During the Nov. 11 meeting, Voting Members reviewed changes to the governing documents and discussed the proposed 2026 budget, which would result in a $56 increase to annual assessments.
WCA President Michiel Oostenbrink kicked off the meeting with a recap of a special board meeting held at the end of October. He reiterated the board’s plan to poll residents about whether they want to keep lifeguards at the community’s pools. He added that the recently created Technology Advisory Committee (TAC) thoroughly reviewed the association’s phone and internet systems and recommended several changes that would improve service and decrease costs.
Glenfield Alternate VM Aaron Garman asked about the timeline of the poll, and Woodbridge VM Rick Goldstein said that it was important to understand the demographics of respondents. Christine Hennes, VM for The Enclave, asked whether homeowners of rental properties or their tenants would be polled. Oostenbrink responded that the board would discuss those matters at their board meeting later that week.
Document Review Committee Chair Eric Holt took the floor to review the changes to the governing documents that the VMs had discussed during their October meeting. Goldstein sought clarification on a change to Article XII, Section 29(b) of the CCRs that would prohibit new homeowners from renting out their properties for the first 12 months of ownership. He asked if that would apply to homeowners who passed away and left their homes to their adult children. Holt said that it would, but the change would only apply to those who acquired a title to a home after February 1, 2026. Hennes clarified that if those adult children are already on the title, the change would not impact them. Barry Anderson, VM for The Shires, added that the caveat “except with prior written consent of the Board” allowed some room for exceptions to the rule.
After Holt had reviewed all the changes, Anderson said he recalled that the VMs had voted to prohibit fireworks on designated holidays, but Holt had not mentioned that. Hennes and Glencliff VM Shirley Boyd concurred. Holt reminded the VMs that such a rule is not enforceable due to state statutes; he then polled the 22 VMs present to ask whether they wanted to keep that language in the governing documents. Sixteen VMs voted in favor of keeping the existing language. Holt reminded the VMs that the proposed changes will go out to residents via mail for approval.
The board held a budget workshop for the VMs on Saturday, Nov. 8, in preparation for the November meeting. Holt reported that, based on the current budget, the annual assessment would increase by $56 to $477 per year per household. He mentioned that some who attended the workshop expressed concerns about implementing such a large increase.
“This is not just an inflation thing,” explained Holt. “There are things driving this. A good portion is brand new infrastructure projects… We’re trying to catch up on a lot of stuff that we’re well past on our deferred maintenance schedule.”
He added that the board included 38 projects in the current budget and stressed that the board was projecting based on potential outcomes to various scenarios. As an example, he reminded VMs that the board doesn’t know whether the WCA will continue to have lifeguards. If residents decide they don’t want lifeguards, there’s potential for approximately $100,000 in savings, he added. Holt also assured VMs that any money remaining at the end of the year will be reinvested, so homeowners aren’t losing any money.
Goldstein asked Holt to explain the justification for hiring a facilities maintenance technician at $65,000 per year. Holt reminded Goldstein that the previous board, of which Goldstein was a member, voted to create the position, and said there was a list of issues that the position would address. Wycliff VM and WCA Board Member Theresa Lanzar said she would send Goldstein the written job description that detailed the tasks for which the employee would be responsible. Stamford VM Jamie Kolev asked how the board had settled on a salary of $65,000 and Holt replied that the number came from Inframark, which would employ the maintenance technician.
Holt also acknowledged that he was taking a conservative approach regarding interest on investments, but said he was open to adding another $10,000 in interest to the association’s income, which would take $3 off of the assessment.
Pam Senk, VM for The Vineyards, questioned whether the capital contribution being charged to Westchase Station should be incorporated into the budget. Oostenbrink told her that the association might be able to collect half of the amount upfront, but that it was also possible that it couldn’t collect any of the money until after the units had been sold. He added that, although the WCA will eventually get that money, they don’t know when it will come in. Holt cautioned against overbudgeting.
Garman said that 38 capital projects is a high number and suggested reducing it to the top 10. If the association does those well, it will be easier to request money next year,” he added. “Transparency is going to go a long way,” Garman continued. “I’m trying to set the board and the VMs up for success.”
Hennes echoed Garman’s recommendation and suggested that the board share the list of projects with the community, so residents know what the WCA is doing and why. Anderson, who is an accountant, said he thought the board should estimate what the budget surplus will be at the end of the fiscal year and either refund the money or use it to defray the 2026 assessment. He also advised the board to borrow against the $75,000 in capital contributions that Westchase Station will bring in over the next three years. Holt said he refused to touch reserve funds and that he disagreed with Anderson’s suggestions.
“I’ve lived in Westchase since 2006 and the assessment has not really increased a lot,” Hennes interjected. “Part of the issue we’re dealing with is that the can has been kicked down the road so many times. Our neighborhoods are 20-plus years old and things need to get done. If it’s not this year, it’s going to be another year. At some point, we need to step up.”
Stonebridge VM Christine Lindsay said that an increase of almost 14 percent is too high. Holt responded that the board is willing to compromise, but the VMs need to understand that certain things won’t be accomplished.
Senk asked why the proposed assessment had increased from $474 to $477 since Saturday’s budget workshop and Holt explained that every $10,000 increase in expenses adds $3 to the assessment. A few projects valued at about $10,000 came up after the workshop. Senk said she agreed that upgrades were needed but argued that reducing the percentage increase to less than 10 percent would make it more palatable to residents.
Holt then polled the VMs to determine who was comfortable with a $477 assessment for 2026, and sixteen VMs voted in favor. Goldstein objected to the fact that the board had altered the budget after they presented it to VMs on Saturday.
“The budget is subject to change,” Holt told Goldstein. “If we realize that we forgot something, the responsible thing is to budget for it. Presumably it won’t change before Thursday.”
Editor’s Note: Following these discussions, the proposed 2026 budget and resulting annual assessments went before the WCA board for a vote. That meeting fell after WOW’s deadline. Coverage can be found westchasewow.com/hoa-news.