BELLA VISTA — Once again, the Property Owners Association board is asking members approve an assessment increase.
The nine-member board voted unanimously for the proposal Thursday night, scheduling an election for this fall.
Assessment increases must be approved by members and the last successful proposal was in 2001, when the association implemented a two-tiered system, with nonresidents paying $16 a month while residents pay $24. Several attempts to increase assessments have failed since then including two in 2014.
In the spring of 2014, voters turned down an increase of $13 month for improved lots and $1 a month for unimproved lots. That proposal went with a fee schedule giving improved lot owners some free amenity usage. In September 2014, voters turned down a proposal for a $6 increase for improved lots and a $2 increase for unimproved lots.
The new proposal, introduced by Chairman Bob Brooks, gives members the chance to vote separately for an increase for each class of members. Owners of improved lots would be subject to a $9 increase for a total of $33 a month. Owners of unimproved lots would see an increase of $3 raising their monthly fee to $19.
It wasn’t clear why the two increases would be voted on separately. After the meeting, Brooks said General Manager Tom Judson would have to answer the question at a later date.
Board member Ron Stratton pointed out that Bella Vista will still be less expensive than most other comparable communities because the membership is large enough to spread the cost out. Bella Vista must continue to grow, he said.
At the open forum, which was scheduled before the vote, Jim Parsons spoke against the proposal. Parsons said the board shouldn’t spend money on another election since members have already voiced their opposition.
“What is it about ‘no’ that you don’t understand?” he asked.
Election costs were estimated at $36,000.
Member Steve McKee said he believed the facilities are in good shape so no increase is needed.
Early in the meeting Brooks announced he was pulling a resolution from the agenda to change the cost of amenity use for unimproved lot owners.
In 2015, the board agreed to raise the cost of a photo ID card for nonresident members so it more closely reflected the cost for resident members. The photo ID card gives members a discounted price at some amenities and is needed to register a boat on association lakes. Since nonresidents pay $8 a month less in assessments — $96 less annually, the cost of one nonresident photo ID card was set at $131 (before tax) compared to $35 for a resident photo ID. A second photo ID issued for the same property is $35 for both residents and nonresidents.
Brooks said the twotiered system caused a drop in use of amenities by nonresidents. His proposal would have made the cost of an ID card the same for improved and unimproved lot owners.
After the meeting, he explained the photo ID fee is one of many usage fees addressed in the fee schedule. He said he decided to wait until the entire schedule was under review to suggest the change. The board looks at fees along with the annual budget each fall.
Lynn Atkins can be reached by email at [email protected].
“What is it about ‘no’ that you don’t understand?”
— Jim Parsons, resident