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Center’s doors stay closed
By Robyn Lydick
Only community homeowners will be allowed access to trails and recreation centers after a heated debate during the Highlands Ranch recreation advisory committee meeting Nov. 18.
Highlands Ranch Community Association staff suggested an experimental program allowing 55-200 families from areas near Highlands Ranch to buy a membership, complete with a 40-percent markup.
What delegates heard from the people in their districts was a resounding “no.”
Jed Caldwell, delegate from Highland Walk neighborhood, said he spoke with many of the residents in his district.
“My sub-HOA board is outraged to hear about [how] nonresidents can use the facilities,” Caldwell said.
He asked when the contract for Wildcat Vista, an enclave of 72 homes that pay a single $40,000 payment to use HRCA facilities, would expire.
Gary Debus, community manager, said that contract comes up each January.
Wildcat Vista has been in the program for many years with no problems.
But that isn’t the program that the HRCA has suggested. The voluntary memberships would be open household by household, and would have been a one-year pilot program.
Some delegates suggested that opening the doors would increase wait times on machines and equipment and others compared letting non-HRCA members in was akin to illegal immigration.
Many questioned what effect nonexclusivity would have on resale values.
Taking out the planned 55 memberships leaves a gap in the 2009 budget of $38,000.
Delegates were also upset with increases in assessments, they will rise to $500, a 3.3 percent increase.
Suresh Damle, delegate from district 89, read a statement during the meeting.
“I am deeply disappointed that the proposed budget contains a proposed increase of $16 per year for each homeowner in this period of deep economic downturn in the nation’s economic conditions,” Damle read. “This is in spite of the fact that over four or five months ago, several delegates and more importantly an former member of the board of directors had suggested that the budget committee look at the possibility of having a 5 percent overall reduction over the 2008 budget for the planning purposes of the 2009 proposed budget. This was suggested in view of the increased foreclosures in the housing market and impending recession [or] depression.”
Nick Robinson, the delegate for 10 and former board member who had challenged the association to trim the budget by 5 percent months before the national stock market and credit issues arose, was less than happy with the budget increasing.
Controller Harry Daughters launched a half-hearted reply to the delegates.
“Last year, you asked us to monitor things like office supplies,” Daughters said. “You’ll notice we cut the amount considerably.”
Office supplies were budgeted at $24,000 for 2008. For 2009, $19,000 was set aside.
Similar cuts appear through the budget, but some areas in the administration area have hefty increases.
Legal fees for assessments were budgeted at $122,000 for 2008. The forecast of actual expenses for the year is $147,025, and the 2009 budget has $160,000 set aside.
The RAC voted to recommend passage of the budget with the voluntary membership option struck.
The board of directors took up the discussion with much more focus on the removed revenue source.
Balancing the irresponsibility of running on a larger deficit than planned and the need to keep all buildings and equipment up to par, the board decided to delay installing a $38,000 UV water filter for the Southridge recreation center.
Highlands Ranch Community Association staff suggested an experimental program allowing 55-200 families from areas near Highlands Ranch to buy a membership, complete with a 40-percent markup.
What delegates heard from the people in their districts was a resounding “no.”
Jed Caldwell, delegate from Highland Walk neighborhood, said he spoke with many of the residents in his district.
“My sub-HOA board is outraged to hear about [how] nonresidents can use the facilities,” Caldwell said.
He asked when the contract for Wildcat Vista, an enclave of 72 homes that pay a single $40,000 payment to use HRCA facilities, would expire.
Gary Debus, community manager, said that contract comes up each January.
Wildcat Vista has been in the program for many years with no problems.
But that isn’t the program that the HRCA has suggested. The voluntary memberships would be open household by household, and would have been a one-year pilot program.
Some delegates suggested that opening the doors would increase wait times on machines and equipment and others compared letting non-HRCA members in was akin to illegal immigration.
Many questioned what effect nonexclusivity would have on resale values.
Taking out the planned 55 memberships leaves a gap in the 2009 budget of $38,000.
Delegates were also upset with increases in assessments, they will rise to $500, a 3.3 percent increase.
Suresh Damle, delegate from district 89, read a statement during the meeting.
“I am deeply disappointed that the proposed budget contains a proposed increase of $16 per year for each homeowner in this period of deep economic downturn in the nation’s economic conditions,” Damle read. “This is in spite of the fact that over four or five months ago, several delegates and more importantly an former member of the board of directors had suggested that the budget committee look at the possibility of having a 5 percent overall reduction over the 2008 budget for the planning purposes of the 2009 proposed budget. This was suggested in view of the increased foreclosures in the housing market and impending recession [or] depression.”
Nick Robinson, the delegate for 10 and former board member who had challenged the association to trim the budget by 5 percent months before the national stock market and credit issues arose, was less than happy with the budget increasing.
Controller Harry Daughters launched a half-hearted reply to the delegates.
“Last year, you asked us to monitor things like office supplies,” Daughters said. “You’ll notice we cut the amount considerably.”
Office supplies were budgeted at $24,000 for 2008. For 2009, $19,000 was set aside.
Similar cuts appear through the budget, but some areas in the administration area have hefty increases.
Legal fees for assessments were budgeted at $122,000 for 2008. The forecast of actual expenses for the year is $147,025, and the 2009 budget has $160,000 set aside.
The RAC voted to recommend passage of the budget with the voluntary membership option struck.
The board of directors took up the discussion with much more focus on the removed revenue source.
Balancing the irresponsibility of running on a larger deficit than planned and the need to keep all buildings and equipment up to par, the board decided to delay installing a $38,000 UV water filter for the Southridge recreation center.
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