Hello, Team LMOA!

This week, the LMOA Board of Directors and Staff want to start this email by expressing our gratitude for your support through the $150 dues increase. The presentation of the 2025 Budget Proposal by our General Manager and Jay Hinkle to the Finance & Audit Committee on October 17 highlighted the significant benefits we anticipate from this increase. It is instrumental in adequately funding our reserve funds and alleviating operational pressures. Operations is now well-positioned for full staffing in 2025. We are also pleased to report improvements in our cash management strategies, which have increased LMOA's return on investment in 2024.

This year, the budget coordination amongst the LMOA Senior Staff focused on requirements, work scope, and customer service. This has encouraged them to reevaluate departmental budgets, aiming to optimize our service to the Lake Monticello community as a whole. We are confident we can achieve more for this community next year, and it is important to acknowledge the role of our members, volunteers, and staff in reaching a promising financial outlook for 2025.

Following the Finance & Audit Committee review, their insights will be forwarded to the Board of Directors for further examination during the open budget hearing and work sessions scheduled for early November. Please note that the hearing initially set for October 30 will now take place on November 7, 2024, at 6 PM in the Fairway Clubhouse. The Board of Directors intends to approve the 2025 budget at their regular meeting on November 21. We encourage everyone to come. Again, Thank you for your support and contribution to our community’s future. Please continue reading LMOA's official news update:

LMOA Job Opening: LMOA’s Facilities & Operations Department is interviewing for a full-time Operations Technician. The Department of Public Safety is still seeking a Gate Security Officer and certified Police Officer. If you are interested, please find more information and apply for CAREERS at lmoa.org.

Fundraiser for Fluvanna Meals on Wheels: Our staff would like to thank everyone who has purchased LMOA merchandise to help raise money for our local Meals on Wheels program. Our Yeti Tumblers have sold out! T-shirts can be ordered until October 27. The ornaments will continue to be available until they are sold out. Some residents have told us they even went to the Fluvanna Meals on Wheels website and donated. That's fantastic, thank you! Many homebound adults at Lake Monticello benefit from hot meals delivered by volunteers, and our Lake police officers help deliver emergency food packets and conduct welfare checks to Melas on Wheels clients when needed. If you want to help Fluvanna Meals on Wheels by purchasing unique holiday gifts, please order HERE. For every item sold, $5 goes to Fluvanna Meals on Wheels. LMOA covers manufacturing costs and keeps none of the proceeds. The T-shirts are customized right here in Fluvanna County by The Crossed Arrow LLC, a local company that also customized the Volunteer Water Safety Team’s attire. Pick-up will be at the Ashlawn Clubhouse starting November 18, 2024. We appreciate your help!

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND

We asked LMOA Staff what they are doing this weekend. These are their picks:

Friday, October 18: 

• HELP FOR HELENE BENEFIT CONCERT: Enjoy local music and support a great cause. The Help for Helene concert to benefit the victims of last month’s hurricane will feature five Fluvanna musical acts, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, at Cunningham Creek Winery. All donations plus a percentage of Cunningham Creek sales will support the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County. For more details and to RSVP, see the event on Facebook HERE.

• FLUCO VARSITY FOOTBALL: The high school’s home game against Orange County starts at 7:15 PM. 

Saturday, October 19:

• STUDIO ART TOUR: This fun tour is becoming a favorite in the county and showcases almost thirty skilled local artists. Guests explore the creative spaces on a self-guided tour throughout Fluvanna County from 10 AM to 5 PM. Several locations are right here at the Lake. For the map and other info, visitartsfluvannacounty.com! The tour is also on Sunday. 

• WITCHES & WIZARDS PADDLE: The Five-Oh Club will again spook us with a spirited Witch & Wizard Paddle, starting at 1 PM. Children should be at the Main Beach by 12:45 PM, and paddlers should meet at Beach 3 at 12:30 PM. A prize is awarded for the best Witch & Wizard costume! Please get in touch with Lindsy Maisch at [email protected] with questions!

Sunday, October 20:

• NEWCOMERS & OLD FRIENDS MONTHLY MEETING: 3:30 – 5 PM at the Ashlawn Clubhouse (41 Ashlawn Blvd.). The club will sponsor "Who's Who at The Lake?" with representatives from the LMOA Board and Committees, LMOA Staff, and several other organizations operating there. This is an excellent opportunity for new residents to learn more about our community and ask questions. Newcomers & Old Friends will also collect candy donations to support the YRF Bunker Pumpkin Path and give out three raffle prizes for those donating. (Please do not arrive before 3:15 for the meeting, thank you!)

Have a great weekend!

Tom Schauder
LMOA General Manager