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from the treasurer Operations Summary: The 2013 fiscal year is off to a good start. Income exceeded expense for the month by $120,959 which means the Association is better than the plan by $83,006 after adjusting for what the plan had anticipated ($37,953) for January. There were a number of changes to the budgeting process for 2013 and the table included with this article has been modified. The changes are discussed below. Non-Operations: Property transfers were again active in January with 16 transfers being recorded. Resales averaged 14.2 per month in 2012 with 15 in December. What is interesting is that it would normally be expected that the December/January period would be relatively slow. Interest income for January amounted to $13,069; 2011 averaged $12,846 per month. The Month: Some of the highlights from January include: HOA: Little activity in Legal or Bad Debt accounts in January resulting in these accounts being under budget by $16,700. F/B: Revenue was less than planned but expense was reduced sufficiently to result in the operation beating its expense budget by $8,571. Golf: Beat its expense budget by $21,917. Daily green fees exceeded the plan by $10,400 (31 percent). Another $13,000 was due to a difference in phasing the budget over the year. Utility expenses (primarily water) for both the golf courses and the common areas were $46,500 under budget. Salary and benefit expenses for all areas were $22,500 under budget. This was primarily due to vacant positions in Administration for part of January and reduced activity in the Restaurant. Year-end surplus: 2012 ended with income exceeding By John Clark, Master Board Treasurer expense by $391,000 (includes the $30,000 rebate from Time Warner for renewing their contract). The Board reallocated the funds as follows: ��� $156,000 added to the 2013 income budget (helps to offset expense increases that would increase the monthly assessment). This includes the $30,000 rebate received from Time Warner when the contract was renewed last year. Identified above as Prior Year Surplus. ��� $ 90,000 added to landscaping for 2013 ��� $ 25,000 added for marketing Sun Lakes to the outside world in 2013. ��� $ 20,000 Miscellaneous. ��� $100,000 added to 2014 budget (to help offset increases in expense). The Table: Simplified by grouping all income sources together and all expense sources together. The 2013 budget for income has been increased by adding budget for Resale fees (Social Memberships) and Interest Income. Budget was not assigned to these accounts in prior years. Operational Contingency Funds: Work on common area grounds and the Main Clubhouse accounted for all of the Reserve spending this month. January���s excess income ($83,006) plus the normal monthly allocations to the budget, less the expenditures resulted in an increase in the total of OPS funds of $193,381. Finally, the thought for the day. Blessed are those who can give without remembering and receive without forgetting. Enuf: Comments, etc., to jclar1@dc.rr.com (new email address) New Members of Staff Jeremy Wilson, General Manager for Sun Lakes Country Club, introduces two members to the management staff. Mark Burchfield, Golf Course Superintendent, joined the management staff in December. Mark has extensive experience in golf course management in both California and Arizona. He was named ���2005 Superintendent of the Year������ in Golfweek/Super News Magazine. Charlie Magnan, Office Manager, joined Sun Lakes in February. Charlie has experience in Association management in active adult communities and she holds certifications through California Association of Community Managers and Community Association���s Institute. Please help welcome Mark and Charlie to the Sun Lakes family. epap Animal Rescue Those of you who were lucky enough to attend the January meeting, had a treat hearing Chris Harwood, the Beaumont Animal Control Officer. He gave an informative presentation on the laws of owning a dog and other pets, and answered many questions we had about other animals and wildlife. Since it was so pertinent to our organization, I am sure that we will invite him back again . Hopefully, our expert on turtles will be able to make to our meeting on March 18. I know many of our residents have turtles as a pet and are anxious to hear her. I will try to get out the word as soon as I know. The dogs of Sun Lakes seem to be laying low this winter. The only one we had, was tagged and returned immediately. What a joy! Thank you again for all of you who have been donating towels, blankets, etc. We have been finding many more shelters in our area and they are very thankful for all the goods. Don���t forget the meeting on March 18, at 10 am in the Main Clubhouse Multipurpose Room. Info., Helen Mattias, 797-0583. Attn. Golf Cart Owners Golf cart re-registration: When you buy a new or used golf cart from a neighbor, Carlos or another dealer, you must register it with the Main Office, Laura Wilson or Clint Martinez. Please take off your number and bring it with you upon your request for a new one. Two years ago, our committee, with much assistance, registered all the golf carts in Sun Lakes - nearly 3,000. There has been some minor theft, carts on the golf course and people injured in accidents - these all required immediate location of the owner via registration numbers. Thank you for your cooperation. 4 | sun lakes lifestyles | march 2013 | community news Delegate Assembly Report Joe Formino, Chairman, District Delegate Assembly Last month we wrote an overview on the position of being a member of the Board of Directors. Now is the time to be more specific of the duties of a Board Member. A member of the Board of Directors has the obligation of governing the business of our complex, whether it involves the lifestyles of our community or the financial well-being of the Homeowners Association. The job can be likened to running your own life and home. When you are considering making a major decision, you do your homework. You read and study the facts of a project ��� will it fit your need, can you handle the cost, is it necessary to do what you are contemplating, do you have the power and authority to do it. It is easier when Board Members analyze and study a project because you have five people contributing to the discussion, what one doesn���t think of another will. When Board members offer ideas and concepts, it doesn���t take a genius to sort them out and come to a positive conclusion. A conscientious Board Member will spend approximately 15 or 20 hours a week studying the subject at hand or attending meetings. The monthly open board meeting is almost incidental, the studying of projects and preparatory meetings for the monthly meeting are most important. Viewing the above, you can appreciate the need of an open mind and the ability to negotiate with others. This type of attitude makes for better relations with other board members. Many times in the past the Board of Directors will hold town hall meetings or hearings or submit a project to the Delegate Assembly for advice or guidance. The Board may also consult professionals when the subject dictates a need. Keep in mind, however, the Board does not need voter approval for any project under 5 percent of the annual expense budget. It is apparent that common sense and good judgment is needed to be a member of the Board of Directors. Finally, objectivity is important in every consideration. There is no place for a personal agenda, or pet peeve or an impractical project that has no merit. Members of the Board of Directors are residents of Sun Lakes Country Club who have volunteered their time to take care of our community ��� for this we are very thankful. community news | sun lakes lifestyles | march 2013 | 5

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