A couple of years ago, I explained to our general manager my position regarding interactive websites (something g most organizations don't want to be involved with). It was a pretty simple philosophy, in that if I couldn't rationally explain why I was doing something, I probably shouldn't be doing it. Perhaps that was why I was comfortable running three interactive websites. But I digress from the point of this thread (well kind of). Just today I caught a rumor flying about concerning an action the RCSC board of directors may be considering. Hopefully I am dead wrong (and will be the first to say so), but the speculation is they are considering raising the Preservation and Improvement fee from $3000 to $3500. This board wouldn't be the first to talk about it, but during my three year term, it never saw the light of day. Now to hear it may be an impending action (especially when there has been nothing said) is troubling. I opened with my theory regarding being able to rationalize my actions and that was for a reason. Seems to me if this is truly something they are considering, I'd love to hear why? Clearly we aren't in need of it, our revenues are as strong or stronger than ever. Our projects, which have been substantial, have all been paid for with cash. The Hovnanian project will increase our PIF by massive numbers (because there is an access fee to the builder as well as the $3000 paid at point of sale). Between the two, it will bring in over a million dollars. Like I say, I hope I am wrong, but if not, be assured I will be in peanut gallery when the board tries to sell me/us this one.
There has been a strong rumor going around about the current board wanting to raise the PIF (Property Improvement Fee) to $3500 or $4000 per home bought and sold in Sun City. There is this misguided belief these fees do not impact current residents, as it is paid for by the purchaser of the home when the property is sold. I am here to tell you this innocuous little statement is not the truth. My Aunt’s house was on the market for several months. Month’s you say, in today’s market? Yep, because the contracts brought to the table wanted my Aunt to pay for the PIF out of her proceeds. This would have meant she would have lost, in the current RCSC contract amount, $3000.00. Think of all of the estates, and trustees, heirs to these properties, losing more money to settle estates, pay for ongoing long term care, and frankly being taken to the cleaners when there is no need for an increase. The new signs, stating Welcome to the “original Fun City” needs to be changed to the “city with its hands in your pocket.” The PIF, on a yearly basis, pulls an additional 20-30% more then what the budget reflects. At anytime, there are millions of dollars in this fund, as this is how all of the projects have been done, well beyond the extent of what was supposed to be a project to improve irrigation. Remodeled golf courses and additions to buildings are just a few of the millions spent on golf alone in Sun City. What about the newly remodeled Marinette, the new tennis courts, the lawn bowling greens, the new Oakmont water volley ball court, and the list goes on. All paid in cash with PIF funds, without an increase. Great news for the residents of Sun City, all of these items paid for with no debt created. In other words there is plenty of money already in the fund to make these types of major projects come to life, and it was all done without an increase to the PIF. The new subdivision of 140 homes to be built by K. Hovnanian, each lot will pay $2500.00 just to break ground in Sun City, not including the PIF money due for each home. Take that amount times 140 lots, and I think the money amount is staggering. Again, no need for a raise in the PIF. Part of the rumor is this “increase” is needed to redo South golf course Pro Shop. Get the ‘Ad Hoc” Long range planning together and let them decide what can be moved to another time slot to update South. Many items have been moved around on the long range plan, just move some more, don’t raise fees. Don’t we have a “standing committee” called the communication and outreach committee? Why is this not being shopped to the community for input? Don’t give me the people elected the elite nine to make decisions for the entire community, therefore, no need to clue them in. This is not open communications as offered by the members of the board; this is back room, sleight of hand sneaky stuff. If anyone else out there feels the board has their hands in your pocket, and you don’t approve, please email them, mail, call, anyway you have to communicate, and let them know how you feel about adding another $500 or $1000 to the PIF. If you are a realtor, let them know the impact of what this will have on your buyers. Tell the board there is already tons of money in the fund with more to come, no need to add to the burden. The next member exchange meeting is Monday, April 13th at 9am at the Lakeview center. This is the meeting that does not have a timer, and everyone has a chance to speak. Please do come and be heard. Carole Martinez
May all of this be pure speculation and rumor. I would dearly hate to see the positive path Sun City has taken with the community and its growth, and throw it out the window. There appears to no good reason to raise the PIF, based upon what I have read here, so please, RCSC board, have hearings, let the community know of the intent. If this is all rumors and speculation, please quash these rumors as quickly as possible.
Yes, hopefully this is just rumor or a ploy to get more people involved in meetings. The Lakeview Social Hall wouldn't be big enough for the Board/Member Exchange on the 13th if this turns out to be fact. Before this would be a motion coming up for a Board vote it had better be on the agenda prior to an Exchange meeting for input from member cardholders. I can see NO reason to increase the PIF. As much as we would like to see everything on the wish list completed, we must wait until the funds have been accumulated at the current amount. If this has to do with providing a building for the new Automobile Restoration Club, they will just have to wait until the funds are available or do their own fundraising to purchase a building.
FYI, Motion number three is to raise the PIF $500 starting in October of 2015. Rumor Confirmed. No discussion with the members as to why, no meetings to gather input, just do it, because they can. So much for the communications and outreach committee, apparently they got skunked on this one too.
I, too, have been watching for the PIF to come up on the Board/Member Exchange agenda. My heart sunk when I saw it in print. The Member Communications Committee stressed in years past that the Board must be out front with information on items such as this increase without explanation. WHY IS THE INCREASE NEEDED??? It shouldn't be a vague notion that the funds will be needed in the future. There was no advance information from the Finance Committee, Communications(LOL) or the "ad hoc" Long Range Committee.(should be renamed the Floating Range) Is the Vintage Car Club putting pressure on the Board/RCSC to purchase a building for them? They need to wait their turn for funds. Is it all the extras added to the golf courses that now require additional funds? If so, scale back unneeded items until the funds are there. The new development may or may not generate more funds but it was not guaranteed when the last Long Range Plan was released. No increase is needed at this time. There should have been an email blast or news release out in front of this motion for an increase. I hope the answers will be on point at the Exchange meeting on Monday. If enough members are aware of this item the room may not be large enough! I am so positive about life in Sun City except for the lack of communication between the RCSC, Board of Directors and Member Cardholders.
Awesome article in the Independent by Carole Martinez, former board member on this very topic. It's a must read for anyone interested in this topic.
Bill- As a former board member yourself, any idea what projects are creating the need for this PIF increase? If this increase is to cover the purchase of commercial property for new construction, it will impact the annual assessment because of additional utilities, insurance and personnel. Speculate please....
Just a wag (wild assed guess) but at last years end SCHOA had approached us about the condition of the walls around Sun City. No one owns them (quite an oddity) and no one has the financial where-with-all to address their painting and repair other than the RCSC. As I was going off the board we asked the assistant gm to get costs for an ongoing long term project. Perhaps this is the reason, but I would like to see us have a far better handle on the next ten years expenditures before we see any increase in the PIF.
Thanks for your WAG. Since the new long range plan was just voted in by the Board, wouldn't an estimate on a wall project have been noted somewhere in the figures? Anyone else have a guess?
Tear down the trades building behind the bowling alley and build new offices for the management team?
Maybe the multi-use performance center at Bell Center which would seat about 400+ people? I could support that plan! This is an item that has been on the long range planning wish list for many years. Did you happen to catch the online quote by RCSC on the Newszap site this morning about this increase? Not what I call effective communications.
"Tear down the trades building behind the bowling alley and build new offices for the management team?" The car club wanted that building and the trades department would then need a new facility somewhere requiring new construction. Doesn't seem to be an urgent need.
You mean this comment: "RCSC officials confirmed the motion will be on the board agenda, but had no further explanation for the increase. “There is no need for any further discussion on this matter at this time,” Joelynn Higgins, RCSC communications and marketing director, stated in an email." Ouch!. As far as a multi-use theater at Bell, way too small. The best plans would be to bring back a committee to look at the Mountainview rec center for a full scale renovation.
I've got a guess that is waaaay out there and based on no information at all. Wouldn't it be great if Sun City Country Club would be willing to sell for a reasonable price??? The whole Mountain View Center could be rebuilt as large as necessary and at least half of the golf course could become Sun City's much needed walking trails and park! I know.....dream on.
Don't look for it anytime soon aggie, but that example once again brings into the question of where are we headed over the next 10-20 years. Stop and consider for 1 minute the need for 3 private country clubs within the white walls. We know the greatest generation were country club folks. We also know boomers aren't. At least not the majority of people who will be looking at Sun City as a retirement destination. One only has to ask themselves, what does that mean for the long haul? And to put this whole question of raising the PIF into perspective, what will we be doing with the 60 to 70 million dollars we will raise over the next 10 years? (and that's without a raise in fees). No more golf course millions (they'll be done). The bulk of the centers have already been remodeled, so what's the crushing need for another 10 to 15 million dollars? Can't wait to hear the logic behind the hike. Oh and btw, the proper answer to Rusty's question was: "and for anyone interested in hearing more and discussing this issue, please stop by the member exchange next Monday at 9 am in the Lakeview social halls."
I remember having a conversation about the Sun City Country Club many years ago when Tom was a fellow board member. I do not intend to quote verbatim what was said, as my memory doesn’t quite go there anymore. I do remember him saying something to the effect the golf course translated into around 1500 building lots. If my memory serves me right, this is how the property was platted prior to it being developed into a luxury club. The conversation was something to the effect if things got really bad, he could always develop the land as housing units. Tom is great man and humanitarian, sponsoring Autistic children on the golf course, making sure young people have a place to learn and play golf, and is a genuine good guy. He writes books about how to be successful in today’s business world; he lectures underprivileged kids about the truths of life and making oneself a better person and entrepreneur, and offers young people mentoring to assist them in their journeys. But Tom is also a savvy business man, and I feel would make every effort to keep it as a golf course, unless something drastic caused a change of economy, and forced the country club to re-examine its priorities. I feel this is true of all of the private golf courses, and while the RCSC has provisos for keeping their golf courses as courses for eternity, I do not know if that same provision is true for the private courses.
Why would anyone take offense at that clip e? To Carole's point, Tom and his brother were the only one of 8 potential buyers who were serious about making Sun City Country Club work as a golf course. They've done a great job of keeping it going but like all courses that old, are rife with problems. Water distribution and wells are just 2 of the most obvious. As the RCSC upgrades our courses, theirs will look less attractive. BTW, we were told the others looking to buy the Sun City club were land investors. Thank goodness Tom and George got it.
