SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964
Posts: 6,964
Posted:
Last September, our reserve study was completed. Because we were in the midst of debating a sale of some undeveloped land and preparing the 2012 budget, we didn't have as much time as I'd like to really go over the findings. As treasurer, I've tried to do as much as I can while dealing with other things in my life (such as the holidays - even Board members deserve to enjoy them!)
Anyway, I noticed landscaping wasn't included in the findings - the specialist said that was because he'd been told by the property manager that we usually take care of this from the operating budget. In light of the bad droughts the state's had during the last three years that have wrecked parts of our lawns and our aging trees (some of which have cause havoc with our sewer lines), I'm wondering if perhaps we shouldn't include some landscaping in the figures, such as replacing the lawn.
(I must say the specialist is a very nice guy and has indicated he'll assist us with deving a plan to use this study to prepare future budgets - hopefully, he'll come up with a number of other suggestions besides raising the fees. We have to do that anyway because the first thing that struck me about the findings was that we're even more underfunded than I'd feared)
We still have to tell the specialist whether we're accepting the findings as presented and I thought that would be a good time to discuss this. What I'd like to ask all of you is whether you put landscaping in your studies and to what extent. By the way, we're a community of townhouses and the community turns 40 years old this year - that may affect your responses.
And of course, any suggestions on what else we should be looking for with this study would be helpful. Thanks in advance for your help!
Anyway, I noticed landscaping wasn't included in the findings - the specialist said that was because he'd been told by the property manager that we usually take care of this from the operating budget. In light of the bad droughts the state's had during the last three years that have wrecked parts of our lawns and our aging trees (some of which have cause havoc with our sewer lines), I'm wondering if perhaps we shouldn't include some landscaping in the figures, such as replacing the lawn.
(I must say the specialist is a very nice guy and has indicated he'll assist us with deving a plan to use this study to prepare future budgets - hopefully, he'll come up with a number of other suggestions besides raising the fees. We have to do that anyway because the first thing that struck me about the findings was that we're even more underfunded than I'd feared)
We still have to tell the specialist whether we're accepting the findings as presented and I thought that would be a good time to discuss this. What I'd like to ask all of you is whether you put landscaping in your studies and to what extent. By the way, we're a community of townhouses and the community turns 40 years old this year - that may affect your responses.
And of course, any suggestions on what else we should be looking for with this study would be helpful. Thanks in advance for your help!
If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius