BELLA VISTA -- The Property Owners Association board tightened up a water system policy considered controversial when it passed several years ago.
The first reading of changes to policy passed at Thursday's meeting.
In March 2011, the board passed a policy tying water service to assessment payments. Because the association operates the water system, the policy gave the organization the ability to cut off water service to members $200 behind in monthly assessments. Since, three lawsuits and a complaint with the attorney general have been filed, but the policy stands.
General manager Tom Judson asked the board to lower the threshold for water shutoffs. Since $2oo represents about eight months of assessments, he considers it too high. The more assessments a member owes, the more difficult it is for the member to catch up, he told the board.
He suggested a policy allowing the association to cut off water when a member is two months behind in assessments.
As long as a member is trying to catch up, water won't be cut off, Judson said. His staff will work out a payment plan. Also, he pointed out the change in policy won't go in effect immediately. Members can learn about the policy and consider their options for several months.
A second reading is needed to complete the approval process.
The board was evenly split on selling property north of the city and that meant the motion failed and the sale won't go through.
At last week's work session, two association members spoke about their $700,000 offer for land owned by the association, straddling the Arkansas-Missouri border. The land was purchased in 2000 to build another golf course, but since then golf rounds have dropped. The land was never brought into the association. Kim and Alan Anschutz live in Bella Vista and board their horses elsewhere. They wanted to buy the land and build a horse farm.
Before the discussion started, the board heard from Linda Lloyd, the owner of Acorn Realty, who warned many members believe the board has been fiscally irresponsible and that's why they vote against every assessment increase proposal. If the board turns down a good offer on the land, members will not vote to raise the assessment, she said.
Board member Ruth Hatcher said she wanted to wait for a long range plan before selling the property. Association staff is working on the plan and Judson expects it to be complete by the first of the year.
Bruce Portillo was in favor of the sale, arguing the association could use the proceeds on several projects.
The $700,000 isn't really significant when you consider the entire budget, Ron Stratton said. The 2016 budget shows more than $16 million in income and a similar amount in expenses.
The discussion, Stratton said, isn't about another golf course, but about the land sale. Any use of the land is probably too far in the future to even be in the long range plan, he said. However, the board might consider the possibility of building a golf course on the land if flooding continues to damage the two courses in the valley. At some point those courses may need to be replaced.
NW News on 04/22/2016