Notes Regarding Membership Fee
- Questions regarding the membership fee:
- What is the purpose of the annual fee?
- Fees collected go toward the maintenance and continued operation of the properties and facilities.
- What happens if I do not pay the fee?
- No formal action will be taken if you do not pay the fee, however, it will accrue to your lot(s) and you will no longer be considered a member in good standing. You will still have access to the properties and amenities but you must pay per-use fees of the amenities that you wish to use.
- What will the money be used for?
- Funds collected from the membership fee will by used to operate, maintain, improve and enhance the amenities and properties for all members.
- Why did the Board of Directors choose to implement a membership fee?
- In the past, Jackson County collected an MSTU assessment on each lot in Compass Lake in the Hills. The Board of County Commissioners contracted with the corporation to manage and expend those funds per an annual budget approved by the County. Due to litigation alleging that the county contract was an inappropriate use of public funds, the contract was changed and eventually canceled. At this time, the income from the properties and amenities is not adequate to maintain them at the level expected of our members and guests. In order to supplement this income, a membership fee was proposed, researched for legal aspects, and subsequently approved.
- What gives the Board of Directors the authority to impose a membership fee?
- The Board is authorized to set and collect fees per the Articles of Incorporation, the By-laws, the Declaration of easement, and the Florida Statutes governing not-for-profit organizations.
- I have heard that the County is not doing an assessment again this year?
- That is correct. Your 2020 tax bill will show that there are no additional assessments for your property in Compass Lake in the Hills.
- What happens if there is no assessment?
- The County budget for this fiscal year for Compass Lake in the Hills shows funds remaining and carried over from last year as well as a reserve fund. The road budget is at $0 since the county is taking over all road work. The Fire department budget has been slightly reduced compared to last year’s. You can view the budget on the County’s website at this link:
- How much was the assessment in past years?
- If you look at the bottom of your tax bill, you will see the taxes and other fees assessed for past years. Your taxes are listed in the column titled “Original Gross Tax”. The assessments are listed in the column titled “Original Assessments”.
- The assessments by year were:
- 2015 and years prior = $135 per lot
- 2016 and 2017 = $95 per lot
- No more contracted Deputy
- Road and Fire dept funding only
- 2018 = $50 per lot
- CLHPOA contract canceled, County took over service administration (MSTU)
- Road and Fire dept funding only
- Fire dept required to organize as a separate corporation (Station 45) in order to continue to be funded by the County
- 2019 = $0
- County missed submission deadline for “Public Notice”
- Road maintenance put under temporary contract (MSTU funds)
- Fire dept funded with existing MSTU funds
- 2020 = $0
- County voted to discontinue MSTU assessments
- County assumed full responsibility for road maintenance
- Fire dept funded with existing MSTU funds
- Remaining MSTU funds placed in reserve (County budget)
- Future?
- The County currently has no plans to reinstate the MSTU tax