Rules Were Made to be Broken
Apparently that old adage is alive and doing well in Sun City Huntley. It certainly holds true if you happen to own a golf cart. One of the many rules in Sun City states that golf carts are not allowed to be driven on sidewalks or grass in common areas.
However, they are routinely parked on the grass at Wildflower Lake, the ball field, and the outdoor pavilion area where the free concerts are held.
Furthermore, the only way to access these places with a golf cart is to drive on a sidewalk. When I inquired about this infraction of the rules, I was told “Oh, we tend to overlook that rule.” My complaint is not about golf carts and their owners but rather the cavalier attitude about breaking the rules. Why are a small group of residents given special privileges? Wouldn’t those that are having an estate sale like to put out a sign? Or, perhaps someone with a special interest in politics would like to promote their candidate with campaign signs on their front lawn.
Are our leaders waiting until someone is seriously injured by a golf cart being driven on the sidewalk? A few years ago my husband broke his ankle when he stepped in a rut made by a golf cart at Wildflower Lake. At the time we were relatively new here and unaware of the rule or we would have reported it. I have heard residents complain about some of the rules, but when we purchased our homes here, we agreed to abide by the rules. It is the responsibility of our directors to enforce the rules or eliminate them. They can’t pick and choose which rules they are going to enforce.
Joyce Caile
Neighborhood 40
Before the Board went into a closed, executive session at the end of its Wednesday, September 17 meeting, everyone left expecting that all of the Board’s business for the day was completed.
I was advised Thursday morning that the Board, in fact, did continue with additional board business upon its return. I can assume that all the other residents who attended the meeting were likewise unaware of any additional board motions or discussions.
Viewing the Channel 96 board meeting rebroadcast confirmed what transpired and who said what at the continuation of the regular meeting.
At issue is Management’s recommendation to discontinue performing Sun City’s $8,000,000 worth of accounting and financial services by its existing staff and outsource them. After whatever discussion occurred during the executive session, a motion was made and seconded requesting that the board vote to approve a contract outsourcing financial services to FSR (First Service Residential) Sun City’s management services provider. It was mentioned that the finance committee was advised about the proposed motion about a day ago but not consulted on the contract’s content or purpose.
Before voting on a major organizational restructure, one might first inquire whether there is any merit to the proposal. Was there any attempt to solicit competitive bids? What is the FSR’s plan and its fee? Why wasn’t the finance committee asked to evaluate the proposal and outsourcing concept? To not include the committee in board deliberations about this matter can easily be considered as an affront to its purpose and value. The spirit of qualified resident participation had been ignored.
Before a vote was taken on the matter, three board members spoke out, citing a lack of time to consider the proposal, avoid a sense of secrecy, a need to solicit finance committee input, and the obligation to present it to the residents for comments. The board’s final motion delayed immediate action on a vote to outsource and tabled the matter until the next general meeting.
During the regular open meeting, a motion was made to consider a painting vendor to do outside work. The discussion that followed revealed bids that were vastly different. It was ultimately determined that the bids reflected different and varying levels of service. The board agreed that an accurate item for item comparisons be submitted before considering a vote. No reference had been made to involving the facility advisory committee but, based on the financial outsourcing process, allowing qualified advisory residents to participate would have added expertise to the process.
Anything less than cooperation between the board, management, advisory committees, and open resident discussion diminishes the best interest of the community and discourages participation by residents who are capable of serving on various committees.
No harm done. Hopefully, these faux pas, for those who view them as such, will encourage improved performance.
Jim Darow
Neighborhood 5
With recent changes to the finance department, the board felt it was time to review options for the association accounting functions.
A directive was given to the FirstService Residential, as the management company, to provide the board with potential options.
The board received recommendations from FirstService Residential the beginning of August for review. They did a SWOT (Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats) Analysis and provided information to the finance committee for their input and review.
Some advantages to outsourcing are timely, consistent, and accurate reports while reducing net cost to the association in excess of 6 figures annually, along with increased transparency in reporting the finances to the residents. Residents would be able to access their accounts for up to date information, and we would still have adequate staff on hand to continue one on one customer service.
Lauren Lee
SCCAH Executive Director
