Annual Meeting May 4, 2021
Something to note here is the amount of money in the accounts. The expenses and the balance. I say this because this is from May of 2021.
Treasurer’s Report: Report given by Crystal Farrokhi.
2019 Ending balance: $5,897.48
Total Deposits for 2020: $12,035.86
Total Expenses for 2020: $6,903.15
Current Balance $11,030.19
2021 Tax request for 30 landowners at $400. Projected income $12,000.
Looking at these numbers, it appears we are being overtaxed. Money is sitting. However, they find a way to spend it all… so that they can raise our tax. That’s what these politicians do.
Meeting discussions- Survey Discussions: Overall, people agreed and disagreed. Overall, people said the road started worse and ended better. Everybody said it has improved.
They sent out a survey, several of us ignored it because we knew these people. Known them for years. I have no doubt that the new people or people who were still trying to go with the flow, filled those surveys out. Of course, a key moment here is the Everybody said it has improved. It’s not supposed to improve. Maintenance is not improvement. But wait… there’s more!
There were concerns regarding the snow conditions. The discussion shifted to liability of the road district and the members. Other districts have insurance and volunteers are required to take training for insurance purposes. Dale has talked to contractors for snow removal and no one is interested in doing our road so for now, this will have to remain voluntary. The trustees will discuss the possibility of salting/sanding better. Additional discussions will occur between the trustees.
I find it humorous that the Board is suggesting the volunteers take training, but they cannot even be bothered to read the laws and abide by them.
And do you remember in 2016, the meeting notes actually said who was spoken to. Not generic terms like ‘contractors.’ And again, they are willing to pay strangers but no mention of paying people who live here.
Additional discussions will occur between the trustees.Yup, another closed door meeting with no notice to any of us.
Dale had discussions with other road districts and professionals regarding our road conditions and they all say the physical road condition is good. He has worked with them to come up with a plan for the next year to improve crowning (water run-off), ditches and converts. A full plan has been emailed to everyone on the road. The Road District Trustees will fine-tune it, get more quotes and decide the best course of action.
Which road districts? I had asked Crystal about this at one point. Who did he talk to? And she couldn’t (wouldn’t?) say. It matters for a couple reasons. One is that road districts all over are being run by people with the same (read none) knowledge as this board. Another reason is that there are a few road districts in this area that are short and flat. Not the same needs as ours. Of course, at this point, Dale is still not a real resident, according to his own statements, and said he wouldn’t be for another year. I include him in the ignorant category.
And again, the trustees will meet privately and do whatever they want.
Crystal mentioned there are 3 properties that may get annexed in this year so an additional $1,200 may be added to future income.
Interesting that the tax is never decreased… This is a statement of annexing properties. No mention which ones they are or if they are being annexed against their will. Remember that 25% of each, current and ‘to be added’ landowners, have to sign petitions legally. However, this is not something that is really studied when it gets to the courthouse. So, lots of stuff just happens with no oversight.
Dale mentioned he did some research on guardrails. More research and discussion will occur over the next year. Feedback is requested on what the members think about it.
This would be a use for special assessments, not a levy. This is an improvement. And only the people who are actually benefiting or have property fronting/abutting that area of road should pay for that. This has not come up again since mentioned here. Apparently the trustees had a secret meeting and nixxed the idea.
One of the residents requested there be a change to the bylaws to require a 1-year residency to run for a trustee position. Dale did some research and there is no law that requires that. Most members that were in attendance (that spoke up) agreed that if you paid the taxes that you should be able to run. There was also concern that this may be against the law for us to supersede the SD state law on this matter. Further discussion will be had by the trustees.
LOL… this was me. And as you can see by my email suggestion, it was not a suggestion to change a bylaw. It was far simpler than that. When I get that email posted, I’ll try to remember to link it here. This is just Dale being Dale. Spinning words and ideas… basically lying.
Further discussion will be had by the trustees.– Another secret meeting.
Page 2-
Dale said he was questioned about the plan for evacuation if there was a fire on Saddleback. There is only one exit at this time. However, Dale has discussed with this with the people putting together a Road District for Turkey Ridge, and the county, about “Potential Access Routes”. He has found platting that says “Fire Access Routes” and there is the possibility of using “Utility Easements”. More discussions and research will continue throughout the year.
What!? Did he seriously say this with a straight face? Again, who? When? Some details? ANY details? ANY verifiable facts? And no action or discussion since. To me, this is just more “Hey Mom, look at me!!!!”
Tod Stewart brought up a concern about motorcycle travel on Saddleback in regards to excess gravel. Dale mentioned this could be a liability issue. It was also mentioned that there are issues with the material currently on the road and it may require replacing the current material. The trustees will take a look at this and discuss further.
Something we had been mentioning for years. You do not need to replace the current material. You just need to put in a little time so that there is not a bed of 8 inches of loose gravel.
Election of Trustee: Each board position is for 3 years and one position rotates out every year. The board can determine responsibilities each year. This year Steve Charnes’s position was open.
Steve Charnes and Kim Stewart both volunteered for the open position. Information about both candidates was distributed by email prior to the meeting and after counting the votes of those present along with the absentee votes, it was an 13/5 decision in Steve Charnes’s favor.
If I could change my vote, I would. In the future, I would never vote back in someone who was part of the problem. For more understanding of that, check out the post where Steve said he would never vote for raising the tax without input from the members, and then he did exactly that. It’s all in the emails.
Knowing what I know now, I would have prodded for a 5 person board in 2020. Maybe even earlier.
34 landowners and 3 people on a board. Now, given how these people in power are skilled at grooming the next gen, I’m not sure we would accomplish much. We might just have 5 people ignoring the laws, instead of 3, but it does better the odds.