REPLY to my email of the one of Directors of the Tower Hello Mr Viens, thanks for making me part of the comments expressed by some residents about the 2015 budget. As you may know, I am a member of the budget Committee, on which I served three days this summer to formulate a budget proposal that was discussed in detail during four working sessions of the Board of Directors in September where all residents were allowed to speak. These sessions, sometimes heated, are television, and you can judge by you of the difficulty of reaching a consensus on the budget priorities of our association: e pluribus unum does appear to be the standard to Hollybrook. Hollybrook as all economic actors must make choices, both at the level of expenditures than revenues. We are a condominium of 40 years, and our infrastructure must be maintained in good working order, for the benefit of all. An example of the budget Committee suggested reserves for the plumbing, roofs, the refurbishment of common areas, and paint to avoid surprises. The original budget proposed by the administration would have consequence an increase of 8% condo fees. Several members of the Committee felt this exaggerated increase, and we gave as a working hypothesis in the development of the budget proposal that any increase above 5% would be a problem. We therefore made choices, cut expenditure proposed, and looked on the side of revenues to arrive at a balanced budget. Ultimately, the increase in costs represents an increase of 4.33% (including the increase in $5 for cable), giving rise to criticism, but that is reasonable in the circumstances. To maintain costs less than 5%, the Committee has the look at the revenues, and proposed an increase in the contribution of the golf to the income of the condominium. We also examined other possibilities, for example to impose charges for the tennis and golf by 3, as was the case in in the past, increase the locker rental fees, etc..mais finally Hollybrook has few sources of income, with the exception of golf, and attempts to generate additional funds have generally been rejected by the Community (we could discuss further before in other circumstances). Finally, the Committee suggested to increase the contribution of the golf of $610,000 in 2014. to $1,000,000 in 2015, representing about 13% of the total budget to operate Hollybrook. The Committee left the Committee of golf (green Committee) to define how to do: increase in the cart fees, sales of subscriptions for summer, outdoor tournaments, etc...I am personally prepared to consider favourably any recommendation of the Committee of golf that would reduce cart fees increase, but honestly, I would be remiss in my responsibilities as trustee in calling into question the budgetary balance and the financial health of the association. It means that all and everyone would benefit from services... and pay the cheapest possible. Everyone has his personal reasons list why reside at Hollybrook, and each has its little idea on the services and facilities that should be paid by others. We can cut back on maintenance expenses, we can reduce expenditures for landscaping, security, cut staff. Some older permanent resident of Hollybrook already consider that the condo fees are too high, and oppose any improvement of condominium expenses, including expenditures for renovation of golf this year. The role of the Board of Directors is to attempt to make consensus and manage expectations, and this is not easy, believe me! One final point. Some seasonal residents seem to take the attitude that their interests are not represented in the Council. It would be a mistake in my opinion create two classes of residents: those who reside in Hollybrook year-round and seasonal residents (Canadians or Americans). Certainly, the priorities may differ on some points, but each entity benefits from the presence of others. Hollybrook is a complex community in multiple interests: retirement assets vs. retirees aged, residents permanent vs. Snowbirds, golfers vs. non-golfers, etc.I myself am a seasonal resident, like several other members of the Council. Like my colleagues, Ive never adopted the attitude that I was representing a specific category of residents, unless of course the specific aspects of the towers of which I am the Director. The members of the Council are required by Florida law to be trustees of the interests of the whole of the community. Once again, I thank you comments, and feel free to disseminate this communication on the web site. It remains for me to wish you a great winter season in our tropical paradise. Claude-André Lachance Director
Posted on: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 11:53:32 +0000
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