Page 3 - The Friday Flyer ● March 30, 2018

MARCH 30, 2018 THE FRIDAY FLYER A-3

Candidates discuss

assessments, amenities

The five-member Canyon Lake Prop- $3,000 this would generate thousands of
erty Owners Association Board of Di- dollars of income for the golf course. In
rectors are collectively responsible for the past, fees were increased but the in-
the management and operation of the crease failed to generate any additional
CLPOA’s business affairs. The board income. Analysis of the last 12 months PHOTO BY DONNA RITCHIE
members are elected for staggered two- of golf play last year indicates that in-
year terms. creased fee was most likely going to re-
Two of the five seats are up for elec- duce the number of rounds played and
tion on May 10 when the two-year terms the golf course income. From left, POA candidates Dudley Thompson, Dale Welty and Jim Barringham.
of Paul Queen and Dale Welty expire. In To decrease the subsidy to the golf
the order they will be listed on the ballot, course we need a strong marketing plan Hills, Canyon Hills, Audie Murphy and at ways to economize our operational
candidates are incumbent Dale Welty, to attract more Canyon Lake members other nearby areas pay $150 to $200 or cost as well as our amenity cost for our
Dudley Thompson and Jim Barringham. and outside memberships. In 2016, the more per month for green belts, a park homeowners, without giving up quality.
In the weeks leading up to the elec- POA and members of the golf com- and a pool. I truly believe the amount We are lucky to have so many ameni-
tion, The Friday Flyer will feature a munity began an aggressive marketing Canyon Lake property owners pay over- ties in our community. We do not want
series of questions to the candidates. campaign to attract annual outside mem- all is definitely reasonable. to lose any of our amenities. Finding
During this period, residents will have berships to Canyon Lake. The original The majority of our amenities are not ways to economize, we will be able to
a chance to hear directly from the can- $2,400 annual rate brought in an over 40 revenue producing and are not designed add other amenities to our community
didates and learn what they hope to ac- members. A recent study indicated there to be so. We don’t have fees to use the without increasing the POA dues.
complish if elected to serve a two-year are a number of golfers in our area that parks and beaches, swimming pool, ten- Two amenities I find troubling are the
term on the CLPOA Board of Directors. may have an interest in our golf course nis and pickleball courts, dog park, en- Lighthouse Restaurant with a projected
In this second installment of ques- memberships. try gates, lake and others. Some, such as loss of $187,248 and our Country Club
tions for the candidates, The Friday Fly- The size of the subsidies is primarily the golf course, two restaurants, camp- with a projected loss of $194,976. The
er invited them to answer the following going to be determined by the participa- ground, equestrian center and boat slips, subsidized cost for these two amenities
question in 500 or fewer words: tion of community members themselves. have historically generated revenue, al- for next fiscal year is projected to be
Question: Member dues subsidize Reducing the subsidises gives us an op- though perhaps not enough to support $382,224. How can you sell food and
several revenue-producing amenities portunity to keep our POA assessments themselves. The question is, do we ex- drinks and not (at least) break even? I
in the community. Is the amount Can- down and to dedicated funds to invest pect them to support themselves? Or are believe our homeowners have the right
yon Lake property owners pay overall in our future so we can ensure Canyon we willing to subsidize these amenities to know why. If elected, I will do my
reasonable? Are there specific subsidies Lake stays a first class community. to enjoy the benefits they bring to the best to find out and work on lowering
you would like to see reduced? If so, There is also an Advisory Vote on the community and property values? these expenses and at the same time
what would you try to do to help those ballot this year that will allow the mem- I believe that our amenities must be improving the quality of food and ser-
amenities support themselves? bers to choose a more all-inclusive fee managed efficiently and properly, and vice. When you look at these kinds of
if fees are charged, the fees must be
Dale Welty structure for community amenities. This competitive in the marketplace and the subsidies, in 10 years that calculates to
idea was brought forward to the board
a loss of $3,822,240 without inflation.
I believe that we would like to see all by one of the board of directors. The remaining subsidy should be shared by Just think what our community could do
the subsidies of our income generating board has placed this on the agenda to the entire community. Managed prop- with almost $4 million in enhancing our
amenities reduced. The primary income see if the community would support this erly is a key component. I am proud to “Little Bit of Paradise.”
generating amenities are the camp- fee structure change. While this change say that as a member of the POA Fi- The golf course subsidy has been
ground, equestrian center, restaurants would significantly increase the mem- nance Committee and Green Committee looked at for many years. The subsi-
and golf course. bers’ use of our subsidized amenities, I I have worked to implement projects and dized cost to our homeowners next fis-
The campground requires the least do not believe this fee structure change develop a fee schedule that is projected cal year is $747,072. There may be some
budgeted subsidy of $30,000 and with is something the board should do with- to reduce the current golf course subsidy cost-saving to be found. If we were to
the campground remodel and upgrade out clear support from the members. by over $200,000 annually. Reducing review all the contracts and perhaps put
we will likely see the campground sub- Dudley Thompson subsidies does not always mean raising them out to bid we might find some sav-
sidy reduced further. fees. Better use of amenities can go a ings. Most golf courses are dealing with
The equestrian center has a budget One definition of amenity is, “In real long way in reducing costs. rising cost and declining membership.
subsidy of $92,000, there are a number estate, an amenity is something consid- I will also be focused on improving The only solution, I believe, in reduc-
of open stalls that could be rented. The ered to benefit a property and thereby existing amenities and developing new
ones that will enhance our 50-year-old ing this subsidy is to increase the num-
POA recently upgraded the sand base in increase its value.” That certainly ap- community. Youth-oriented amenities, ber of golfers that play at our beautiful
the arena that provides a better footing plies to amenities in Canyon Lake. Two like the proposed pump track and splash golf course. Although I am not a golfer,
for horses; other improvements should major amenities, the lake and the golf
be done to the equestrian center to at- course, are prime examples of an ame- pads, would be great additions. Atten- I would personally like to work with
tion to the lake to ensure healthier and the golf community on building a plan
tract more horses to rent equestrian cen- nity benefitting property value. And if
ter stalls. not properly maintained, amenities can cleaner water by appropriate dredging to reduce our golf course subsidy. I be-
The restaurants have a budgeted sub- have a negative effect on property value. and an erosion control plan are impor- lieve getting input from our community
sidy of $563,000. While the subsidy is Amenities, or lack thereof, are one of tant to protect this existing amenity. And is very important as we work together in
large, we have been seeing significant the factors that differentiate communi- certainly, the rehabilitation of our road- achieving this goal.
improvement in the financial perfor- ties. In Canyon Lake, our membership ways is a must. If elected, I will represent all the
mance of the restaurants over the last assessment subsidizes our amenities. I want to put my experience and ener- homeowners. I promise to use my busi-
year. Anticipating continuing improve- Security is our largest subsidized ame- gy to work on behalf of all of the Canyon ness background to help identify prob-
ments, the budgeted subsidy for the res- nity, followed by the lake, golf course Lake community and I will be focused lems, find solutions, protect all our great
taurants this year has been reduced to and our two restaurants. Other ameni- on making Canyon Lake “A better Bit amenities and keep our association fees
$382,000. Our restaurants have the best ties include multiple parks and beaches, of Paradise.” affordable for all. Do you believe our
views of any restaurants in the area. We swimming pool, Little League fields, Jim Barringham current POA dues are reasonable? I
should expand outside dining facilities tennis and pickleball courts, equestrian would love to hear your thoughts and
by adding shade, heating and misters. center, campground, dog park, basket- As a homeowner, I believe our cur- concerns about the costs associated with
The golf course has a budgeted sub- ball courts, landscaped roadways, meet- rent board has done an excellent job in our amenities and your POA dues. Con-
sidy of $968,000. Next year’s budget ing rooms and probably more that I can’t building our reserves, maintaining our cerning the all-inclusive Advisory Vote
has been reduced to $747,000. There is a think of. We get all of this for about $250 fees and enhancing our amenities. That on the ballot in the upcoming election, I
belief that if we raised the annual fee to per month. Our neighbors in Tuscany being said, we should always be looking do not support it.

THE FRIDAY FLYER

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