plan

Let’s call the proposed plan what it really is: The POA 2020 “Bribery” Plan.

The plan gives vacant lot owners unlimited amenity use and reduced golf rates at no additional monthly fee increase but forces developed lot owners to pay monthly fee increases. In effect, the POA Board is “bribing” those vacant lot owners for their “yes” vote.

The majority who don’t use the amenities will “subsidize” the vacant lot owners and the minority who use amenities — most devious and underhanded plan if there ever was one. I have voted for increases in the past but will not vote for this one. A “usage fee” plan like we now have is still the fairest. Adjust the fees as appropriate. And while they’re cutting costs, start at the top where salaries are too high for the jobs and bonuses are over a $100,000 for the top few.

Don Lang Bella Vista Bella Vista ghost of Christmas future

Have you ever thought about what Bella Vista might look like if the POA did not operate our amenities? Here is one scenario I hope never comes to pass.

Golf operations would be converted to four private clubs — Highlands, Scottsdale, Country Club and Dogwood. Club membership would be $10 K per household minimum and dues would be a minimum of $200 per month. Each club would have a manager, golf course superintendent and supporting personnel. If the club had a restaurant or grill, there would be a minimum monthly food charge of $50.

The tennis center and marina would be transferred to private tennis and yacht clubs. It would cost a minimum of $5,000 to join and monthly dues would be a minimum of $100.

I think most of you know this is how private clubs operate. Many are struggling to stay open. Some turn their operations over to for-profit corporations. When this happens, they are at the mercy of corporate executives trying to make as much money as they can.

We might be able to convince the city to operate one swim/recreation center if taxpayers approve a sales tax and property tax increase. There is no way they would consider operating all three. All other amenities would be dropped.

Hopefully, my point is obvious. The current POA structure is the most efficient way to operate our amenities. The personnel expense of six private clubs would far exceed our existing outlay and may or may not provide the quality of maintenance and service we are currently experiencing. Also, many other economies of scale would be lost.

Bah humbug to this Christmas future. Please vote to increase the assessment to a very reasonable $37 per month. Don’t be a scrooge!

Jack Doyle Bella Vista Keep Bella Vista beautiful

Vote yes to increase member fees. After we moved here in 2005, the buildings, golf courses, parks and pavilions began

to fall apart. I was starting to believe I lived in the slummiest city in Northwest Arkansas.

The increase will make certain Bella Vista remains a feast for our eyes and fun for our heart.

Don’t let buildings fall apart. Keep the restaurants looking great, not closed or looking like black holes. Keep adding live music for our enjoyment. Keep providing special activities like appreciation nights.

Keep our parks and pavilions clean with beautiful tables and real restrooms.

Don’t let the golf courses turn brown, filled up with hidden holes so people like my husband can fall and break an ankle or get so rough the ball doesn’t roll but bounces. Keep them in great shape so members, friends and family can enjoy the courses and the clubhouses.

Don’t let the lakes decay and fill with algae and weeds. Keep them full of fish. Let members enjoy pontoon rides, kayaking, fishing and swimming.

Or, if you prefer to live in the slums, you know what to do. Don’t vote or vote no. Either way, you are dooming our home to a dismal destiny.

I’m a 76-year-old widow, and I want my home to be nice.

Please vote yes and keep Bella Vista beautiful.

Andra Atteberry Bella Vista