Introduction

POA Relationships

Be Inolved!

Transforming your Ideas into Action!

Questions and Answers on the Campaign Trail

"When some board members get elected based on running for fiscal responsibility, why do these boards spend even more money?"

This is good question, and touches on many areas. Here are three of them.

Majority Rules: Our board operates on a majority vote, requiring at least 3 out of 5 members to approve a motion. It's crucial to understand how each board member votes, as no individual director can make decisions alone.

Fiscal Responsibility: Being fiscally responsible often means investing in the long-term sustainability of our community’s common areas. Our amenities enhance property values and provide enjoyable experiences for members. Over the past 50+ years, the number of amenities in Canyon Lake has grown significantly, which has increased the need for maintenance and reserves. This can be particularly impactful for long-term members who moved in when fewer amenities were available.

Efficiency Improvements: Just like in any organization, there’s always room for improvement. Attend board meetings to voice your concerns and contribute to the conversation. For instance, at the February 18th, 2025 budget workshop, many equestrian center members expressed concerns about a proposed 20% fee increase, which led to the board reducing it to a 10% increase instead. At the same workshop, many members represented concerns over our resturant operations. It is notable that two established "public" resturants have closed in Canyon Lake in the last six months. I expect to see future data collection and discussions on this and other areas. I’ve found that organizing as a group and presenting a factual point of view is the most effective way to influence change.

"What are some of the core principles that guide you?"

On challenging days: Every day is a gift!

One of my favorite quotes comes from John Lennon, and is very popular in Italy (I lived in Turin-Torino for 4 1/2 years while working for a Fortune 500): There are no problems, only solutions. "Non ci sono problemi, solo soluzioni."

If I'm asked a question and lack the background to provide a well-informed answer, I'll say, "I don't have enough information to form an opinion at the moment. Let me do some research, and I'll get back to you with a more informed response!"

"What does the Finance Committee do?"

From the POA website: The Finance Committee advises and assists the Canyon Lake POA's Board of Directors with financial planning. In doing so, this committee reviews and makes recommendations on the preliminary annual budget, budget procedures, financial control, and accountability; makes recommendations for investments for funds set aside for special projects; and reviews status of the Canyon Lake POA's reserves funds.

What this all means is we are a volunteer group of people who are Canyon Lake members with some sort of financial and/or business background, and we work for the POA board. We make budget and other various financial recommendations to the board, though the board ultimately has the final decision in such discussions.

You can also find the Finance Committee charter on the at: POA Website-Finance Committee

"What have I done on the Finance Committee since I've been a member?"

In 2024, I led changes that resulted in a Finance Committee (FC) budget recommendation for the 2025/26 fiscal year, using national, state, and regional indexes, including the Social Security cost-of-living increase. We also reviewed the last 3 years of POA spending, providing early guidance before the POA staff started working on their 2024/25 proposed budget. Previously, the POA staff would submit a proposed budget to the FC, and we’d review each line item to find savings. This process was slow and lacked early guidance from the FC, without considering the broader financial picture. This year, the FC recommended a 3.9% increase for the 2024/25 budget. The POA staff initially proposed about 10%, which was far beyond the FC’s guidance. After discussions with the board and FC, the POA staff revised the budget to 5%, which was approved. In past years, the FC’s influence was less than 1%. Though it's not perfect, this marks another step in aligning the POA budgeting process with business best practices. There's always room for improvement, and if elected, I look forward to collaborating with the FC to continue evolving the process. It’s important to note that the FC only makes recommendations; the board makes all final decisions.