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FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK By the time you read this, the board will have adopted a budget for 2013. The Board takes this task very seriously, and we do our best to consider every aspect of Sun Lakes' financial needs and the potential impact our decisions will have on all of our residents. I think it is important that the residents understand the process and the reasoning that go into a budget's formulation. It began about four months ago when we met to develop a Budget Direction Memo for management to use in putting together its preliminary document. Once the Direction Memo was received, management held several meetings with the department heads to discuss the process, schedule, and provide them guidelines for creating their departmental budgets. By mid-July, the department heads had prepared their budgets, management and our accounting staff had reviewed them, and an initial budget was produced. Over the next four months there were ten meetings and workshops, seven of them open to all residents, specific to the budget. The first was held with the Finance Committee. After their review, the board met for several hours discussing the document line item by line item. We questioned many allocations and made several changes. After another meeting to review the second draft, we met with the Delegate Assembly for their review and input. This process continued throughout the summer until we ultimately adopted a fifth draft. There are a lot of things to consider in approving a budget for a community our size. First, we have to think of the quality of life and amenities we want to maintain, and what it will take to achieve those goals. We also have to consider the financial impact our decision will have on the residents. The diversity of age, economic, and health issues that exists in Sun Lakes is vast, and we know the need to balance our decisions with these things in mind. By George Moyer, SLCC HOA President The future well being of Sun Lakes facilities is also extremely important in the development of a budget. That is what our reserves are for, and they are in great shape. Currently we are at about 85 percent of the optimum. By all accounts, this is very good. Part of our budget direction was to keep that as our minimum goal. That was accomplished. In fact, the reserve analysis indicates, if we follow the current plan, we will continue to improve on that percentage every year. The current budget has been thoroughly thought out with a lot of input from committees and residents. Have we made everyone happy? Probably not. Have we done our best to develop a budget that will maintain the quality of life Sun Lakers moved here for, yet not have an adverse financial affect on our residents? I believe we did. There will be some people who felt we could do without some things, and as a result lower the monthly assessments. There are others who will question our decision to reallocate funds from one account to another within the budget, even though it had absolutely no affect on the bottom line. All I can tell you is that the current board has worked hard and diligently to produce a good working document that will serve Sun Lakes well now and into the future. You will soon be receiving a copy of the adopted budget. Please take a couple of minutes and review its content. I think you will find it informative and give you a better idea of what is takes to keep this wonderful community the great place it is to live in. Happy Thanksgiving. ATTENTION RESIDENTS: The Open Session Board Meeting, for Sun Lakes Country Club Homeowners Association, will be held at 10 am on Fri., Nov. 16, instead of 6:30 pm on Nov. 21. New to Sun Lakes? Join us for a New Homeowner Orientation Management will conduct a New Homeowner Orientation Meeting on Mon., Nov. 5, at 5:30 pm in the Main Clubhouse Ballroom. Staff will be present to discuss the various aspects of Sun Lakes Country Club and answer any questions new owners may have concerning the community. Please R.S.V.P. by 5 pm on Thurs., Nov. 1, by calling 845-2191. community news | november 2012 | 3

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