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FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | DECEMBER 2023 5 Message From The Board December is here and the holidays are upon us. With 2023 coming to an end, the Board of Directors is working to ensure we leave best practices for future Boards. This past year alone we have enacted several new policies and look to the future for ways to help both the environment and our budget. This year, the Board is in the process of enacting a Code of Ethics and Rules of Conduct. This was not brought about by any one issue or incident, but rather to ensure all volunteers, including the Board and spouses, are above reproach. We researched other HOAs and worked with the Association's attorney to tailor the policy to our specific needs. This new policy should take effect in December. In April, we executed a contract for a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to provide solar services to our three facilities. This agreement will ensure that our budget process will be accurate for our electricity services each year. In the agreement, we will be guaranteed a price of $0.14 per kilowatt for the first year with an increase of 2.99 percent each additional year of the 25-year contract. In researching our past Southern California Edison bills, the raise per year was historically between 8 percent to 10 percent. Construction is planned to begin in spring 2024. Our landscape vendor contract is one of the largest contracts the Association signs each year. The Board members believe it is our fiduciary duty to ensure we are receiving the best service at the best cost. To that end, every three-to-four years the Board goes out for a Request for Proposal (RFP). This year, we sent RFPs to six vendors. Five responded, and one declined. The Board and our Contracts Team reviewed all proposals looking not only at cost, but also at which vendor would best serve our community. We determined Park West, our current vendor, would be awarded the contract. Not only did they provide a competitive price, but they also provided many additional perks like a $60K credit for any plantings or service. This contract will now run January through December allowing for better budget preparation. The Community Planning Committee (CPC) was tasked to work on a Strategic Plan in 2019, and the Board approved the Plan in October 2023 (delayed due to COVID). The Strategic Plan was mailed, along with the 2024 Budget, to every homeowner at the end of November. The Strategic Plan outlines the vision for our community, in addition to the desired outcome, and how we will achieve the results. This will be a living document, updated as necessary, and sent to all residents every two years. The 2024 budget has been prepared; however, as I write this article, the Board has not met to approve, so I am unable to provide details (although by the time you read this, you will have already received the new budget in the mail). The budget will be mailed to each resident, per civil code, starting at the end of November. Each year the Budget/ Finance Committee, and the Board, work through the entire budget, line by line, to adjust numbers and ensure our association is fully funded to meet our expenses. Putting things into perspective, we are funding a corporation with a $5.7 million operating budget. Each year we have come within a small percentage of balancing, which is an amazing feat. Now on to the fun stuff. To recap this year, we have not only had five amphitheater concerts, but also added five dance parties on the Loggia and in the Ballroom. Cindy and her team continue to amaze us all with the number of events planned and executed flawlessly. We all look forward to seeing what will be next. By the way, the next time you're in the Ballroom, check out the amazing lighting that was installed. It should provide an excellent backdrop for all the upcoming holiday parties. Speaking of holidays, no matter what or how you celebrate, the Board wishes you a wonderful holiday season and a fantastic 2024. The Board meets the second Thursday of each month at 1 pm in the Ballroom and we encourage everyone to attend and see the workings of the association. Per civil code, the Board cannot engage in conversation with any homeowner input. If you prefer to meet with the Board in a less formal setting, Meet with the Board is a more intimate setting where the Board can engage in conversation with you on almost anything you wish to discuss (exceptions include any issues currently in litigation). Meet with the Board is the third Wednesday of each month in the Ballroom at 2 pm. If you have any questions or concerns, I can be reached at kathycravenBoard@yahoo.com or at (714) 722-1301. Have a great month and be kind to one another. By Kathy Craven, Board Vice-President

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