March President’s Comments

At the February 2017 Board Meeting, questions arose over the Impact Fee.  The Impact Fee is charged at each property transfer, except in the death of an owner passing his property on to family heirs.  The current Impact Fee is $1,000.   The amount collected in 2016 was $76,000.  The purpose of the Impact Fee is to have new property owners contribute to the roads, general fund and amenities which is how the Impact Fee is allocated.  The Board subsequently discussed the Impact Fee and decided to make no changes to how the Impact Fee is administered or to the amount.

As we discussed at the December and February meetings, the Association will host Roger Corlett, the Ashtabula County Auditor.  Mr. Corlett will discuss how real estate taxes are accessed, collected, and dispersed.  At Mr Corlett’s request, this first meeting will be with the Board, and the Association Operations Manager.  A subsequent meeting will then be planned with the Membership.

Important Item:  The next several Board Meetings, including the April 6^th meeting, will be held at the Clubhouse followed by a Members reception. Light refreshments will be provided as an opportunity to interact with the Board, Club Presidents, and one another.

Last Saturday, the Winterfest, a planned outdoor activity, was held indoors at the Clubhouse, due to the lack of winter weather.  There were games, crafts, movies, and treats for all.  The event was Free.  The Board wishes to thank Office Employee, Jen Addair, Association Maintenance and Board Member/President of STARS, Jack McMillin, and their throng of STARS Club volunteers for a fun day.  Everyone that attended would have to agree that the kids had a good time and the adults had a good time watching them have a good time.  The Board hopes that STARS does this again.

The nominations to the Board for the 2017 Election closed on February 28, 2017 at 1:00pm.  There are two seats open for the next three years.  The qualified candidates are incumbents:  Jim Swartz, and Ron Morris.  Update: Based on the By-Laws, being the same number of candidates as positions available, the Board can vote to eliminate the Ballot which was done at the March Board Meeting.  Therefore, there will be no Ballot.  There is an out-of-pocket savings as well as a considerable time savings.

The Annual Meeting will be held at the Clubhouse on Saturday April 29, 2017, 1pm.  A summary of the previous year will be covered.  Refreshments will be served at the end.  And this year the Board will host a tour of the new Office following the refreshments at the Clubhouse.