On Tuesday, November 1, 2022, at 7:30 PM the Board of Directors will determine the 2023 Assessment for Memorial Northwest. Last month the Board of Directors reviewed the 2023 proposed budget to best serve our community. Everyone in our community should be aware of the current economic conditions facing our nation and the world. The mid-term elections are happening now so get out and vote.
For our community, we see an increase in costs of wages, insurance, and services due to inflation and other uncontrollable circumstances. Based on the proposed 2023 budget, an increase of 10% does not provide any increased funding towards reserves for future asset replacement.
The Board has taken extraordinary steps this past summer to dramatically change directions to better aligned quality services for our community. We now have another property management company (FirstService Residential) dedicated and aligned to our community needs. The strategy is simple, provide easy access and accountable service within our subdivision.
We have a new Property Manager and Lifestyle Coordinator that offices at our Community Center and are dedicated to our needs. Please feel free to stop by and say hello.
I hope to see you at our Board meeting on Tuesday.
Learn about how our Homeowners Assocaition Functions and provides services to our members.
On Wednesday, October 26, 2022 from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM at the Community Center, we are having a Training Class to provide an overview on the governance of our homeowners association and how it works for the membership.
The course covers governing documents, corporate structure, board and member obligations, and much more.
Please email (greg.schindler@mnwhoa.org) that you plan to attend as this will help provide the right number of handout materials.
On Tuesday, October 4 we begin our discussions about the 2023 budget year. This is a very challenging and difficult time as there are many economic factors to consider. One thing for sure is cost of community services are rising. The second most notable factor keeping cost down is volunteers who provide their skills and time. Without volunteers we must buy the community services we desire. Lastly, we need to consider future owners (our children) by considering reserve funding.
The Board has the difficult task to schedule our resources at our October and November meetings. The process to finalize the 2023 budget is at the Board meeting at the November 1 meeting.
We should all turn off the news regarding everything about the world, country, state, and county and focus on our own community. Taking on everything outside of our community appears to be a fool’s errand, but we can make an impact right here at home. Meet your neighbor, participate in social events, or join a committee. Make a difference right here and now.
Help us make 2023 the best year for Memorial Northwest through participation.
HOA transparency sometimes feels like an oxymoronic term. The truth of the matter there are opposing laws and regulations. On one hand “privacy” and on the other “transparency.” Those who volunteer to govern the membership interest must consider the consequences (jeopardy) of both.
Board members may not discuss any specific enforcement action or pending litigation seeking compliance from a neighbor. All property owners desire compliance from other property owners who neglect responsibility. This is the very essence of a Property Owners Association (an HOA). The final authority is a court order (from a judge) to enforce a deed restriction or an order of foreclosure to recover assessments. The Association attempts to resolve all issues through a no or low cost means for example letters, assistance from an area director or 209 hearing before the Board, etc. Owners who desire to contest an enforcement action must take personal action to resolve the issue. Ignoring a notice always ends poorly for the party neglecting to resolve an issue reasonably. No one desires unreasonableness.
Everyone should invest their money and time in their property and not fund the legal system to resolve an issue. The Association only recourse by law is to use the legal system for all enforcement actions unresolved.
Owners who desire to contest legal action pay their attorney and the Association’s attorney legal fees (Texas Property Code § 209.008). Eventually the Association recovers assessments and expenses either through foreclosure or a lean on property when sold. Seldom does an owner prevail even though we all read the absurd behaviors of other HOA’s. A judge considers the interest of all members in a community and the facts at hand. The primary goal of the HOA is to use resources wisely preserving property values and to enhance the quality of life for all members.
Your Board of Directors are working ethically and diligently to enforce the covenant made be each owner’s signature on the deed. We do focus on the number one reason communities fail to thrive, neglect. The Board will not discuss any litigation matter, but you may read about it for yourself through Public Information sources such as the Harris County District Clerk. You may create an account and search any public matter of the past or current. A simple search term is “Memorial Northwest.” Like any search, after a while you learn how to narrow down what you may be looking for.
If you are interested in searching public other public filings, you may create an account and search Harris County Clerk Records. Here you may find marriage, DBA, property records and HOA filings like restrictions, policies, etc.
If you want a great neighborhood, you must neighborly. If you desire a thriving community, you must participate. The only thing that is free is a volunteer.
I am dating myself by mentioning the lyrics in the Song by Five Man Electrical Band – Signs. I want to recognize and thank all our certified Sign Rangers in our neighborhood who continually remove the illegal signs placed in the country right-of-way, stapled to poles and taped to road signs.
Please watch out for these wonderful individuals picking up and taking away the signs that litter our streets and cause damage to our irrigation systems.
If you can do it safety, shout out THANK YOU when you see a Sign Ranger in action.
PUBLIC NOTICE: Anyone placing a sign within Memorial Northwest may result in fines and arrest by the Office of the Harris County Attorney.
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