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Important: Lake Hills Association Dues Increase Proposal - Your Support Needed
We are writing to inform you about an important proposal regarding the future of our community. After more than 20 years without an adjustment, the LHA Board of Governors is proposing a necessary increase in annual dues to ensure the continued health and stability of our association.
Why is this necessary?
Since 2021, our association insurance costs have increased by 190%, and lake water treatment costs have risen by 91%. These two expenses alone now account for nearly half of our annual budget.
Our current financial reserves, essential for emergencies and long-term maintenance, are at risk of depletion within the next eight years.
Engineers who inspect our dam have recommended critical maintenance and upgrades that will cost several hundred thousand dollars.
The Proposal:
Increase annual dues to $575 (from the current $400).
Allow the Board the flexibility to adjust dues annually by an amount up to, but not exceeding, the Consumer Price Index (CPI), with a 5% cap.
Your support is essential to preserving the quality and value of our shared resources and community. Without this increase, we risk jeopardizing the long-term health of our lake and the overall value of our properties.
Next Steps - Meeting & Voting Details:
In the coming weeks, district board members will follow up with residents to discuss the proposal in greater detail and gather votes.
This proposal will be presented at the annual meeting, and a special meeting to vote in person will be held in February.
Please read the proposal below and consider voting through proxy in advance of the special meeting by printing out the "proxy vote" form and submitting it as instructed in the document.
If you are in support of this initiative, please sign your name on the form next to “I accept the proposal.”
Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your ongoing commitment to our community. Together, we can ensure a sustainable and thriving future for the Lake Hills Association.
I am voting NO on the dues increase for two reasons:
The amount is excessive as a one year bump up in dues.
The lack of notice to families in this community so that they can plan and budget accordingly is patently unfair.
Keeping pace with the increases in our costs to run the Association is absolutely necessary. The proposed increase is excessive, representing a 43.75% increase in dues in one year, and with such short notice to families in this community is not only unfair but tone deaf to the financial burdens and strains that many are facing, particularly those seniors and fixed income residents.
This increase should be phased in over time.
Beyond that, a thorough assessment of…
We understand that prices for labor and materials do increase. It is important that we keep the lake in excellent condition as it will keep our real estate and home values. Our personal opinion is that there are professionals on the board who have the qualifications to
do what is best for the lake and the neighbors. I suggest as other members have to increase the dues gradually over 5 years. An example (just a suggestion) of 5 years dues that can be adjusted. Year 1/400.00 year2/440.00 year3/485.00 year4/535.00 year5/590.00 Also to examine a dues adjustment for retired and senior citizens . And possibly a different dues schedule for residents who live on the lake or across the street from the lake.
What percentage of members do not pay their dues? Any recourse in collecting besides putting a lien on their property?
We will go with the majority, and we understand that adjustments for inflation must be made, but please make the increase in dues in bite-sized morsels, henceforth. It is easier to absorb small increases in dues every couple of years rather than such a sudden surge.
I encourage the board to explore additional revenue sources to help offset costs. One option is implementing a yearly fee for boats stored at the beaches, similar to Fairfield Beach, which could generate funds to help cover the rising expenses.