By Susan Thompson | Lake Panorama Times
Member responses to a survey the Lake Panorama Association (LPA) conducted in March will help the LPA board and staff plan for the future. A total of 565 members responded to the survey during the two weeks it was open in late March.
The Funding Model Survey was designed to gather member input on the value of LPA services and amenities, and the association’s current dues structure.
LPA AMENITIES
One question early in the survey asked participants to choose from a list of amenities the ones they and their families use at Lake Panorama. The five most popular activities were pleasure boating (399), dining at The Captain’s Pick at Lake Panorama National Resort (332), tubing (297), fishing (269) and using LPA beaches (266).
When asked to rate the current quality and condition of LPA facilities and amenities, 86% of respondents chose either excellent or good condition.
In a follow-up question, 50% of respondents said they are satisfied with current LPA facilities and amenities, while 41% of respondents said they would like to see continued improvements and enhancements.
One question asked respondents to check all options they use from a list of ways LPA provides information. At 99%, the weekly LPA Prompt newsletter is the top choice for information, with the monthly Lake Panorama Times a close second at 83%.
Another question asked how much additional information members would like to receive from LPA regarding annual operational and capital budgets, including the impact of inflation on these costs. While 38% said they are receiving enough information, 58% would like to receive either far more or a little more information on budgets and inflation impacts.
A question that gauged LPA’s communication efforts regarding upgrades to essential infrastructure showed 86% are either very satisfied or satisfied.
When asked about the value of services and amenities LPA members receive, 72% said they are very satisfied or satisfied, and 20% said they were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied.
LPA DUES STRUCTURE
The next set of questions dealt with the LPA dues structure. Currently, owners of a waterfront property pay more than owners of an offshore property. Not surprisingly, owners in those two categories had differing opinions.
About 54% of owners of waterfront property said waterfront dues are either far higher or slightly higher than these should be, while 44% said these are fair.
At the same time, 54% of offshore owners said waterfront owners are paying a fair price, while 35% said waterfront owners are paying either slightly lower or far lower than they should.
In a question asking if owners of both waterfront property and offshore property should pay the same amount for LPA dues, 42% of waterfront owners either strongly agreed or agreed, and 37% strongly disagreed or disagreed. Also, 92% of owners of offshore property either strongly disagreed or disagreed.
Under the current LPA dues structure, owners of property with a home pay more than owners of property without a home. There were 434 survey respondents who either own a home or own a home and an undeveloped lot. Of those 434, 54% said the current dues premium is fair, and 43% said dues paid by homeowners is either far higher or slightly higher than it should be.
Of lot owners without homes, 60% said the current dues are fair, and 24% said the price paid by homeowners is either slightly lower or far lower than it should be.
A follow-up question asked if owners of a property with a home and owners of an undeveloped property should pay the same amount for LPA dues. Overall, survey respondents do not think undeveloped properties should pay the same as developed.
Totals showed 75% of undeveloped owners strongly disagree, and 18% disagree that owners of undeveloped lots should pay the same as homeowners. Only 20% of homeowners thought they should pay the same, while 53% of homeowners disagreed, and 16% neither agreed nor disagreed.
The next question asked if owners of an offshore B property and owners of an offshore C property should pay the same amount. Again, the difference in opinions depended on which category the survey respondent is in.
A total of 54% of homeowners agreed owners of both B and C lots should pay the same amount for LPA dues, while 27% disagreed and 20% didn’t care. Owners of undeveloped lots did not feel the same, with 60% in the disagree category and only 18% in the agree category.
When asked about level of support for updating and revising the LPA dues structure to ensure it reflects the current opinions and viewpoints of the LPA membership, 54% of respondents are supportive, while a fair amount remained neutral at 32%.
When asked about level of satisfaction with the current dues structure, 43% said they were satisfied, 38% said they were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, and 16% were dissatisfied.
POTENTIAL DUES INCREASES
The next section dealt with potential dues increases. The first question offered four concepts the LPA board might use if a dues increase is proposed and asked respondents to choose one.
The most popular option, at 46%, was to implement a “catch up” increase over multiple years, then maintain the current 5% cap on increases moving forward. The next most popular option, at 28%, was to come up with other ideas not reflected in the four concepts presented.
“Although the survey attempted to assure members additional information would be provided, roughly one out four respondents were unwilling to commit to one of the provided choices until they have a better understanding of why an increase is needed and how much that increase will be,” says Lane Rumelhart, LPA project manager, says. “Some members asked for options of what to cut rather than implement a catch-up strategy. The membership’s desire for additional education on this point is a notable takeaway from the survey.”
In response to a question about what percentage of LPA’s annual budget the association should maintain as a fund reserve, 51% said LPA should maintain 10-15% in reserves, 20% said 16-20%, and 20% said LPA should maintain less than 10% in reserves.
A final question asked respondents to rate the leadership of the LPA board and management, with 72% choosing good or excellent, 18% chose fair, and the remaining 10% said poor or unsure.
NEXT STEPS
John Rutledge, LPA general manager, says the LPA board and staff appreciates the membership’s feedback on the survey, including those who took the time to offer additional comments as part of the process.
“This feedback is being used to develop potential proposals by which LPA could restructure the dues and generate additional funding for long-term infrastructure improvements,” he says. “The LPA membership can expect additional information regarding not only potential dues restructuring scenarios, but also LPA’s infrastructure and operations expenses.”
Rutledge says the LPA remains in good financial health, yet is a remarkably complex business model for a relatively small community.
“Our philosophy is to continue to look ahead to ensure Lake Panorama remains positioned for continued success,” he says. “Discussions about dues and expenses are always sensitive topics for boards and management teams to undertake with their constituents and members, but we will continue to be fully transparent through this process. And remember, any changes to the dues structure will not be a management or board decision. Those decisions are reserved for the LPA membership.”