Dear SC6 neighbors,
As the holidays are quickly approaching, I wanted to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, and Happy New Year! If you celebrate anything else, "good-on-yah."
I would also like to update you on a few changes happening in our community.
Ed and Betsy Hayden, from ASC Property Services, have sold their business and retired to Alabama. We thank Ed and Betsy for their over 6 years of service to our community. Ed's experienced guidance and even temperament kept things running smoothly and efficiently since taking over in 2018. We wish Ed and Betsy the best in this new chapter of their lives.
I'd like to introduce the new management company, Extreme Management Team (HOA EMT), led by Sharon Brown and her husband Rich. This dynamic duo has a true passion for all things Community Association related. Sharon has worked in the industry of Community Associations for 15 years. With a love for helping Association’s stay financially healthy. Extreme Management Team is a relationship-based management company that has been in business since 2008. Their team consisting of 35 team members who each take an active role in ensuring each community and their membership enjoy where they live. Extreme Management is committed to communication, customer service and transparency. Their mission is to provide the “Extreme” experience for each of their communities. I have met with Sharon and Rich personally and look forward to a long, successful relationship with Extreme Management Team.
The financial data conversion from ASC systems to the EMT platform has been completed as of 8/31/24. You may recall receiving a letter from Sharon dated August 28, 2024 which provided your credentials to create an account in the new software system. If you have not yet created an account, I urge you to do so quickly so you can begin taking advantage of the new system's benefits. With the online portal, our community can save money on mailings by owners electing to receive communication by email. You can also view your account information through the portal, set up auto payments, and fill out any ARC requests.
After reviewing our newly converted financial statements, I want to point out we continue to save money for capital improvements to our almost 6 acre community space off Welson road. Our park continues to attract neighbors and others from the surrounding communities to enjoy our recently refurbished amenities. We will continue to add new amenities to our common area as the budget allows, including a dog park, pavilion at the lake, updated playground, and one day, a community clubhouse and pool.
Developing this property smartly and according to our master plan is even more critical now as Orange County moves forward with Agenda 2030-style high-density housing all around the county, gobbling up green spaces and drastically changing the landscape and horizon. Our little sanctuary is a priceless respite from the hectic hustle and bustle as our county continues to grow. Imagine the alternative for a minute: How many homes do you think a developer could build in our common area, or worse, how many apartment buildings? The thought is chilling! We must fiercely protect and preserve our community space to ensure it provides this neighborhood with meaningful and memorable experiences for generations to come.
Next comes the status of Accounts Receivable (AR). The HOA, as of 10/31/24, has $44,991.69 in AR, which means some neighbors are not paying their dues on time. We have 385 homes with 121 homes on the delinquency list, representing 31%. I'm not sure why some are not paying their dues. I do understand hardships arise with unexpected emergencies, but two payments per year under $300 is dramatically less than the $300 PER MONTH many communities collect. Even as our dues increase each year to cover the increased cost of insurance, other expenses, and saving for new amenities, we are still well below the average HOA dues in most neighborhoods.
During the ASC era, it was our policy to send past due accounts out to a collection agency. This process eliminated the need for costly upfront attorney fees draining the HOA budget but can have a harsh impact on neighbors and their quality of life. No-one wants a collection agency hounding them for payments as charges continue to spiral out of control. It is our goal to implement a more understanding and cost effective collection effort by bringing the process in-house with HOA EMT.
The in-house process is as follows:
· Notice of Late Assessment (N.O.L.A.) -After the assessment due date has passed, a N.O.L.A. is processed giving the owner 30 days to submit payment before collections continue. Our assessments are due by the 30th of January and July. There is a $5.00 administrative fee applied to the ledger when processed.
· Notice of Intent to Record a Claim of Lien (ITL) - Once the N.O.L.A letter has expired, an ITL is processed giving the owner an additional 45 days to submit payment before a lien is filed on the home. There is a $150.00 administrative fee applied to the ledger when processed.
· Claim of Lien & Notice of Intent to Foreclose - After the ITL letter has expired, the Association will file a Claim of Lien on the property and issue a Notice of Intent to Foreclose. The Notice of Intent to Foreclose gives the owner 45 additional days to bring the account balance current before the Board can approve opening a Lien Foreclosure case on the home. There are $720.00 in administrative fees applied to the ledger when processed.
· Lien Foreclosure - If payment is still not made after the Notice of Intent to Foreclose has expired, the Board will review the account and approve for the file to be sent to the Association's legal office to open a Lien Foreclosure case and proceed to foreclose on the home. At this point, the home is 120 days (about 4 months) delinquent. Additional attorney fees will be charged to the owner by the legal office.
While we never want to burden our owners with unnecessary fees, we also have a responsibility to keep our community financially heathy. Using EMT’s in- house collections will help keep the fees to a minimum if an owner falls behind and they will assist in helping with payment plans if necessary. Our new collection effort will begin after the January 2025 payment. If you'd like to avoid the added costs of collecting dues payments, please bring your accounts current right away. You can get in touch with Mary Klein with EMT at 352-366-0234 ext.110 for website access and payment questions.
Another new policy for 2025: we would like to implement a multi-format meeting schedule where one month the meeting will be virtual, and the next month will be in-person at the Lutheran church, and on different days. This approach will allow us to reach more residents who have conflicts on meeting night, and who aren't able to attend in person. In-person meetings will provide a time and space for neighbors to meet neighbors and offer opportunities to get more involved in the community.
Since March 2022, we have hosted 16 events starting with Spring Break Extravaganza, 8 movie nights, SC6 Summer Games, 2 Independence Day celebrations, 2 community garage sales, Halloween, and Fall Festival. Our biggest event was Independence Day 2024 when we served 150 meals while neighbors and friends enjoyed launching Chinese lanterns and watching the amazing fireworks show. If you attended any of these events, you 'll recall how much fun we had getting the neighborhood together. If you missed these events, volunteer to get involved to create the next big event.
Speaking of volunteers, we have many ideas for community events and could really use your help. In addition to the types of events we've already hosted, we could also hold block parties, sporting competitions, concerts, group bicycle rides, fun run/walk, pot lucks, group outings to local attractions / sporting events / destinations like Kennedy Space Center and more. If you have an idea for an event, let us know and we'll make it happen with you. If you would like to continue to see these types of events in our community, I urge you to get involved and help out any way possible. We have all the ingredients needed to make a great neighborhood, and it's up to you to make this community everything you'd like it to be.
We have a wonderful and amazing community website where you can find events, blog posts, forums, community documents, amenities, and more. Use it to reserve picnic tables and a grill at the park for a party, set some time for a pickleball match, grab the pressure washer to clean up your house, or reserve any of the other amenities we have to offer. These items are here for your benefit and enjoyment, take advantage of them.
As a final request, please go to Southchase6.com and register on the website if you have not already done so. This is the best way to stay informed of upcoming events, post on forums with your neighbors, read blog posts, and join clubs where you can find like-minded people.
Thank you for being part of the Southchase 6 community and here's looking forward to a fun and exciting new year ahead!
Matthew White
Southchase 6
President
I❤️ SC6
Comments