Webster defines "ruminate" as: to think carefully and deeply about something. It's long been my curse and one I wish at times I could shake as a habit. Unfortunately, there's no 12 step program to join, or philosophical books to help reshape me. I'm stuck being over-analytical and trapped in obsessing. I guess it's not all bad, because while some move here for the golf, or pools or crafts, I moved here because of the community. I loved the make-up; of the construct where we could take ownership and be a part of something very special. And what's so cool is it's been that way from the very beginning. It's what makes us different from almost all the rest, what sets up apart. They just don't make them like the original Sun City any more. Perhaps that explains my consternation over this pending increase to the PIF. The hike won't stop homes from selling here; sorry realtors, but that lament doesn't fly. What it will do is cause people in the community and potential buyers is to question why? To ask; how much is enough? You can pick your poison. Over the next 20 years we will have between 100-140 million dollars to work with. The projects articulated by the board at the member exchange will never spend that amount. And frankly, who says we need the wish list they talked about even being done? Certainly they didn't involve the community. Here's my conclusion and part of it was due Big Red's breakdown, and part due to what I know from my recent past on the board: * The projects of late have exceeded budget (Marinette, Bell Tennis and the electronic signage added) resulting in PIF totals to be diminished. * The golf projects have in every case (North, Riverview and the Willows) have had add on's that have been significant. * All of which has caused a short-term shortfall for the coming budget year 2016. In an effort to get a cash infusion to cover it, they have come up with this increase which we know will raise around a million dollars per year. With the K Hovnanian project looming, there is the potential for another million dollars to hit the PIF until they sell out (roughly 140 homes). The problem is the short-term increase will become permanent and now we are looking at 20 year totals of 100 million to 160 million dollars. Which all comes back to that simple question: for what?
Some people are under the impression that they can vote on whether or not to increase the PIF. It is my understanding that we voted on who should be on the board and in doing so gave them the power to vote. Is that correct?
I really believe they decided to increase it now, without a needed plan, because home sales are up. A 16.5% jump is a bit high. If they had gone bit 5-7% for inflation I don't think there would be as much opposition.
For those of you new to Sun City in the last 5 years, there's a very simple story you may not know. When the plans for the new Fairway Center were put in place (mid 2000's), there wasn't anywhere near enough money in the PIF to pay for the projected 18 million dollar rebuild. And as you probably understand we cannot incur indebtedness of more than $750,000 without a vote by the residents. The PIF was in part created so there was that flexibility. Board members in concert with a long range planning committee would help sort through those kinds of projects and only do them as cash was available. Because Fairway was expensive (though ultimately coming in at 16.2 million dollars), a decision was made by the board to do it in stages. Phase 1 (where the clubs and meeting rooms are) was completed and about a year later they began phase 2 (the fitness and pool area). They did it in concert with having the cash in hand to pay for it, rather than go into debt and having to take it to the residents for a vote. While i'm sure everyone would have loved to see them plow through, they made the right choice and only spent the money as they had it available. Which brings me to the question: If we are strapped to the point we are going down to the nubs of the PIF, why don't we hold off on the Willow courses till 2017 or 2018. Both of those are in very good shape and it was just a few years back we threw a bunch of money at Willowcreek in a course upgrade. These massive expenditures on and for golf courses boggles my mind. If in the end it necessitates increasing the PIF, it makes even less sense. Lest I forget, we know about the need to fix the irrigation systems to comply with the state agreement, but everything after that almost appease to be ego driven.
I agree, when I read the future plans I was also boggled at the massive expenditures for golf courses. Seems that's mainly what's on the list. And they can't even section off an area for small dogs in dog park? I'll bet many more people have small dogs than play golf. Yes, I know I keep harping on a small dog park, but I really think it's needed and such a small cost to do.
Wow, the dog park issue has been decided? Things can always change as new people move in. I don't need to cry about it but I can still talk about and probably will.
The Duffeeland dog park is an interesting study in human nature. We (the RCSC) bought it and within months the thing exploded on us. The neighbors figured they now had a forum to effect change and the users had increased expectations. We quickly realized the importance of getting all stakeholders involved. Several town hall meetings took place. We tried a number approaches, some in vain, some half successful. The best outcome was the last when the users agreed to form a club to help facilitate the problems. We left the question of creating a small section for small dogs to them. Personally I would do that for those that wanted it, but it was neither my nor the boards decision to make. They elected to not section a piece of it off. As far as Sun City West spending 150K on advertising for golf, it has no bearing on what we are doing for now. This massive expenditure for golf was all started in 2010 when the board was top heavy with golfers and the management team got golfers all excited about the idea of what was called a "master plan." Gary Brawley, a very good golf course designer, was brought in and began working with the golf community. He sat and listened to what golfers wanted. It was like the proverbial kid in the candy store as he began working with them to build their dream course. I certainly don't fault the players, we asked for their help and they rushed in to add their two cents. My question is why? When we know golf is struggling, we are spending 30+ million dollars in upgrades. Yup, North turned out great. People love it, for the most part. Some claim it's too tough, with sand traps more than challenging. The simple truth is our courses will never be what the newer ones are, no matter how many millions we sink into them. What's more important is we live up to the agreement with the state on the irrigation/water conservation improvements. And the maintenance of them stays first rate (Brian and his crew has done a great job to date). Someone along the way we made these arbitrary decisions to spend all of this money and now it appears to have caught up with us. I know the argument is we spend more on the other amenities, but we should. Golf represents less than 20% of the community's population and this notion we should be looking at a 60/40 split on expenditures is pure nonsense. To make matters worse, now we are looking at an increase in the PIF to help pay for those choices. Pure foolishness; especially when it was done without community input.
Yes, two separate clubs. The Best Friends Dog Club operates out of the Fairway Rec Center. Not sure where the Duffeeland Dog Park Club meets. Interesting fact that the Long Range Planning Committee would like to have seen a dog park at the Sun Bowl when the renovations were being done. There was also hopes for a dog park in the water retention area at Marinette. The purchase of Duffeeland was another surprise expenditure by the RCSC. It was no surprise that it came with problems.
Every dog park I've used has problems. Some more than others but it's just the nature of dogs together and their owners. Some who don't watch their dogs (even leave them) and some dogs just can't get along or need time to learn. But if we closed similar people places for the same reasons few places would be open. Somehow people expect much more of dogs than people. I don't know the issues raised at Duffeeland but I doubt they are unique.
