Deja vu. Once again as the first light breaks across the horizon, I smile and reflect on the gift of this paradise. Once again, I have the privilege of working for you as President. Feel free to contact me anytime with your questions or concerns. Congratulations to Bob Israel, Fera Mostow, and Bruce Marley for being elected to the Board. And so it is time to get to work.
Since it is deja vu, I thought I would once again explain our forecasted monthly expenses. These amounts are based on the 2018 budget. As you know, our monthly assessment per homeowner unit is $259. Of this amount, $47 is credited to the Replacement Fund – this is the savings account used to pay for future items that need replacement, repair, or renovation. The balance of the monthly assessment, or $212 per homeowner unit, is forecasted to pay estimated monthly operating expenses as follows:
- $48 for Facilities Maintenance
- $39 for General/Administration
- $29 for Golf
- $26 for Property Protection
- $23 for Landscaping
- $15 for Recreation/Lifestyle
- $10 for Utilities
- $12 for Fitness
- $7 for Food/Beverage
- $1 for Capital Improvements
- $2 for Common Area Improvements
- $3 for Contingency Fund
- $6 for Depreciation
You may notice that the expenses I listed total $221 per homeowner unit per month. The difference ($221 vs. $212) is paid from other income that is anticipated to be earned during the year.
In funding the list above, we are paying for the amenities and lifestyle we enjoy. Not one of the items listed above makes a profit, and that is why we pay the monthly assessments. All of these items are subsidized by our monthly assessments.
So, I have been asked many times during the past year, why doesn’t the restaurant make money? Why are we paying a subsidy for the restaurant? The answer is the same as for all the other items listed. We are paying a subsidy on all these items because they are conveniences that are supported by our monthly assessments. We don’t expect the swimming pools to make money, yet we pay to have them available. We don’t expect the fitness facilities to make money, yet we pay to have them available. We pay a subsidy on the Lifestyle programs so that we have them available.
When we pay the subsidy for the restaurant, it is no different than the subsidy for all the other amenities. We are paying a small cost for the availability of the restaurant; we are not paying to use the restaurant. So, don’t think the restaurant will ever break even; it won’t, just like all the other items; they too don’t break even. They are all part of a whole picture that contributes to the experience of enjoying life here at Shadow Hills. So, as you look at the list, you can see that the restaurant is actually one of the lowest cost amenities we have.
And because of all the terrific things I get to do, I will reflect on this beautiful day, the “good morning” greeting, all of the kind people who make me smile, and say to myself, “It doesn’t get any better than this.”
Kim Fuller
President