Members did indeed approve the $7.2 million renovation and replacement (R&R) project in a landslide vote. Almost 60 percent of votes, or 1,123 of 1,873 votes cast, supported the proposal while 39.4 percent, or 738 votes, came in against. There were 12 abstentions.
Stephanie Davis and James Gerling were elected to fill two vacancies on the LMOA Board of Directors. Davis received 1,027 votes and Gerling received 825 votes. Incumbent Director Charles Harrelson lost his seat with 778 votes while a fourth candidate, Jan Shattls, received 720 votes.
Almost immediately the results of the vote were plagued by confusion. Though the election committee declared that there were 1,788 valid votes, both by proxy and in person, the R&R proposal somehow managed to receive 1,873 votes – a difference of 85 votes.
The election committee worked through the weekend to determine the source of the confusion. On Monday (June 29) it released an updated report explaining the problem. LMOA’s elections are weighted; that is, people who own three lots, for example, have their votes counted three times. “The number of valid proxies reported at the meeting reflected the number of voters and did not take into account that some voters are owners of multiple lots and therefore get multiple votes,” the report read. Taking that into account, the report said, there were 1,873 total valid ballots and proxies in the election.
About 70 people gathered at the Lake Monticello clubhouse Saturday to hear the results of the election. When Marlene Weaver, president of the LMOA Board, declared that the R&R proposal had passed, cheers and applause filled the room.
“I couldn’t have asked for any better outcome and I am very, very happy,” Weaver said through tears. “I welcome the two new directors to the Board. Our work will begin immediately on implementation of our plans. I thank the entire community who supported this effort for the R&R which will give Lake Monticello a new direction. I am very excited to get started.”
General Manager Catherine Neelley agreed. “I’m delighted to see the proposal pass,” she said. “I’m anxious to get started on the renovation and replacement of the buildings. It’s going to be a busy year. This is an exciting time and I’m happy for the association.”
The R&R project will make improvements to LMOA facilities, most notably renovating the Ashlawn Clubhouse, demolishing the Eagle’s Nest pro shop building, and constructing a new Bunker Recreation Center.
To finance the $7.2 million project, LMOA will remove $5.8 million from the community’s emergency reserve account (ERA), paying back $2 million over the course of 15 years. Annual dues will increase by $95 from $693 to $788. All homeowners also pay an improved property fee of $150 annually.
“It’ll be an interesting year,” said newly-elected Director Stephanie Davis, “and I really appreciate all the people that came out and supported me with their votes.”
“I’m glad and I thank all the voters,” said newly-elected Director James Gerling. “I appreciate it and I’ll do my best to serve the community.”
