[villages07]

More questions than answers here...those who have been here longer or studied this subject in greater depth might be able to lend some clarity.

In the beginning, the developer built the amenities.... pools, rec centers, exec golf courses. He essentially financed the construction of the amenities. After a period of time (as neighborhoods are built out), a batch of amenities are bundled together and sold by the developer to the appropriate commercial district (VCCDD for North of 466; SLCDD for South of 466). The commercial district pays for these purchases via bonds (not to be confused with the homeowner bond) which are repaid via a portion of our amenity fees.

We, the homeowners, pay our monthly amenity fees to our respective commercial district. A portion of our amenity fees goes to pay off the bond used to purchase the amenities from the developer. The remainder goes for daily operation and maintenance of the amenities. The commercial districts are governed by the commercial landowners, primarily appointed by the developer. Thus, there have been some complaints about the price the commercial districts paid to the developer for these bundles of amenities. Also, and this is where the class action settlement applies, there was no adequate replacement and reserve pot being seeded or built for eventual capital expenditures to renovate or update the various amenities.

So, if the above is substantially correct...my question is...who actually manages the amenity budget and decides what are necessary expenditures? If amenities are being directed by the commercial district members, what are their priorities? Who decides when it is time to update the La Hacienda rec center or renovate the Chula Vista Golf Course or replace the pool furniture at Springdale pool? And, who actually owns the amenities after they are purchased from the developer? The homeowners, some corporation, or ???

I agree that everything runs pretty smoothly now at what is a very reasonable monthly fee. My fear is what happens in 10 years when all new development is essentially finished and a lot of the facilities are starting to show their age. Will they and can they be kept at their current quality level with the same inflation-adjusted reasonable fees that we are paying for now? I sure hope so.

I agree that the homeowners should have some advisory role in the development and execution of the amenity budget but like leaving the decision making to the pros.