We only had three homeowners submit questions in writing at the annual meeting. Here are those questions and answers.
1. Can we do away with the pool and stop putting money into a virtual “black hole”?
The pool is enjoyed by many members and is a nice addition to the neighborhood. Our largest cost right now is mowing and watering our grass. Cost 31k last year not including the water. Second biggest cost is property manager at about 25k per year. We are in the process of cutting all major costs including pool maint. by re-bidding all contracts.
2. Is the property manager paying herself for half of the assessments before they are collected?
No, assessments all go to the HOA. The property manager currently collects half of any late fees.
3. Will the results of the audit be published to the homeowners?
Absolutely.
4. Why does the board not ratify all expenses the property manager pays?
The board does oversee the expenses of the property manager and will be revisiting the granularity of our expense management.
5. Why is it that the president acts as if an audit is such an expense that was “saved” by previous boards when we are spending thousands of dollars on the pool?
The pool is an amenity that the board is required to maintain. We are currently in the process of getting an audit for the 2007 financials.
6. Please set up a website that includes meeting minutes, budgets, major issues such as property sales, etc.
The board will be posting this information to this website and we are in the process of creating a forum where homeowners can voice their concerns. If you have any suggestions of what you’d like to see on the website, please leave a comment.
7. Please explain why the 2008 homeowner’s assessments is budgeted for $89,600 – which is less than the 2007 budget assessments of $92,872 – even though our assessments dues have increased this past year.
The budget lacked the assessment due from the developers and 2008 budget will be amended to reflect those figures.
4 responses so far ↓
1 Duy Tran-Huu // Apr 30, 2008 at 9:54 am
I think the sale of the land for 40000$ increased the tax appraisal for this year… I don’t think it’s fair in this market to get an increase in appraisal. Would the HOA be able to dispute the 2008’s appraisal on behalf of all the homeowners?
Thanks.
2 Joe // May 1, 2008 at 7:42 am
Duy,
Land values increased last year on my appraisal as well. Speaking just of my property, the increase in value this year was inline with that of past years.
We live in a popular area and the land we live on is appreciating. There is no evidence that the sale of the lots was the sole cause of an appraisal increase. It may or may not be one of hundreds of data points the appraisal district uses to assess the value of our homes.
3 Dolores Prince // May 2, 2008 at 10:58 pm
I visited the Travis County Tax Appraisal District website and found that the value of homeowners’ lots in Harris Ridge were increased from $25,000 to $40,000. The lots in Harris Glen (Heyerdahl, Dionysus and Cassat Cove) were appraised at $25,000 to $30,000. These homes are across the drainage easement from my house and back up to the GR. What is the logic in this difference? It should be the other way around. I plan on filling out the protest form and submitting it to the appraisal district — first time in 14 years.
4 Duy Tran-Huu // May 4, 2008 at 12:14 am
Dolores,
Thanks so much for your research. I will file a protest as well.
I hope many other people who had an increase in appraisal will do the same. Hopefully, it will expedite the process for everyone. Filing as a group would be even better (not sure if it’s possible).