Town Meeting - 1/17/13

 

Town Meeting – January 17, 2013

Members Present:

President Suzzi Combs                          Diane Jones

Vice President Rick Noffsinger              Joe Claflin 

Treasurer Tom Moore                            John Porter

Secretary Faye Taylor                            Diane Porterfield

 

GM Buddy Hudson

Member Absent:

Jack Watson

President Suzzi Combs opened the meeting by recognizing the many volunteer hours that were donated by Diamondhead residents during the Christmas Day Storm.  Suzzi is keeping a record of volunteer hours to request State Storm Relief Assistance.  Please send your name and hours of service to Suzzi at suzzicombs@yahoo.com

Youth Committee – Kathie Devilbiss - hellohotsprings@gmail.com 

 Youth Room has received a $500.00 donation from Mike & Susan Fikes – “Thank You!”

 Yard Sale – April 26^th & 27^th / Rain Day May 3^rd & 4^th

Movie Nights are being planned.

Public Safety Committee – Jerry McAnear

Recommends:

·        A second light switch in the Library Room

·        Chain saws available to the Police Department

·        ‘Special Needs’ List – a hard copy list of individuals that may need assistance during times of emergency / storms.

Golf Committee – Deotis Cotton

• Greens Mower needed
• Sprigging for Greens #1 & #18 needed
• Increase in Golf dues - $1130.00 Individual  // $1480.00 Family ($150.00 increase)
• Out Side Play is down “Way down”.

Fire Department Dues Increase

Wayne Robertson – President of the Volunteer Fire Department

• Explained need for dues increase.
• Options: 
• POA Flat Rate – $85.00   Using this option, the POA pays this fee for every home in Diamondhead whether they have paid their POA dues, or not.
• Home Square footage
•  0-999sq = $66
• 1000-1999sq = $76
• 2000-2999sq = $86
• 3000-5999sq = $106
• >6000sq = $126
• Out buildings are charged additionally

The Board is considering the option of allowing each individual home owner to pay their own Fire Insurance Coverage.  Mr. Robertson asked for prayer for Matt Simpson.

Ethics Committee – John Porter

John announced the completion of the Diamondhead Code of Ethics Statement.  This statement is available here:  http://diamondheadcommitteereport.blogspot.com/p/ethics-code-for-board-members.html

Members who signed this statement:  John Porter, Diane Jones, Faye Taylor, Suzzi Combs, Joe Claflin, Tom Moore.  Members who did not sign this statement:  Rick Noffsinger, Diane Porterfield.  Member absent: Jack Watson

General Manager Report – Buddy Hudson

Financial Statements came in from Dorsey Accounting firm this week.  It was necessary to make some drastic changes immediately.  Every department was forced to take cuts, including the dismissal of employees and cutting hours of operation.  “We are cutting back in every area we can.”  “Our people are not going to bleed without me bleeding with them.  … I gave up 2 months of pay, February & March…”

Suzzi Combs – “The Fire Department made a good presentation of their need for more money.  Guess what, we do too.”

Golf Carts – Suzzi Combs:

Purchasing & Leasing of carts were discussed.  Rick Noffsinger explained DH golf cart history.  (?)Years ago DH used gas carts à 4 years ago, changed over to electric carts à April, 2011 cheaper batteries were purchased, causing damage to the carts & ‘will continue to deteriorate’.

Question was asked, “How many golf carts do we need?”

“How much do we receive for each rental?”   Some said $25 per cart, $12 per seat, $10 per seat.  On the Diamondhead Golf Website the golf cart is “included”.  It cost 85 cents for gas per cart, per round.

It was decided to Lease rather than purchase.  Gas / EZ Go @ $1124.80 per month.  A straw vote regarding this issue was taken after the Town meeting.  Motion passed with Diane Porterfield voting NO.

Financial Report – Treasurer Tom Moore

The financial statements have been posted on the Member’s Only section of this Blog.  For access to this information, please send your lot # to Diane Porterfield: adianerdh@att.net

Rick Noffsinger stated the pros & cons of raising POA Dues to compensate for financial problems.  Stressing the need for Home Building.

Suzzi Combs stated the need for more revenue due to economic times, which means raising POA dues. 

Diane Porterfield stated that ‘our financial situation is not new.  Past Boards have known about the revenue loss for years.  Why are we still spending the same amount of money year after year, as if nothing has changed?’ We must control expenditures.

Suzzi thanked all those who attended the Town meeting.

Diane Porterfield made a motion to approve a $100,000.00 line of credit.  The motion was passed unanimously.

A motion was made to Lease 30 golf carts from EZ GO.  Motion passed with Diane Porterfield voting NO.

 

Meeting was adjourned.

 

Notes submitted by,

Diane Porterfield

adianerdh@att.net