BELLA VISTA — Members of the Bella Vista Property Owners Association will have the chance to vote on a new increased assessment at the regular board election in May, after action by the POA Board of Directors on Thursday.

The board has struggled to increase revenue since studying a 10-year baseline review of finances in November 2012 that showed expenses quickly outpacing revenue. At least three different plans to increase assessments were discussed during the last year, but none were taken to the membership for a vote. Members, including most property owners inside the city, as well as hundreds of nonresident lot owners, must approve any increase in assessments, according to the POA governing documents.

The latest proposal responds to what members said they wanted at forums held throughout 2013, said Charlie Teal, board chairman. But it also contains regular increases that will help revenue keep pace with inflation.

If the proposal passes, members who own an improved lot will see their assessments increase from $24 to $37 each month. Additionally, there will be a $1 increase annually beginning in 2016.

Members who own an unimproved lot — a lot without a water meter — would have an increased assessment of $1, raising their monthly fee to $17, plus an additional 5o cents each year.

Teal also unveiled a fee schedule that would go along with the assessment increase, although the board has the authority to set fees without an election. The new fee schedule gives resident members a break on most of the fees to use Bella Vista amenities. Nonresident members who use the amenities could voluntarily pay a monthly assessment access fee and gain the same status.

There are actually four categories of fees, Teal said. Resident members and nonresident members who pay the access fee could use the gun range, pools, fitness centers, lakes and parks for free. They will pay fees for golf, but those fees will go down for the top two categories of members. They will also pay for marina slips and RV storage. Nonresident members who don’t pay the access fee would have the option of using amenities by paying entry fees. Guests would also pay entry fees at many amenities.

Teal promised the assessment plan and fee schedule will be explained at three Talk To The Board Forums scheduled in February and March, as well as in POA publications.

In other business, five candidates have successfully petitioned to be on the May ballot for four seats on the POA board. Two candidates, Ruth Hatcher and Brad Morris, are currently serving on the board after being appointed to vacant seats. The other three candidates are Bob Brooks, John Nuttall and Charles Whittenberg.