|
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE GOOSE LAKE ASSOCIATION: Our President is dealing with some health issues, so this will be a Vice-President’s letter this month. Our last board meeting had a great turnout. A petition was brought to the Board for review that asked for the elimination of the Lake Patrol Contract and an increase in fines to help with the budget. The By-laws and the petition are to be reviewed by the Association lawyer as soon as possible. After the review is done, the Board will need to decide as to how to proceed. We have to look at all aspects when deciding to enter into or end a contract. To be specific, with Lake Patrol the cost is about $14, 000 and is paid primarily through user fees. The Lake Patrol Contract has nothing to do with the need for a staggered dues increase. The cost of boat stickers went up to pay for services that support the lakes and boating like the lake patrol. In years past, we have had board members do lake patrol which did not work at all. The Lake Patrol has done what they were hired to do and now everyone is following the rules. If the Board was to eliminate Lake Patrol, we would have no enforcement for our rules, and I will not be doing Lake Patrol. The message was clear and I appreciate all input, but this issue is not as simple as just getting rid of them and raising fines. With no enforcement, there are no fines which may sound tempting until we see our lakes in chaos. The current Board has worked hard to ensure that we are getting all the bills paid and continuing the tasks of upkeep on the club, but with costs going up and the amount of volunteers going down, it is our last resort to raise dues. There is an August 10th Open Meeting at the Goose Lake Hall at 7 PM to discuss the dues increase and meet the candidates for the next election. Everyone is encouraged to come to the monthly meetings or call me to discuss anything they have a question about, or if you have any ideas. The annual ballots will be mailed soon and must be received no later than Friday, September 17th by mail or hand delivered to the GLA Office by Saturday, September 18th, 12:00 PM to be counted by the Election Committee beginning at 12:15 PM for results to be reported at the Annual Meeting. Brian Johnson, Vice-President The Board of Directors of the Goose Lake Association at the May 24, 2010 meeting unanimously proposed the following annual dues increases: January, 2011 an increase of $35.00 from $115.00 to $150.00 January, 2013 an increase of $25.00 from $150.00 to $175.00 January 2015 an increase of $25.00 from $175.00 to $200.00 As stated in the March/April 2010 Newsletter, we have had only one $10.00 increase in the last 18 years and only 6 increases in fifty years. For the proposed annual dues increases to go into effect, a simple majority of the members ( property owners) who do vote by mail in the Annual Meeting scheduled for Saturday, September 18, 2010 is required.The current annual dues of $115.00 times 634 property owners produces $72,910.00 in revenue for the Association. The proposed $35.00 increase will generate $23,910.00 in additional revenue, and a $25.00 increase generates $15,850.00 additional.The Board regards the “Bar and Hall” operation as a separate business, and the revenue and expenses are segregated and accounted for separately and fairly on a consistent basis. For our purposes here, we will refer to everything else as the “Association” which includes the Beach, Campground, Playground, Dam, General Office (except charges to the Bar), Lakes, Marinas, Weed Control, Security, Toboggan Hill, etc.The Board has earlier reviewed a 6 year financial history of the “Bar” and the “Association”. At the May 24th, 2010 meeting, we looked at a two year financial history, namely 2008 and 2009. The increased Boat Decals and all the decals and fees now in effect were also the same in 2008 and 2009. Below is a summary of the two years 2008 and 2009 combined: ASSOCIATION BAR & HALL TOTAL GLA Total Revenue 2 yrs. 402,225 608,836 1,011,061 Total Expenses 2 yrs. 446,980 587,064 1,034,044 Total Profit (Loss) 2 yrs. (44,755) 21,772 (21,983) Per Year Average Profit (Loss) (22,377) 11,491 (10,886) The actual Property Owner annual dues received provided $144,320.00 for the two years or 36% of the “Association” revenue total of $402,225.00 for the two years. The Property Owners annual dues of $144,320.00 provided 33% toward the expenses total of $446,980.00 for the two years. The “Association” had a loss of $44,755.00 for the two years or an average loss of $22,377.00.A $35.00 annual increase ( $22,910.00) in dues barely covers this average loss. The current budget for 2010 for the “Association” Projects a $20,621.00 loss. This budgeted loss does not include maintenance and repair projects and desirable improvements which in total have been estimated at $47,300.00.] The remainder of “Association” revenue (approximately 60% +) is provided by Decals for boats, cars, campers, tents, guest fees, A & B Members dues, etc. All of which can be closely related or thought of as “User Fees”. The Bar and Hall has contributed an average profit of $11,491.00 for 2008 and 2009. The Bar is budgeted for 2010 for approximately $20,000.00 profit, but this is currently looking too optimistic. There will be a special informational mailing in August before the Annual Meeting on September 18, 2010. Please plan on attending the special informational meeting on Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at 7:00 PM regarding dues increases, and at that time you can meet some of the Directors, Officers, and candidates running for Directors or Officers. GLA Office Hours Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM Office Phone - (815) 942-4879 Office Fax - (815) 942-4865 Bar - (815) 942-4898 Beach / Campground - (815) 942-9757 |
