Why A Dues Increase

[Harry Bryan]

President Peter Keese responded to the email sent on 8/22/09, See below:
The possible increase in dues would be for general neighborhood improvement and not just for pool expenses; that's why your item # 1 (Ideas on Improving the Neighborhood) is listed; if we can't justify increasing dues by ideas about how the money should be spent, then we shouldn't increase the dues. So Items 1 and 2 are integrally related.

[joethetaxpayer]

Per minutes of the Exec Committee, it appears ther is a huge focus on funds to the Pool / tennis courts. It seems some members of committee want it ALL in one year.
1) Combine Accounts... I haven't been paying BWA dues to suddenly have those fees at disposal of pool/ tennis courts.
2) Emergency Funds ....To appropriate for a pool cover, come on... the pool has been there for 30 years without a cover. There is a fence so safety concern is Not an emergency. If safety is a big concern, then first fund a full time lifeguard!! I paid to the Legal fund, now the "Emergency fund", and expect it to be such. Otherwise this may breach an implied agreement for the retention and use of funds.That would be similar to raising funding for a project and spending it elsewhere. Don't you just love it when our politicians to that to us?? Maybe like paying into Social Security all your life and it then disappear. Spend it on a cover and then what will be there for a True emergency?? 
3) Combining the accounting/ funds and continuing to allow,"outside" individuals to buy memberships would seem that we, the  BWA residents are subsidizing the operation of the pool not only for our residents, but also for use of others. I oppose such a measure.
4) Additonally, because there is potential liability at any pool, were the distinction of "Combined Memeberships vs BWA membership disolved I could not continue any association with BWA because of exposure to any actions against BWA and members. Keep these memberships and funds distinctly seperate so that we have a choice. If the choice of memberships is stripped, you take away our voice.
5) Did Travelers insurance pay ~$8000+ to rebuild entrance and $1000 for Landscaping? Did Contractor charged ~$4500 for the rebuild.  If this is close, maybe any excess from repairs would be appropriate for contribution to pool,  and then does not take from the dues paid to BWA.
6) So after all those above comments... BWA dues increase to $100 with $20K +  In the bank, Why??

[loeblas]

i ave no strong objection to dues increase.  to me 100 is a modest sum for living here.  maybe those who object might instead offer some sweat equity.  say at a $20 per hour rate?

[Resident 2169]

While the dues are modest, I think they have been managed well by the Board and do not require elevation at this time.

[joethetaxpayer]

Many of you may not know this, BWA is a corporation and it's charter filed with the State of tennessee designates "Not For Profit".
If our Balance sheet is increaseing disproprtionate to expenses, then isn't it Profit?
Raising dues will only increase the $20K + in the Account.
No increase in dues at this time please.

[birdfeeder]

The current dues are exceptionally low, and an increase to $100 is reasonable particularly in light of the fact that the payment of dues is not mandatory. I do not believe the members who pay now would decrease in such numbers to make the actual revenue decrease with fewer paying increased amounts, if that even happens at all.
I would be concerned about combining the two associations unless there has been a thorough reading of the by-laws and governing documents and a written legal opinion rendered that would confirm the authority to do so. I understand previously that the recreation association, in effect, has received loans from the homeowner's association and would inquire as to the way in which this was performed.  Should it be required in the future to support the pool, etc., I would not oppose such as long as it was in line with the authority of the governing documents and the proper paperwork was executed to make the "loan" a liability to one association and a receivable to the other with some sort of obligation of return.
On a related matter, what happened to the front entrance? It is bleaker than ever and does not look like anything is happening with it since it was stripped down.
Thanks for any response posted.

[Harry Bryan]

The executive committee minutes of 8/12/09, indicated Joe Gross was waiting until cooler weather and more appropriate time for new landscaping.

http://www.belmontwest.org/minutes08.12.09.pdf

[gafarmer@knology.net]

Well it obvious that the comments made are the "same old ones" and with that in mind it is extremly difficult to move forward which is what needs to be done and has needed to be done for years.  I have sat on the board and tried and fought and they wore us down,at has stepped up and tried again to move forward very hard to leave the battle.  My hat goes of to the families that have stepped up after my family has struggled for years with others to make changes, instead lets support the changes and the families working so hard to improve it for all.  Whether you use the pool or tennis is not the point, the point is they are part of our neighborhood and our responsiblity to maintain, if you are so concerned as the the "house decorating" award why not beautify what is Belmont West! Quit fighting the same battles only to wear people out who are willing to devote hours of their time and their families time to help, let them help.  I support moving forward and to joetaxpayer who does not feel a pool cover is needed, I expect to see you and your family at the pool next March and see for yourself what has to be done to clean it!  I have had my family in water smelling like elephants were in there cleaning for the neighborhood, I hope to see you there!  Instead of stopping progress and moving forward and hindering those who work so hard, help them move ahead and stand a chance to make a difference.  It doesn't matter if you use it or not!  Quit complaining and standing in the way, we have fought that through years of presidents on the board and I beg you to help these current people help us.
 

[joethetaxpayer]

To gafarmer:
I and my family have been in that cleanup water many times, so don't think you are martyrs.
Am I hindering changes and progress, when I raise questions of funding, budgeting, fiscal accountability? Any successful business mgr. operates  in some similar manner.
Simply plan the projects, expenditures and get agreement on source of capital funding.
So in your words, my Comments are "complaining and stopping progress". Still looks like there has been a lot of progress this year!
You may note there are many who feel funds should be seperate, & some do not want increases, so I am not unique. (Maybe I expound somewhat more).
I don't think bridges are built, by any putt- down of those who discuss house decorating awards. That may be their ideas and what they would like. Not everyone's focus is the pool. Maybe those people cannot help due to physical , monetary , family, or time constraints.


It is very pleasing to see that our new officers and committee members have been successful in making a huge change in the pool.
This has been done by planning, meetings, discussions, etc. Very democratic !

[Resident]

Those are excellent comments, joelthetaxpayer. The house decorating suggestion was simply a suggestion. The administrator was asking for suggestions and that is all it was. It seems this forum has a one track mind of only thinking pool, pool, pool. There is more to a community than a pool. When you drive through a subdivision, what attracts you to the neighborhood? Do you look at lawns, nice manicured landscaping, clean curbs and clean gutters or do you go hunting for the community pool? If you have kids, a pool might be a factor before purchasing a home, but I bet you were attracted to all the other amenities before you starting looking for the pool.

[Peter Keese]

Reply to the last two comments:

I appreciate both. I think this Exec Comm is working to hear neighbors' concerns and to invite comments from all as to what will improve the neighborhood for all of us. I like to think that it is democracy at work - a bit cumbersome, perhaps, but it seems to be working.

I'm hoping for a big turnout at our Annual Meeting (Tuesday, October 27, Peace Lutheran Church).

One recent suggestion I've heard that makes sense to me is to establish some sort of "depreciation account" which will accumulate the money necessary to maintain our assets in good working order.

I'd appreciate comments about this.