Just a few comments on Saturday’s meeting: I agree that we need to start funding a Capital reserve fund. I agree that future property owners should contribute more than they do at present. The transfer fee makes sense but may bite us in the but if property sales continue on the present trend. It appears that property values seem to be declining rather than increasing and it’s almost certain that the seller will pay the fee under present conditions.

However, if the property owners agree to fund the Capital reserve fund we’ll live with it and bite the bullet if necessary. This issue should be a stand-alone vote by the property owners.

I don’t agree with bundling the reserve fund along with giving the board the authority to spend an estimated $10 to $11 million dollars (today’s dollars) on a shopping list of projects. This is not an acceptable business practice in any competent business.

It sounds like we need to do something with some of our buildings. We should make the case for each and do the right thing on a case-by-case basis. We need functional space for our employees to do their work. A well maintained and or remodeled space in our present facilities would have no more affect on our employee moral or on property values than nice new ones will.

If we need a secure place to store fertilizer then build a bunker just for that. If we need to clean up the maintenance shops and make repairs then we should be doing that. If the carpenter shop is falling down we should ask why the carpenters haven’t taken care of their workspace and instruct them to make the necessary repairs.

We seem to be spending a lot of money on fire equipment and personnel and sounds like we want to spend a lot more. I for one need to see what we’re going to get from a new building. If we need a place for the trucks and equipment that’s one thing but if we’re talking about an expensive building that looks pretty it’s another.

If we need office storage space then we should expand the building at the north gate, remodel the existing space and move all our administrative work to that location. Include some meeting space.

We should sell the property the board purchased near station 6 and use that money to fund some of our immediate needs. I didn’t get a vote on that poor decision.

Bottom line I’ll feel a lot better if we address each of our needs one by one, as we need them. I heard the implied threat that the board could raise our fees by $40.00 per month if they chose to do so. They may choose to do that but how that money is spent should be left up to the property owners.

I’m sorry but I’m just not willing to leave a blank signed check for who knows how many million dollars lying around the POA office.