North Creek Village

Just wanted to throw this out there, after yesterdays meeting, I felt like the big elephant in the room was the price/cost people were willing to pay for HOA dues. I think there would be a lot more support for the organization of a HOA, if the dues were to be discussed and reasonable.

What I'd like people to start thinking about is attempting to lower the cost of the HOA to cover the water bill and a small amount of administrative dues. If residents want lawn care, they should hire their own private company that would provide a better service than what we currently have.

It is absurd to expect HOA dues on an unfinished community to run over $1700 a year.

I know that all of my neighbors feel the same way. So why are we beating around the bush?

I totally agree with you that current (or past) HOA dues are ridiculously high, especially considering that we have been denied amenities for a good part of the past several years.  We do our own lawn maintenance because of the poor jobs done by the many previous lawn crews.  We do not use the exercise equipment for physical reasons and the pool, for most of the summer, has been either not open on time, not maintained, or shut down by the KC health department.  Not to mention overrun by unauthorized people from other locations and kids who vandalized it.  A dangerous situation at best, for someone alone wanting to enjoy an afternoon at the pool.  The "park" is nothing more than a weedfield surrounded by dying or dead trees and no trash receptacles.  Anyone can join a health club or recreational facility for less than what we are asked to pay for dues.  We residents have been cheated out of  safe and sanitary recreational amenities for years.  What a ripoff! 

I agree that they are too high.  There's still so much up in the air, though.  The people who are elected to the Board will have something to do with choosing what is included in the dues as far as lawncare, parks, etc., I think.  I'm not sure, though.  I just wish more people were interested in running.  Until we know what is included, we won't know the price.  No one knows at this point.  We should ask those running what they think the priorities for services should be.  I suppose that would be a place to start.  I worry that the people elected will be the people that want every service under the sun and the price will stay so high.  Just my opinion! 

Basic services should include a regularly maintained, safe and sanitary swimming pool and a clean clubhouse with access to the storm shelter.  We've had so many poor lawn maintenance crews that we don't want this service at all, but prefer to do it ourselves.  Those who aren't able to mow their lawns could hire it done.  I'm sure there are kids in the neighborhood who would like to make some extra money during the lawn mowing season.  The common areas, "park" and walking paths could be done by a professional lawn crew, or perhaps someone in the neighborhood who would like to take on the job.