Windsor Gardens Life

Windsor Life Page 4 Snapshots From General Manager Tami Bonner In December, while at home for the holidays, I received three emails from a resident at Windsor Gardens. Each one ended with a similar phrase: “I don’t know how you sleep at night” and “How do you even look at yourself in the mirror.” During those same days, I received an email that questioned why an association the size of Windsor Gardens doesn’t have 24-hour maintenance staff – not on-call, but on the property at all times. Windsor Gardens owners' thoughts and feelings concerning the association’s budget and spending priorities run the gamut. On one side are the residents who feel, as one articulated, that there should be a “cease and desist” on all HOA fee increases. While others have a long list of services, projects and plans that they would like funded. The seriousness of the financial state of this community is something that does weigh heavily on the boardmembers and staff. The concerns of individual residents who are managing what are often limited personal resources are heard and considered by the board and administrators when making decisions. We strive to manage the wellbeing of this community and the maintenance of the components we are called to preserve, protect and enhance in a responsible and respectful balance. And yes, sometimes there are sleepless nights in the process. Another thing I'd like to clarify: Windsor Gardens is a nonprofit entity, so when we create the budget that determines your monthly HOA assessment, there is no line item for profit. We are not a profit-making entity. The budget numbers are tied specifically and as exactly as possible to real expenses. Some of those expenses can be lessened by eliminating projects or employee responsibilities or even recreational amenities. However, most of the expenses increase or decrease with the ups and downs of the economy. HOA Fee Breakdown When you receive your monthly breakdown of your HOA fee in March, you will see the following line items: Operations, Gas/Electric, Water and Sewer, Property Taxes, Community Center, Property and Equipment, Capital Reserves, and Insurance. Operations: The operations portion of the budget includes administration costs, day-to-day maintenance costs, payroll costs, grounds maintenance costs, janitorial costs and community response costs. Essentially, this portion of your monthly HOA assessment accounts for the day-to-day operations of the community and makes up approximately 35% of your total HOA fee. For an A unit (1200 square feet) this equates to an average of $177 per month or $6 per day. For that $6 per day you are receiving the services of a grounds crew; trash pickup; EMT services; the use of a business center with computers and a printer; all of the services that are involved in sending out notifications via Pilera and the work order system; phone service to the office staff and the community response staff; a website; a monthly newspaper; legal services; broker management of your capital reserve investments; administrative staff; vehicle maintenance staff; two licensed plumbers; a licensed electrician; painters; annual window washing; and the daily repairs to roofs, walls, garages, elevators and intercom systems. Also included in that $6 per day, snow removal, tree trimming and care, and janitorial staff that clean all the common areas. Daily we are asked to provide additional services to the community. Every service added increases this portion of the fee. Gas / Electric: The gas/electric portion of the budget includes the costs of the gas used to heat water and heat your individual units as well as all of the common area electricity. This portion of the fee makes up approximately 7% of the total fee. While the rates tend to increase annually, the association continues to work on ways to reduce energy costs. Some of these cost-reduction measures include installation of more efficient boilers and hallway lighting as well as replacing outdoor lighting with LED lighting. Additionally, the association purchases the gas used for heat on the open market rather than directly from Xcel Energy. Over time this has saved the association a significant amount in energy costs. Water and Sewer: The water and sewer portion of the budget includes the cost of the water used in each of the units as well as the water used to irrigate the property. Additionally, a large portion of this budget is allocated to sewer services. This portion of the fee makes up approximately 6% of the total fee. Property Tax: The property tax portion of the HOA assessment is a direct reflection of the amount the City and County of Denver charges to each of the units in Windsor Gardens. In January of this year, each owner should have received a property tax statement for their unit. The amount on that statement will be paid for you by the association this year. You will see that amount reflected on your 2019/2020 HOA monthly assessment. The total amount of your property taxes is divided by 12 and charged to you on a monthly basis starting with the April 2019 HOA assessment. As of the date of this writing, the association has not yet received the latest property tax bill that will be reflected on the 2019/2020 assessment. In the 2018/2019 fiscal year, the property tax portion of the HOA fee made up approximately 16% of the annual fee. Community Center: The next line item on your HOA assessment is called “Community Center.” This portion of the coupon actually covers the community center, golf course and restaurant expenses. It represents approximately 5% of your total fee. This fee is offset by income generated in each of these departments. The community center fee has not increased in five years and has only increased $7 over the past 21 years. Please note that Windsor Gardens is an amenities-based community, and as such whether you use the amenities or not, their maintenance must continue to be a part of the overall budget for the community. Property and Equipment: Next, we have property and equipment. This line item covers the cost of association assets. Examples would be tractors, lawn mowers, snow plows, vehicles, fitness center equipment, pool furniture, community center furniture and office furniture. All equipment is well maintained (part of the operations continued on page 5 Windsor Gardens Association Annual Meeting Thursday, February 28, 6 p.m. Auditorium Presentation of the 2019-2020 association budget to the association membership. 2019 HOA BUDGET & FEES Part 1