m MAYFIELD RANCH
MAYFIELD RANCH
MAYFIELD RANCH HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
December 2011
Volume 2, Issue 12
ARE YOU WILLING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
What is a H.O.A. or Homeowners Association? During the nineteenth century the first corporations were created. It is a vehicle created by a real estate developer to market, sell and manage the homes and lots in a residential subdivision. This corporation also allows the developer to provide voting privileges to himself and the owners and yet to exit his legal and financial responsibilities in an orderly manner. It allows a civil municipality to increase it tax revenues without requiring it to increase its services equally to all its citizens. Thus, the HOA becomes a quasi governmental body advocating for its members who have joined the association without having a choice. We are governed by state statues and use the Southwest Management Services to handle our day-to-day operations. The history of HOAs is readily available on the Internet where the history and growth are recounted. Three factors facilitated the growth: the first is the Federal Housing Authority and the Urban Land Institute, which authorized federal home mortgage insurance exclusively for condominiums and homes in subdivisions in 1963. The actions in 1964 of the Urban Land Institute led to an explosion in CIDs or Common Interest Developments, which allowed developers to get around the density laws and sped the exodus from the cities to the suburbs. The second factor was the federal highways programs which eased access as land availability was decreasing. The third and final factor is the U.S. Clean Water Act of 1977 that restricted water runoff which encouraged grouping to share cost and responsibility. Copyright © 2011 Peel, Inc.
The authority of the HOA is created with the subdivision of the land and the filing of the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CCRs) which is done prior to home sales. The Board of Directors acts as the fiduciary after the developer exits and continues the management. They exercise the HOA’s authority to levy assessments, develop an operating budget, a reserve budget and when needed set special assessments. This should be done with the participation and active involvement of the members of the community. We, the members of the Board, want to encourage you to gain an understanding of your HOA along with us soliciting your active involvement. The Board wants to create a communication’s network (CN) so every member of the community would have the opportunity to be informed. The Board is comprised of volunteers and we need volunteers for each street to talk with your neighbors. We are hoping to have two volunteers per street who will be pulse points for your street. This would allow for two-way communications and to create enthusiasm for our neighborhood without unduly burdening a single individual. Great neighborhoods are composed of involved individuals. The activities and programs that take place in a community evolve from the residents. We can take Mayfield Ranch to yet another level with this CN. The City of Round Rock has just approved plans for over $48 million and they would like for us to know what those plans are. We want to get that information out to you. The greenbelts are periodic areas of
concern, especially with the lack of rain that we are experiencing this year. Discussions are underway with the Fire Department as we move into the fall. Stay tuned for more information as plans are formulated for the clean up of the common spaces which include the greenbelts. We want to have a safe, well functioning community but it requires engagement from all the members. Regular programming for our children is dependent on volunteers to help plan and execute the activities. Your Board is willing to work hard to make our community pleasant, safe, and enjoyable and a great place to come home to each day but we need your involvement. Your home values improve when you live in a community where people enjoy being there and talk about it. We invite you to make Mayfield Ranch the place to live in Round Rock. If you are willing to give up perhaps one hour a month please call Denise at the Southwest Management office and leave your contact information along with your area of interest. Thank you for considering our invitation. Remember great communities are made by the people who live in them. Paula M. Dawning, Vice President
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
The Mayfield Ranch Homeowner's Association Newsletter - December 2011
1