(05/09/24) Area 4 Meeting Report
Good day friends and neighbors!
Here is my report from last night’s USD community meeting.
Corrections are always welcome.
I do my best to take accurate notes, but may miss things.
I’ll add my personal thoughts/opinions in the comments.
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39 in attendance (not including yours truly)
& 7 board members present
Note- it was mentioned IHCC was down to 9 board members (from 10).
Based on who attended, and the two mentioned who couldn’t make it, it appears Brandon Musick is no longer a board member. I have requested confirmation from IHCC.
1. The PowerPoint last night was slightly different from the previous meetings. The new version is now posted on the IHCC website.
If you would like to compare the two versions. I can provide the old one.
2. It was mentioned the City is planning on doing a prescribed burn (I believe for the felled trees on the dams) and seeding.
3. A budget has been added to the PPT (for more detail check slide #46)
**Administrative and Operational – 21%
**Maintenance & Utilities – 14%
**Lakes/Dams/Creeks/Trails – 25%
**Park Site & Other Improvements – 40%
4. A member of the board stated 27% of homes in IH are rentals.
5. Clarification on the fee charged by Central Arkansas Water (CAW)
**CAW will collect 0.76 cents out of every $8.50 as their “fee”
**This means the actual funds coming to IHCC per household is: $7.74 per month
6. What happens after the 10 years for the USD have passed?
**The properties should be in better shape at this point but maintenance funds will still be needed.
**The IHCC will propose an extension of the USD using the same mechanism (25% of the electors) to the City. The hope is, after 10 years, the monthly fee would be lower.
(Page 4 of the USD petition)
7. How long will it take for funds to start coming into the IHCC to begin work?
**It was mentioned the City does a yearly budget line for the Heritage Park USD, which would also happen for IH.
Not sure if this means it will take a year to start getting funds.
**IHCC still has funds leftover from the lake property owners, so some repairs can begin right away.
8. The plan is a “pay as we go” for the funds. Meaning repairs, etc. will occur as the funds come in.
**Priority will be the dams/lakes.
**Not all 25% of the proposed budget would be needed/used immediately because dredging the lakes can wait. Focus will be on the dams.
9. “If it will take the full 10 years for everything to be done, what about inflation?”
**Small contingencies included in the budget to account for inflation.
10. “What is to stop vandalism?”
**The budget includes a plan for secured gate, security cameras, and better lighting.
**Bathrooms at the new pavilion would be locked at night (requires volunteers)
**Automated gate – not a “card” or “fob” entry but likely – Automatically open for day and close for night.
11. One resident said they felt the USD was the neighborhood was being forced to pay for the IHCC’s lack of over-site and maintenance of the properties. This resulted in a spirited response from another resident who defended the IHCC. (paraphrasing)
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There were a lot more questions/answers but I didn’t catch it all so if anyone was there, feel free to chime in! :)***
