By Heather Michon, correspondent
Lake Monticello households will soon be receiving the bill for their 2019 dues and fees, and it’s going to be noticeably larger than it was this time last year.
In 2018, dues and improved property fees totaled $996.
For 2019, the total will climb to $1,073.
Under the association’s rules, the Board of Directors can unilaterally raise dues by 3 percent a year. For 2019, that means an increase of about $25, from $836 to $861.
Improved property fees, which cover recycling, trash, and storm cleanup, went up sharply from $160 in 2018 to $212 for 2018.
That increase is due to the hike in recycling costs.
Lake Monticello, like many communities across the country, was caught short early in the year when most trash haulers suddenly ended single-stream recycling. They quickly negotiated a new contract for curbside pickup of recyclables at a rate of about $1 a week per household.
LMOA has paid the difference between the old and new contracts since June, with the understanding that homeowners would take on that increased cost in 2019.
Several amenities will also see price increases.
The cost of a seasonal pass for a family using the new pool will go from $300 to $350, and an individual pass will rise from $90 to $100.
General Manager Steven Hurwitz said the increase is not due to the costs of constructing or running the new pool facility: “The fees for the pool have not increased in years, and with the new pool and better facilities, we believe the fees are still a good deal for the residents.”
The prices at the recently renovated Ashlawn tennis and pickleball courts are also going up. An individual season pass will rise from $67 in 2018 to $100 in 2019. An annual pass for couples will be offered at $170. Residents may play for free at the Tufton-Lafayette courts.
Marina fees are largely unchanged, although annual registrations for boats between 11-199 horsepower will see very modest increases of $2 to $5.
Golf memberships will rise anywhere between $20 to $200, depending on membership type. For example, the family plan will increase from $2,150 to $2,200, while an 18-hole membership with cart will go from $2,700 to $2,755.
Another fee that might affect residents comes in the form of a policy change that will require those who live inside the gates to get barcodes for their cars.
Currently, cars without barcodes can enter only at the Main Gate and Turkeysag.
“During rush periods those gates can get very backed up and the staff in the main gate can get very busy with assisting the residents entering the community,” said Hurwitz. “The policy change should help with that issue.”
A full list of the new fees can be viewed on LMOAvoice.org.
