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Good news on lot fee?

Budget discussion at LoW

Date published: 11/18/2007

By ROBIN KNEPPER

No one is ever completely happy when the increase in the annual lot assessment at Lake of the Woods is announced, but next year's proposed increase at the Orange County subdivision is much smaller than usual.

After several years of double-digit increases, the proposed fiscal 2008 assessment is $1,128 per lot--a $60, or 5.6 percent, increase over the fiscal 2007 assessment.

Lake of the Woods has 4,260 lots, and an estimated population of 8,000. Its fiscal year begins May 1.

In his proposed budget to the board of directors and the finance committee, General Manager John Bailey laid out a spending plan for $8.4 million, up from $7.6 million for fiscal 2007.

Income is expected to be $3.6 million, leaving a deficit of $4.8 million to be paid by lot owners.

At a public hearing on the proposed budget yesterday, finance committee Chairman Pete Rainey laid out Bailey's budget and heard from residents who were not happy with certain aspects of it.

The greatest bone of contention is the increase in fees to store recreational vehicles.

Resident Vera Moody called the increase in rental charges for RVs "inequitable and discriminatory." The proposed fee increase for RVs from is $360 to $500, while the fee for boat storage in the same lot remains at $360. Both use the same-sized spaces in the 175-space storage lot.

Boat owners are allowed to store boats on their own property, she added, while RV owners are required to use the association-owned lot.

Resident Nancy Taylor echoed Moody's objections.

"If the intent is to raise money, why not raise the fees on all things that are stored? Why single out RVs, when we can't move them to our own lots?

"We don't mind paying our way, but we don't like being taken advantage of."

"It's totally unfair what's being done to the RV owners," said resident Doug Chidlow after the public hearing. "They're getting screwed to the wall, but if they went somewhere else [to store their RVs] it would cost them significantly more."

Other speakers objected to a proposed increase in fees for use of the swimming pools and at the golf course, perennial subjects of controversy and debate.

But even eliminating fees at tennis courts drew criticism.

"I don't think tennis should be a free ride," said resident Alicia Payne, "while fees are raised on other amenities."

"Those who don't like the proposed fee structures get to speak their minds," said Rainey.

The finance committee will meet Dec. 3 and will review the fees for RV parking and use of the pools, golf course and tennis courts.

Other budget items likely to be addressed are the decrease in the cost of teen ID cards and a proposed $50,000 study to consider a new pool and fitness center.

The general manager and the finance committee will meet and discuss possible changes to the proposed budget and will present a recommended budget to the board of directors at their regular meeting Dec. 1. Lots owners will have two months to make comments. The board of directors will adopt the budget and set the assessment in February. Lake of the Woods' 2008 fiscal year begins May 1.

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Date published: 11/18/2007