Hello, Team LMOA!

Please continue reading for important news from Lake Monticello:

Town Hall Meeting Recap:
Here are a few highlights that sum up the Town Hall Meeting on February 28, 2024:

• At the second town hall meeting on February 28, our Board of Directors said they are considering asking for a permanent $150 dues increase in addition to the 3% increase permitted by our bylaws.

• The Board also intends to offer its members a 25-visit pool pass for 5 years (2025-2029). The reason for this is that they believe the pool has additional capacity, and they are hoping the incentive will encourage future memberships.

• If such a proposal passes, LMOA dues would go from $984 to $1168 in 2025, which equals approximately $15 per month more than this year.

• The board explained that $150 was the bare minimum needed to fix the reserve deficit.

• If the dues increase does not pass, I (the General Manager) will recommend a vertical cut. Small cuts -such as $20,000 for fireworks - would not move the dial, but a vertical cut like opening the gates would save half a million dollars per year.

• Another option the Board can take would be a special assessment. Depending on the timing, it could be as high as $3000 in five years; the longer we wait, the higher the special assessment.

• President Larry Henson said he did not support a vertical cut or a special assessment and prefers a dues increase, explaining that Lake Monticello’s services add to our property values and that it is easier for Members to budget for a dues increase than a special assessment.

• Several speakers offered great feedback; their comments can be viewed using the unlisted YouTube link on the Board Meeting Details page after logging in HERE. Some speakers at the town hall meeting argued that the dues increase should be higher than $150 to properly fund Operations (timestamp 1:10:20), fearing LMOA would otherwise need to come back in a few years and ask for another dues increase. Another speaker opposed a dues increase altogether (1:16:30), stating many residents cannot afford one. A few speakers asked the Board to make the 25-visit pool pass a permanent service (timestamp 1:38:28). Jay Hinkle answered some of the frequently asked questions that can be watched at timestamp 24:45.

Please take time to watch the town hall meeting, and we will also address FAQs for the next several weeks here in the GM Corner. The board of directors will consider all feedback when finalizing the board proposal which will be done in April and appear on the Annual Meeting Notice in mid-May.
  
Carol Cavanaugh is Retiring: Our Environmental Control & Compliance Administrator will retire in mid-March after 34 years at LMOA. Compliance Committee Chair, Scott Marshall, held a heartfelt goodbye speech for Carol at the LMOA Board Meeting on February 22, 2024, which can be read HERE. We wish Carol all the best!

Stop the Bleed Training: Lake Monticello Volunteer Fire and Rescue (LMVFR) helps our community in so many ways! Did you know that in February, 20 LMOA employees received a "Stop the Bleed" training from the Lake Monticello Volunteer Rescue Squad? Firefighter and paramedic Steve Elliot said having LMOA staff certified makes LMVFR better equipped to save lives at Lake Monticello because LMOA staff are often at the scene first. You can read more about the training HERE. Would you like to give back to LMVFR? The Fire Department is hosting a St. Patrick’s Day fundraising party on March 16 at 6 PM at 10 Slice Road. The $20 entrance fee covers dinner, music, and door prizes (please bring your own drink). Advance tickets only; please call Michael McGurk at 434-282-8496 to order yours!

Senator Mark Warner: At a Q&A session with Senator Mark Warner on February 23, President Larry Henson and LMOA Communications Director Marieke Henry were able to put a spotlight on the Aqua Virginia rate case.  Officials from Fluvanna, Buckingham, and Cumberland counties met with the senator at the Fork Union Military Academy’s Wicker Chapel. After the session, his team exchanged contact information with Marieke and said they would look into the matter and discuss it further in a Zoom meeting soon. Because Aqua Virginia is a private utility company, they did not think federal funding would be available to help fix failing infrastructure but said they would explore other avenues.

JABA Comes to the Lake: JABA’s Aging Services Coordinators (ASC) will be at the Ashlawn Clubhouse on March 20 from 10 AM to 12 PM to share resources that are designed to empower adults by making an action plan for aging. This session is free and offers information about caregiving, health education, insurance, respite and enrichment centers, volunteering at JABA, and more. If you have questions ahead of time,  please call 434-817-5245 or send an email to [email protected]. For a list of other upcoming events and volunteer opportunities, please check out Announcments and the Event List at lmoa.org!

Job Opportunities: LMOA is looking for a Senior Financial Analyst and a part-time Field Inspector. These positions will be funded through vacancy and attrition savings so Operations can manage within budget. If you or someone you know is interested in one of these positions, please visit our CAREER PAGE.

Have a great weekend!

-Tom Schauder
General Manager