Finances, Community Issues and Transition Headline Homeowners Association Annual Meeting

Approximately fifty Rancho El Dorado homeowners met at the Maricopa High School boardroom Thursday evening for the 2004 Homeowners Association Annual Meeting. Rancho El Dorado has a total of 3157 lots with 1822 of them having closed escrow. When 530 additional lots close, the homeowners will take voting control of the association. This should occur in June or July of 2005. John Lockett of D.R.Horton / Continental Homes and president of the board remarked, “We look forward to a smooth transition.”

Also present were Melinda Medina and Dallas Paulsen, representing the homeowners, and John Sutherland of El Dorado Holdings who replaced Monty Ortman after his resignation. President Amanda Shaw and community manager Steena Stencil represented the management company, Associated Asset Management.

Steena Stencil, Melinda Medina, John Lockett, Dallas Paulsen, and John Sutherland respond to homeowners’ concerns and questions.

Ms. Shaw presented a financial review of the association’s funds. According to Ms. Shaw, “association by-laws specify that an annual audit must be prepared.” The budget is based on a quarterly assessment and a cable assessment for Orbitel Communications service. The Rancho El Dorado Homeowners Association is a non-profit organization with no debts and no accounts payable or receivable. “The 2005 annual budget is still in draft form,” said Ms. Shaw. “It will be mailed with the first quarter assessment in 2005.”

Associated Asset Management president Amanda Shaw reviews the association’s finances.

Due to concerns about communication and information within the Rancho El Dorado community, Alison Means, executive assistant to Ms. Shaw, has set up a website to enable homeowners to access account information, architectural requests and approval status online. Users would also be able to share community news. Subsidized by Continental Homes as a trial run, the site would cost each homeowner twenty cents per month if adopted permanently. “It is easy to use and downloadable,” said Ms. Means.

General discussion and questions from the audience centered primarily on issues including signage, overnight street parking, cable service, fliers on doors, and flooding. A volunteer transition committee composed of homeowners will make recommendations on these matters and others mentioned at the September 16th community meeting. Ms. Medina and Mr. Paulsen will chair this committee. Meeting dates have yet to be determined.