Published: October 27, 2008 10:17 am      

General manager's report: 32nd annual membership meeting

General manager's report: 32nd annual membership meeting

Oct. 23, 2008

Let me begin my report for this year with an excerpt from the summary of my report at last year's annual meeting.

"We are faced with a significant financial impact over the next 5 years.  We must look at all avenues of cost avoidance and income generation.  At no time has it been more important to take a hard look at those amenities that have the potential to generate income and to ensure that we take full advantage of that potential." 

Little did we know or could we anticipate the economic dilemma that this nation is facing in 2008.  We have seen fuel prices skyrocket leading to increased costs across the board.  We saw investment earnings drop off.  The POA Board, advisory committees, management, and staff all worked on ways to get through 2008 on a lean budget made even leaner because of circumstances beyond their control while, at the same time, moving ahead with needed upgrades and improvements to the amenities.  Recreational programs remained intact and services to the membership continued.  We have made it this far without cuts in what the POA provides.  The remaining months of 2008 and all of 2009 present a continued challenge to meet the expectations of the POA members.

In some areas of the 2008 Budget, we were overly optimistic in the expected income.  The potential income was there but many factors had an adverse effect on the income generated.  The 2009 Budget is a greater challenge than 2008.  Many variables are considered during the budgeting process.  Expected increases in utilities, inflationary concerns, interest rates, and on and on.  All different factors that are not easily definable go into establishing the budget.  The process evaluates all of the factors that can be identified so that we can determine what it is that we can reasonable expect to happen.

The key word here is "expect".  Expectation is the mother of disappointment.  We all have expectations and when those expectations are not met we are left with disappointment.  We can have a perfect plan in place only to see it not achieve the expected results because of factors outside of our control like unanticipated events or actions by others that change the basic foundation of our plan.  In other words, "Stuff happens."

The strength of the POA is the tangible assets that the POA owns.  Throughout the years the POA has existed, the value of its assets has steadily increased.  Over the years the various Board of Directors have all worked to protect the assets of the POA by maintaining and improving the amenities offered by the POA.  The improvements the past year have nearly tripled the value of Cabin Point.  The POA has some very valuable property in its inventory.  This goes a long way in keeping the POA stable during difficult economic times.  Disposing or selling off these assets would only serve to weaken the POA's ability to meet the expectations of it members.

It is true that the POA has not met the expectations of some of its members, but it continues to meet the expectations of the majority of its membership.  It is impossible to please everyone.  To even attempt this would mean failure.  The POA gets suggestions all of the time.  Do not think that a suggestion was not considered because it was not implemented.  A suggestion today may not be practical or fit the general direction of the POA, but may very well work in the future.  An off the cuff suggestion no matter how well thought out may be forgotten, but a written suggestion with facts and procedures will be strongly considered if not now, it will be filed for future use.  Not a day goes by that the leadership of the POA is not looking for fresh ideas or input on how to effectively meet the expectations of the POA membership.

Respectively submitted,

David Sutton

LTVPOA, General Manager