Opening membership outside of existing community association
members arose in discussions about the proposed Highlands Ranch
Community Association budget for 2009.
The contentious proposal is the basis for a portion, $38,500 of
the $21.1 million combined HRCA budgets.
That number is based on 55 families paying $700 per year, a 40
percent premium over a homeowner’s assessments.
Gary Debus, community manager, told delegates at the Oct. 21
recreation advisory committee meeting that 33 families expressed
interest in the expanded membership proposal.
Several delegates asked management to reconsider the move,
citing concerns over property values if anyone could use the
facilities.
Despite this, assessments are expected to rise by $16 per
household for the year.
HRCA assessments are actually two, one for the administrative
side, where covenant control, accounting, community events and
other functions are handled and recreation side where the sports
leagues, classes and recreation centers are handled.
On the recreation side, the assessment could be increasing by
$15, or 3.46 percent with administration increasing $1, or 2
percent.
Delegates will vote on their recommendation to the board of
directors Nov. 18.
The board can make its decision that same night.
Delegates express their opinions but board members are free to
vote any way they choose.
The Mansion fund, the contentious issue last budget process, has
been dropped and money returned to operating funds.
The budget was created with some basic assumptions — that
electricity costs would increase 20 percent, natural gas by 5
percent, and water by 3 percent.
What is striking is the finance committee’s calculations of
rates compared to 2007’s budget: natural gas up 53 percent,
electricity up 15 percent and water up 9 percent.
To help counter utilities, reduced hours for recreation centers
are proposed.
See www.highlandsranchherald.com
for a list of proposed changes.
More members, higher assessments on homeowners