More questions on water, Lake police and expenses

(1) WHAT IS YOUR THOUGHT TOWARD CONTROL OF THE DEER HEARD & HOW WOULD YOU DO THIS?
Please see my blog immediately below on Deer Control.

(2) HOW WILL YOU CONTROL THE DUE INCREASES & KEEP THE LAKE A AFFORDABLE PLACE TO LIVE?  KNOWING THIS IS NOT THE LAKE OF THE WOODS. 
Please see my blogs on ideas to generate revenue for LMOA.

(3)HOW CAN YOU GET THE COST OF WATER AFFORDABLE?  Aqua Virginia water rates are approved by the State Corporation Commission.  In 2010, the SCC approved rates that were considerably lower than Aqua Virginia's request.  We can continue to petition the SCC to lower rates.  Aqua Virginia is holding a meeting on grinder pumps on June 7th between 3:00-8:00 pm in the terrace Room of the Lake Monticello Club House.  I encourage all residents to attend to express our concerns to Aqua Virginia.  A letter to the editor about the grinder pumps appeared in the June 2 edition of the the Fluvanna Review http://www.fluvannareview.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2132:grinder-pump-questions&catid=70:opinions&Itemid=220.

(4) WILL YOU CONSIDER LOOKING AND EVALUATE THE LAKE POLICE WASTE? 
Like all of the LMOA departments, the management needs to monitor the activities of the staff.  The Board's responsibility is to confirm that LMOA is staffed to meet the needs of the members.  A comparison of the number of police/security officers needed at Lake Monticello to communities of comparable size needs to be a study that is conducted each year.

(5) HOW WILL YOU HELP STOP THE LOSS AT THE GOLF COURSE? 
Please see my blog on dues subsidizing the golf course.

(6) HOW WILL YOU MEASURE THE EXPENSES AND ALLOCATIONS FOR EACH DEPARTMENT OF THE LAKE? 

Budgeting and allocations are based on previous years expenses plus inflation and any additional needs. Funds are allocated according to priority.  According to the LMOA Policy Manual Chapter 4 Section 04.02A, priorities are:
a. Existing operations
b. Reserves, including roads and lake infrastructure
c. New Initiatives, operating or capital, which generate income
d. New Initiatives that do not generate income

Budgeting to maintain our operations based on the past allows no room to improve.  We just keep doing the same old things the same old way.  We all know the definition of insanity -- Doing the same thing and expecting different results. "Balancing" the budget involves arguing (just look at Congress) about which items to cut. 

LMOA can do better.  Let's change our budgeting process to be about about producing results. 

The first step is to align the budget and expenses with the priorities of the members.  This will get the members involved.  What if the Board adopted a new list of priorities focused on the needs of the community:

1. Health and Safety of the residents.  This includes building and road maintenance, groundskeeping, lake and stormwater management, wildlife management and Lake police.
2. Recreational Assets.  This includes the golf course, the marina, the pool, tennis courts, ball field and other assets that enhance the property value of the members.
3. Financial growth.  This includes financial reserves, investments, budgeting and strategic planning.
4. Effective, efficient and trustworthy management.  This includes communications, auditing and administration.

Several candidates mentioned that the committees need to work together.  Using the above list of priorities, the committees would actually be organized to support each priority.  How good is that?  Current operating practices and expenses would be reviewed and revised on a regular basis. New initiatives would be imbedded in the priorities.  The committees would work together, and LMOA would become responsive to the needs of its members.  Let's do it!