Course closures discussed at POA Board meeting
Posted on Tuesday, November 18, 2008
BELLA VISTA — About 90 people came to a meeting at 8 a. m. Monday to listen to the Bella Vista Property Owners Association Board discuss possibly closing golf courses, raising golf and other fees and balancing the budget for the coming year.
A week earlier, the board had discussed a $ 132, 000 budget shortfall and wanted to try to reach a consensus about handling the shortfall. One scenario was to convert nine holes on the Kingswood and Branchwood golf courses to other recreational activities. The board also wanted to find more income by possibly raising golf, lakes and RV storage fees.
“ Closing the golf courses is a bait-and-switch tactic, so we will agree to the $ 2 increase (for 18 holes ), ” said Mary Riorden, a POA member.
“ We’ve been residents for 23 years and property owners for 28 years, ” David Kowalski said. “(The POA Board ) comes up with some dumb ideas, but this is the top of the list of dumb. A chain store doesn’t close its busiest stores. ”
Some in attendance said they didn’t believe walking trails would be successful.
“ Go look and watch the trails — 85 percent of the time no one is on them at all, ” Bob Mathias said.
The board didn’t decide which courses, if any, might be converted to other uses. Board members will hold a town-hall meeting before they approve the final budget on Dec. 11.
POA Board Chairwoman Roberta Dale listed savings from converting several golf courses if the board decides on this action.
The projected savings would be as follows:
• The Branchwood Golf Course, $ 97, 000;
• The Brittany Golf Course, $ 110, 000;
• Scotsdale back nine or seven holes, $ 170, 000;
• Scotsdale, all 18 holes, $ 380, 000; and
• The Kingswood Golf Course, take away nine holes and combine the remaining nine with the Berksdale Golf Course to make a 27-hole complex, $ 172, 000.
Selling land that is owned by the POA and straddles Arkansas and Missouri is not a good business option, Dale said.
“ A poor economy and realestate prices do not recommend a sale at this time, ” she said. “ The sale would produce a one-time revenue and would not fix a long-term budget deficit. ”
Besides balancing the budget, several board members are working to make the percentage of assessment dollars spent on golf and recreation more equal.
Currently, amenities receive 71 percent of the income from assessments, and golf receives 47 percent, Director Bill Johnson said. Recreation gets 27 percent.
For the 2009 budget, POA General Manager Tommy Bailey increased income going to the amenities to 80 percent and increased the golf portion to 49 percent, Johnson said. Recreation would receive 25 percent.
So, golf got more assessment dollars than recreation, but the board had instructed Bailey to give more money to recreation, Johnson said.
Board members wanted more dollars to go recreation.
About 10 years ago, golf rounds were at 365, 000, Johnson said. This year, the total might be 240, 000.
Golf is declining in popularity as a sport, Director Jan Keirsey said.
“ What’s happening to golf locally is happening nationally. Not only has golf trended down in Bella Vista for 10 years, it has trended down nationally for 10 years, ” Keirsey said.
Bailey said one third or fewer of residents play golf.
Johnson suggested that prior to any town meeting, Bailey bring back a balanced budget proposal which takes away $ 200, 000 from the golf budget and gives it to the recreation budget. Dale asked for a consensus, and the idea was supported by Johnson, Keirsey, Stewart Smith and Tom Wooters.
The first goal is to maintain amenities and not let them fall into disrepair, Dale said. Next, if amenities are not being used, they should be taken “ offline. ” Finally, board members should keep in mind that retirement incomes, the job market and the poor economy may affect the board’s choices.
Dale invited the membership to send their questions and ideas on the budget to info @ bellavistapoa. com. The POA will publish answers on the Web site.
Property owners may write to the Bella Vista POA, 98 Clubhouse Drive, Bella Vista, AR 72715.
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