10/22/23, 4:13 PM
HIDE & SNEAK
In our January 26, 2023 story, “HOA or CIA?” Ranch Matters reported on a BAC meeting facilitated by BAC Chairman, Herb Parker a day earlier.
As reported, the meeting included all of the Ranch Department Heads, Manager Judy Lapora and unexpectedly, the following Ranch Directors: President Kari Vickery, former VP Ara Erdekian, Secretary Mike Dries, Sheryl Jones, Richard Beveridge, Sarah Woolverton and former Treasurer Randy Peterson via zoom.
Parker initially declared the meeting a “Combined BAC/BOD Meeting” and Association members in attendance were only allowed to “observe” and then Parker enacted some interesting rules/restrictions?
The Department Heads presented their individual budgets along with explanations related in part, to increased costs, as well as any significant fiscal matters impacting their particular Department and/or budget.
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Ranch Golf Course Superintendent Richard Jensen’s presentation followed standard procedural guidelines as he explained his Department’s budget. He reported a “significant” increase related to salaries and wages.
Jensen also addressed higher costs and an extra charge for water usage related to drinking fountains.
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WHAT SIGNIFICANT ISSUE DID JENSEN HIDE IN HIS PRESENTATION & WHY? SNEAKY?
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REWIND
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As previously reported, a questionable AFE (Authorization for Expenditures) for $21,723.12 was unanimously approved, AFTER THE FACT, at the February 20, 2023, Regular Board of Directors meeting.
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The $21K AFE was for an Abbas Pump Service Invoice that RICHARD JENSEN and JUDY LAPORA presented and defended at the Board meeting.
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They knew they had violated Policies and intentionally withheld this information from the Directors until the February 20th Board meeting.
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Both Jensen and Lapora provided their individual and collective accounts along with an interesting admission by Jensen.
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Director Ara Erdekian asked Jensen: “At what time did you know it was going to be twenty-two thousand dollars?
Jensen replied: “It was back in NOVEMBER (2022). Judy and I sat down and talked about it and JUST WENT WITH IT.”
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THERE’S MORE
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In the CRR Budget/Audit Committee (BAC) Meeting MINUTES, dated December 14, 2022, there’s an interesting line item-Line Item 22.
“22 GOLF MAINTENANCE:
Manager Lapora stated that Superintendent Richard Jensen has REVIEWED and REVISED most of the estimated costs for Golf Maintenance.
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*6-Back 9 Irrigation System Renovation: Chair Parker reported that the estimated cost for this item has risen to $841,500 and is projected to be completed in FY2025.
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*20-Toro 4500D Rough Mower (RM4) Bought 6-2015: Manager Lapora corrected the Amount funded at 100%.
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*31-Toro Procore 648 Aerator: Update Estimated Current Cost to $41,500.
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*35- Golf Maintenance Shop: Estimated Current Cost is $541,000. This needs to be completed as some items remain out in the weather, the only heat is a wood stove, and there is a well in the building.
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Karen Bennett suggested earmarking a certain amount from golf profits for this item, but Manager Lapora stated that an analysis is conducted every year.
Kevin Ellingsburg remarked that the golf course supports the entire Ranch, and suggested that we don’t dedicate dollars to just one area.
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Manager Lapora then explained that the Golf Course and Golf Maintenance cannot budget for a loss.
There is no depreciation on Operation Budget expenses; however, Capital Expenditures can be depreciated. The amount of depreciation for the previous years will always be put back into the Capital Reserve Plan.”
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Interestingly, there’s nothing in the December Minutes mentioning any pending problems related to the “back 9 irrigation system motor pumps” as described in the $21K Abbas Invoice, again, submitted at the February 2023, Board Meeting.
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Number 6 above, regarding the “Back 9 Irrigation System Renovation” project, presented the perfect opportunity for Lapora to disclose to the BAC the back 9 irrigation pump problem, but she remained silent.
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Disturbingly, Manager Lapora and Jensen, knew about the problem in November 2022 and “JUST WENT FORWARD WITH IT.”
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To HELL with the BAC the BOD and more importantly the HOA MEMBERSHIP.
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HIDE & SNEAK
