Fees, News from HOA1 and HOA2 Board

SBINSIDER REPORTING| September 15th, 2024

From HOA1 board meeting on August 29th, the salient news was an $180 in the annual fee or about $15 bucks a month. Most of the costs underlying the increase have to do with inflation of the general price level, particularly the need to be competitive with wages for staff retention. Also, despite COVID being pretty distant in the rear view mirror, its affects on supply chains has delayed delivery of new equipment and so prices have increased for all those essential things we need to operate the HOA.

Bellagio Style Fountain Display

The fountain in the lake located near the intersection of SaddleBrooke Blvd and Ridgeview will soon be dazzling the residents with new spraying patterns (38 programs, 7 new nozzles) and exciting colors. The upgraded equipment takes the place of the existing equipment which is at the end of its useful life but will be stored as a backup. The changes to the display will now be done remotely from shore not by taking the HOA1 yacht to the fountain and manually making changes.  Residents will be asked to comment on the displays after a variety have been tried.

Resident’s Comments

Several comments were made to the Board regarding costs to build new capitol projects and the competitive position that HOA1 is in relative to other retirement communities. The resident suggest that not enough was being done to enhance an maintain curb appeal. The resident also suggested that the Board considered hiring a COO (Chief Operating Officer) to replace the General Manager position as HOA2 has recently done. The Board thanked the resident for his input and replied that all the long emails the resident has been sending were considered. The Board then reaffirmed ist support for the current management structure and the staff.

HOA2 Board Meeting

HOA2’s meeting was anticipated be rancorous due to the CAM work that was interrupted by two residents. However, the residents comments were subdued and mostly positive. As to the CAM project, in the Preserve levels 4, 5 and completed. Overall about 50% of the work is done with Level 4 clearing being the focus of the crews.

Some of the project updates included the installation of two new AC units for Desert View Theater, resurfacing of tennis courts at Desert View is done and the Board is developing a marketing package with and for Realtors to aid in the sale of HOA2 homes.

Darrin Shaw was announced as the new COO taking over in December. Mr. Shaw is currently working in Ramona CA. at the large housing development, San Diego Country Estates.

GM COFFEE

A lightly attended meeting with GM Vivian Timian featured Christopher Albers head of the SaddleBrooke One Patrol staff and Sergeant Valdez from the Pinal County Sheriff’s department. Albers urged the residents to register their golf carts if you have not already. Registration helps the Patrol if they locate an injured resident in their cart who has no ID or abandoned carts around the property. He also relayed that if you plan to ask the Patrol for a housing check that it should be a duration of at least of 5 days. Also, on a longer absence, be mindful that your home will likely be checked approximately every 7 days.

Sergeant Valdez discussed mental health checks. He suggested you call the Sheriff’s office when a resident may have escalated to violence-throwing objects for example. Under ARS title 36 they can determine if the resident presents a imminent harm to themselves or others, if so, they can be transported to an evaluation center in Casa Grande. His office gets less than one call a month for mental help evaluation from SaddleBrooke.

Valdez did discuss the recent shooting incident in Unit 4 as reported in SBINSIDER.ORG and the person involved has a hearing Monday the 16th. 

There is also a Help line you can call for help with an intervention. (480) 205-2305