Annual Budget Meeting

​We are looking forward to this Thursday’s annual meeting for the approval of our 2017 budget.  We will have a few other agenda items and updates that we wanted to share before we meet.
 
AGENDA

• Annual Meeting
  • Welcome and Call to Order
  • Unfinished Business
  • New Business
    • 2017 proposed budget review and approval
• Community (Informal) Meeting
  • Development Update
  • Contact forms on HOA web page
  • Traffic Committee Update
  • Q & A 

BUDGET
 
The 2017 proposed budget is very similar to the adopted budget of 2016.  The notable changes are as follows:

• The Dais Telecommunications line item has been reduced in 2017. The 2016 revenue and expenses were based on an anticipated increase in residents that was slower than the actuals.  Note that the Dais expenses are a ‘pass-through’ expense, meaning that the HOA experiences expenses in the same amount as its revenue. 
• There is an increase in the fees for duplexes and townhomes.  As these units are aging, the HOA will begin to accrue larger reserve accounts for building repair and painting.  Other increases with these units are a result of the HOA having a better history of actual expenses.
• We have received a few questions regarding the additional revenue that will be collected towards Amenity Fees (which are specifically allocated to the Aquatic Center and LP Fit).  This revenue is based on a per-home fee of $29/month.  With more homes closed, the total revenue increases.  Note that the developer continues to supplement funding for the operation of the amenity center, even with the additional revenue.
• There have also been some questions floating around regarding the Holiday Décor line item.  We think that it is important to note that commercial grade décor is more expensive than residential quality.  And its installation often requires specialized lift equipment on some of our monuments.  For next year, though, we will create a Décor Committee within the community for those who want to make the décor even better.

The management continually works to keep annual fees as reasonable as possible and to avoid large year-over-year increases.  The annual fees are still very much in line, or less than other master planned communities of Laureate Park’s size.
 
DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
 
Since our last meeting, a few new developments of note:

• The USTA National Campus officially opened in early January.  This one-of-a-kind facility is open to the public and there are many lessons and training opportunities to be had.  The facility will soon begin hosting collegiate match play tennis, and we encourage you to attend some of these events (they will be free to the public during the first year).
• KPMG announced that it will be constructing its $400 million training center in Lake Nona.  The center will be home to a 800-room private hotel and training campus. 
• Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club are scheduled to open during the next two weeks.
• Bosphorous (Turkish Cuisine) is nearing completion and should open in February or March.
• There are two new builders at Laureate Park, Pulte Homes and Dreamfinders Homes.

 
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE ON LAUREATE BLVD.
 
When the authorized repair work began on Laureate Blvd. (near the VA), the crews encountered some soil issues that required additional modifications to the initial scope.  Because this work is being completed by the Greeneway Improvement District, the additional scope of work must be approved by its Board of Supervisors.  It is anticipated that the scope will be approved on 1/17, and then the repairs can begin.  In the interim, the City of Orlando should be approving a Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) plan that should allow two-way traffic while the repair is in progress.  We anticipate being able to open the road to two-way traffic again in the next two weeks.