Leisure World News

Leisure World News • Community • January 2023 A3 New Year, New Opportunities! ADMINISTRATIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS Meetings Date Time Location Open Board/Annual Meeting Wednesday, January 18, 2023 1:30 p.m. Hopi/Pima District 1   Wednesday, January 11, 2023 10:00 p.m. Ballroom District 3  Tuesday, January 10, 2023 4:30 p.m. Ballroom District 4 Thursday, January 12, 2023 10:00 a.m. Queen Card Room District 5 Tuesday, January 10, 2023 4:00 p.m. Hopi District 6 Wednesday, January 11, 2023 4:45 p.m. Hopi District 7 Thursday, January 12, 2023 4:00 p.m.  Ballroom District 8  Monday, January 16, 2023 10:0 a.m. Hopi A short Open Board Meeting scheduled at 12:30 p.m. will be immediately followed by the Annual Meeting at 1:30 p.m. January Board and District Meetings All meetings subject to change. Updates will be provided. POINTS TO PONDER Photo Credit: Pat Billingsley Wednesday Coffee Card Room 8 - 10:00 a.m. Planning the 2023 Fiscal Year By Barb Yapp The budget analysis for 2023 is underway at Leisure World and residents should know a few key facts. Leisure World’s fiscal year budget currently runs from April 1st to March 31 st . The budget being developed now will cover expenses from April 1 st , 2023, until December 31, 2023. All future budgets will follow a calendar year format, covering the time period of January 1 until December 31. This is in line with the contract services Leisure World employs, such as: Waste Management, SRP, Global Water, and Rural Metro. As a side note, Leisure World is bound to these suppliers for key services and does not have options for the pricing charged by these companies. Leisure World does, however, negotiate to get the best pricing and services in these key areas. Leisure World does not collect any revenue from Maricopa County or the City of Mesa. Leisure World is entirely self-funded by monthly HOA fees and the capital contribution received when a home is purchased in the community. The capital contribution cannot be used for operational expenses, such as salaries, utilities, or taxes. It is through the skill of our controller and community manager that the budget is scrutinized and analyzed to make sure adequate reserves are available to cover the upcoming year. One of the challenges for 2023 is finding new insurance for Leisure World at a competitive rate. It has been documented that individuals and businesses are seeing large increases. Year-over-year price inflation in the Phoenix metropolitan area remains at 13%, which is well above the national average and at the highest level ever recorded for the area. Since the end of 2020, prices in Phoenix have risen a combined 19.4% – more than anywhere else (as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index). In spite of these challenges, Leisure World continues to provide a wonderful community in which to live, keeping costs reasonable, even with turbulent inflation costs. District Chair Email Addresses District1@LWCA.com , District3@LWCA.com , District4@LWCA.com , District5@LWCA.com , District6@LWCA.com , District7@LWCA.com , District8@LWCA.com January 4, January 11, January 18, January 25 By Jason Doll Ready or not, 2023 is here, and with it comes time for a refresh and a restart for everyone. As you reflect on all 2022 held and look ahead to your resolutions for the New Year, I am sure your mind is filled with thoughts of family, friends, get-togethers, upcoming travels and of course your favorite home here in Leisure World Arizona. Whether your New Year resolutions consist of keeping your hands out of the cookie jar, starting a new hobby, or giving your heartfelt word to others, we begin a fresh journey into a new year. While I may not know what the future holds, what I do know is the many things I am thankful for: the health of my family, a tremendous staff, a great board, and an amazing community of members here at Leisure World who provide continued support, and inspiration. What I enjoy about a new year is slowing down and acknowledging all the great things I have in my life and what is truly important. It helps me delete the little distractions in my life that can seem to be important but really are not. When I stop and think, I remember the pandemic and the impact it had on each one of us and the world: we lost loved ones, it changed our rituals and our wanderings, it affected our homes and our communities. I think of my dear friend overseas who was healthy one day and passed away just a month later. Although they are not great thoughts, they help me to make sure I don’t lose track of what is truly important and where I put my energy and time going forward. A new year comes with new opportunities. Although there are things we cannot control in life, 2023 is what we make out of it. It is time to seize the opportunities presented to you this coming year. First and foremost, spend time with people you love – always. Pick up the phone. Make some plans. Get outside, even when the couch is calling. Immerse yourself in a good book. Eat good food. Have some wine. Stay up late. Go to concerts. Go for a sail. Travel abroad with someone you care about. Tell your stories. Tell others’ stories. Listen. Call your kids or grandkids. Move your body. Give back. And always be grateful for another day. As Leisure World goes into 2023, I believe that we will see this community overall seize opportunities. As we embark on another year together, I am excited to see our momentum forward. Although the nation, and especially Phoenix region faces certain economic and fiscal challenges, still trying to recover from COVID, the biggest disruption in the world, we are coming back better than ever. My goal – and the goal of our leadership and their teams – is to ensure our residents have the resources and service they need for optimal living. We are committed to providing a positive and collaborative culture for a promising future! Our team will continue to work diligently with the Board and residents to enhance our community and promote unity, all while maintaining an attractive and fun environment for our residents. Leisure World is much more than a place with buildings, it’s a community, it’s your community! It’s a place of greatness measured by the caliber of its people and what makes us thrive. My hope for you and yours in the NewYear is that you can truly focus on what means most in life. Give yourself permission to not sweat the small stuff and do the things you desire and share it with the people you care about. I hope the new year brings new opportunities for connection and growth. Take advantage of enjoying the benefits of living in such a wonderful place and embrace 2023. I hope that when I am out and about in the community, I have a chance to visit with each one of you. Together, we will continue to create a thriving, harmonious and prosperous community known as the best place to live in the Valley! Happy New Year to all and may 2023 be your best year ever! FROM OUR COMMUNITY MANAGER