One of the ongoing issues for unit owners is the relentless nature of annual assessment increases. These are necesary to combat the ever increasing costs of energy, for example. In this year alone, electricity is supposed to increase 6-1/2%.
The association has high efficiency lighting, but there should be some other great ideas out there. If you have any suggestions, let me know.
Here are a few "energy and utility" cost saving methods that might be appropriate for consideraton. Of course, there are other areas of operation in which savings might be achieved.
Solar Power Roof Fans.
Variable Speed AC Drive (VS) for stream pumps.
Ban on use of association water for cleaning automobiles, etc.
Energy Credits applied to Roof Projects and improved insulation? Note (1).
I am certain there are other areas that we could address, such as ongoing maintenance items.
Notes and Comments:
(1) This is added after the presidential election. President-elect Obama has stated that he wants to promote energy initiatives. It's too early to determine what will occur, but there may be incentives applicable to our roofing project.
Above: Intermittently, for a time, boards informed owners of association finances
Newsletter 2008 excerpt is an example of earlier board willingness to communicate with owners.
The boards of 2019-2021 prefer not to do so.
https://tinyurl.com/BLMH2021
Life and observations in a HOA in the Briarcliffe Subdivision of Wheaton Illinois
Best if viewed on a PC
"Briarcliffe Lakes Manor Homes" and "Briarcliffe Lakes Homeowners Association"
Updated Surplus Numbers
Updated Surplus Numbers: Actual surplus 2018 per audit was $85,163.
Boards 2011-2018 implemented policies and procedures with specific goals:
stabilize owner fees, achieve maintenance objectives and achieve annual budget surpluses.
Any surplus was retained by the association.
The board elected in fall 2018 decided to increase owner fees, even in view of a large potential surplus
Average fees prior to 2019
Average fees per owner prior to 2019:
RED indicates the consequences had boards continued the fee policies prior to 2010,
BLUE indicates actual fees. These moderated when better policies and financial controls were put in place by boards
Better budgeting could have resulted in lower fees
Better budgeting could have resulted in lower fees:
RED line = actual fees enacted by boards,
BLUE line = alternate, fees, ultimately lower with same association income lower had
boards used better financial controls and focused on long term fee stability
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