On this page you will find various communications I have sent out to Homeowners, and questions that I have answered at the various Candidate Forums.
Presentation at the Res I Candidate Meet & Greet 2024-02-02
Good afternoon. I’m Gavin Schutz and I am a former Res I Board member running for election. I have experience in all aspects of Board operations, and there are three major things that I would like to touch on today.
The first is experience and perspective. Since retiring here about seven years ago, I have attended pretty much every Res I Board meeting, Master Association Board meeting and many City of La Quinta council meetings. I have participated as a member of the Master Association Board, the Compliance Committee, the Gates and Patrol Committee and previously served as the Res I Vice President and on the Financial Review committee.
This has allowed me to develop knowledge and experience in all facets of community association management, allowing for a comprehensive, fair, and well-balanced perspective of both community and City issues.
I believe the needs of our Community are continually evolving and require that we deal with complex long-term issues such as landscaping, Reserve Fund management, and aging infrastructure such as roofs, roads and irrigation. These issues need a sophisticated, pragmatic and project management-based approach that will enable us to optimize utilization of available resources. I have these skills.
Secondly, I believe in ethical, transparent, and fair representation for all Res I Homeowners. I am not here today as a representative of a vested interest, or as someone with a preconceived agenda: I am instead focused on all of us – as a community that needs to analyze and address big issues that will directly impact our future.
Lastly, I believe the Board should be an active, engaged, and hands-on team that supports our fantastic Management and our homeowners.
We have been asked to address “factors that you as a Board member would consider when determining whether the assessments should be increased, or not?”
I believe we are living in times that are way different from when the community was first built, requiring an evolving perspective regarding these new circumstances. In the last two decades, the basic wage here has quadrupled, the cost of gas and water have tripled – and become vastly unpredictable, and we live under permanent threat of drought conditions. It is therefore important that we act responsibly when considering adopting measures that will increase short term operating costs or decrease the lifetime of our assets, as these are often factors that lead to excessive dues increases.
Here are the main factors I would consider before raising the dues:
What is the value proposition for the assessment increase?
- How does it benefit to the community at large?
- Will it enhance the quality of life for a significant number of homeowners?
- Are the implications of such an action predictable?
- Is the assessment increase defendable? Is it backed up with empirical evidence?
What are the alternatives?
- What are the implications of not doing it?
- Where does the reason for the increase fit in the overall list of community priorities?
Is it the responsible thing to do?
- What impact does it have on the Association reserves?
- What impact does it have on community resources?
As you may have guessed, I am not a fan of the “spend money like a drunken sailor and tell homeowners they should move if they can’t afford it” philosophy. Rather I am in favor of a more balanced approach that will benefit the entire community – a majority of homeowners – while recognizing the current economic and situational realities.
I am also not a fan of turning our lovely community back into a desert. I believe that where possible we must strive to maintain our “oasis” like look and feel, as this is an important part of why we live here.
Recently, we have experienced significant increases in homeowner dues, and I am concerned that we are responsibly prioritizing long-term maintenance costs, maintaining and where possible refreshing our current “look and feel”, and providing the best amenities possible – consistent with responsible financial management.
In Summary.
I believe being an effective and engaged Board member requires year-round focus and availability, and sometimes an ability to respond to critical issues (such as after storms) in person and with timely knowledge of current circumstances. As a full-time resident, I can accommodate this requirement.
If you support a fiscally responsible, community focused, engaged and active candidate, please elect me. If you have more questions, I’d love to talk further with you. Call me, drop me an email or visit my website schutzlq.com for more information or additional background.
Thank you, and please remember to vote.
