Suggestions, questions, and concerns will be published here to ask the FOSA board to respond in writing to seek better transparency! ★ 2020 Letters to the FOSA board ★ April 11 ★ April 11 Dear FOSA Board, It is not my intent to be involved in micro-managing FOSA expenditures; but it would be foolish of me to absorb recent 10% increases in the FOSA annual homeowner’s assessment, without question. If the board would provide some indication as to how long these large increases will continue, it may alleviate some of the anxiety homeowners feel. Now is not a good time for such increases to continue without limit. Furthermore, if the board would indicate what major item(s) each 10% increase is to be used for, as well as providing a simple mechanism for feedback from homeowners (email vote?), these increases might be easier to swallow. Sincerely, Paul Predecki (FOS address included)
★ We just finished viewing KFA meeting video. Being back in Iowa, this is a great way to stay up to date with what is happening in FOS. As we listened, I thought we have so much knowledge among our members, and residents brainstorming about these items is a great way to save money and give all of us an opportunity to have a voice. We are excited about KFA and applaud the speakers group idea. -Dave and Doreen Lechner ★ What is the limit the FOSA board can spend without a vote? In the past, it was $40,000, but the board has removed that spending limit and now claim that they can spend $1-million without a vote. Can they do this? -Bev Kershner ★ Are any board members invited to KFA meetings? Why don't they find out how we feel? -John Ohlsen ★ We were told that the offices are to be remodeled this summer. This is money wasted if they want to remodel the whole building. - Ernest Binder ★ If we wish to accomplish our goals to keep Fountain of the Sun Affordable, we must stay unified! Let us not be like Washington D.C. -Sherry Schoneman ★ There is no reason to purchase the golf course. In 1989, the course was made private and now they want the whole community to own (buy) it. Many people do not golf and should not have to pay for it - Ernest Binder ★ They [the board] want all new buildings, but the houses and condos will be 50 years old. Who would buy a 50 or 60 year old house? ★ There was a comment at the April 15 meeting that the maxi parks belong to all residents. Yes, true. The person also said she thought the parks should be returned to desert conditions. I believe that FOSHA had sent a survey a few years ago about options to turn the grass areas to desert. The same problem then as today. Big ideas, bkut no cost-benefit analysis given at all, so owners had no idea if this would cost or save any money (i.e.) affect the HOA fees. I do not recall ever seeing results of that surey or any costing.
★ At the April 1, KFA meeting, a vote of the estimated 150 KFA members present approved sending this letter and this attachment to the FOSA board. A copy of these letters was also placed on the table for each of the 7 board members at the April 8 board meeting. On the agenda for that board meeting, under "Correspondence" the agenda read: "None" That, of course, was false. At that board meeting, the FOSA president said, "If you have any questions, ask the board members and we will answer." Perhaps KFA members need to ask the FOSA board why they did not answer or even acknowledge the letter that KFA sent to them.
FOSA board email addresses: ★ Apr 1: We were told that putting FOSHA and FOSCA together (merger) would save us money. I feel that homeowners fees sould be reduced. I feel the board should be told at the next meeting so that they can plan their spending accordingly. From J.A. Twaiten ★ Apr 1 meeting: 21 more comments were submitted on 3x5 cards and the text of all those will added here asap.
★ Mar 18: Will the community have an opportunity to vote on all the updates and assessments? ★ Mar 18: How can we change rules so the board cannot pass things over the summer. Need to have a majority of home-owners approve. ★ Mar 18: Affordability to all of dues. 10% increase?? Keep our HOA fees at $800 as promised when FOSHA and FOS were combined. ★ Mar 18: There is a lack of maintenance on the facilities we have - sprinklers don't work, etc. Take care of what we have! ★ Mar 18: What about the flooding of the green basins? Any of the facilities installed there will be ruined when flooded. ★ Mar 18: We have to remember not HOA but assessment. ★ Mar 18: To maintain FOS in the standards that we have come to expect. How do you see us moving forward with these expectations and keeping dues reasonable? What do you see as affordable dues for our community with our present services? ★ Mar 18: Look around the outside neighborhoods. A super "fancy" gated community will not survive very long. Spend modestly on upgrades. ★ Mar 18: Make south entrance a high priority. ★ Mar 18: Have block captains to set up organization. ★ Mar 18: Really too much on computer for info as a lot of older people don't have. Every resident should be made aware of what is going on. ★ Mar 18: Great agenda. Please keep it positive!! And good point to avoid just complaining. One suggestion: Give an example of a good suggestion and not a complaint. A good suggestion should identity an area that needs improvement and offer a suggested remedy. For example: Not everyone has a computer or smart phone. May I recommend having neighborhood teams visit neighbors who cannot attend the meetings or do not have Internet to give them updates on the agenda and ask for their comments and suggestions.
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