Jackie Ryan
News Staff
The OVA Board of Directors unanimously approved a $7.8 million fiscal year 2027 budget, with dues increasing 3.7% over last year from $134 to $139 per member.
Related: Video: 10-20-2026 Board Meeting
OVA Treasurer Tom Kendrick said projected expenses are about $6.1 million across several categories.
He said several 2026 operations categories are under budget, and the resulting surplus will be placed in reserves. The budget calls for an $800,000 transfer to the Asset Replacement Fund (ARF) including another $100,000 from earned interest on ARF balances. Because work on the Berger Center has been deferred to 2027, 2026 ARF expenditures, which are typically $1.1 million annually, are lower than anticipated. $900,000 will be transferred to the Capital Improvement Fund.
Related: Presentation: OVA 2027 Budget Review
There will be modest increases in some categories for 2027, several due to OVA assuming responsibility for Golf Course expenses (property insurance and taxes, and some grounds and waterway maintenance). Golf Social Membership will be reduced from $8.50 to $7.00 per member per month, with expectation that the contribution may continue to decline as responsibilities for assets are shifted.
As a result of recent board discussions, Kendrick said there is no expectation there will be any need for securing loans in the coming year. “There’s really no serious contemplation of that (a loan) for next year. I think that the money we need to do the projects here in the central area are adequately funded from the money that we have put away for that purpose,” he said.
Berger Center Project
The board voted unanimously to engage Pound Management, based in Napa, as an Owners Representative/Project Manager to guide the association through the Berger renovation process, including refining remaining details on the scope of the project. Four firms responded to the request for proposals, and the cost is projected to be between $100,000 and $200,000.
Director Jeff Neuman said the decision “puts (the owner’s rep) between us and a general contractor, so that when we do finalize scope and we’ve gathered all of our bids, and we’re ready to actually start doing work, we have somebody looking out for our interests.”
OVA President Steve Spanier said a representative will help the board with many aspects of the Berger renovation, including helping the board determine the final scope of the project.
Among the duties for the firm, he listed monitoring and reporting progress, securing permits and approvals and working with OVA staff to ensure building closure plans are workable. They will also help with the selection of an architect and general contractor.
“All of the four candidates that we talked to have extensive experience with and knowledge of all of the architects and general contractors in this area. So, we do believe that their help will be invaluable, and that they will actually save us money,” Spanier said.
In addition to Berger renovations, General Manager Christel Antone said the options for needed renovations/replacement of the central pool deck and cabana area will be presented to the board in the next month. Preliminary evaluations involve different materials and could range in cost from $300,000 to $400,000.
Bylaws Court Relief
Based on a legal counsel recommendation, the board voted 4 to 1, with Director Rob Williams opposing, to pursue judicial relief of last May’s election results on two proposed bylaws amendments that failed to meet approval thresholds required by the OVA’s governing documents. The board will petition the Sonoma County Superior Court, citing high approval thresholds that make “changes difficult event when there is substantial membership support.” Directors approved up to $20,000 expenditure, including attorney fees.
GoGo Grandparents
General Manager Christel Antone said OVA continues to work with the City of Santa Rosa on replacements for Bus 16, including collaborations with Oakmont Gardens and Spring Lake Village for sharing opportunities. Yuri Kolsen, a city transportation planner, addressed the board and said the city has issued surveys to understand the use of Bus 16, which has experienced a decrease in ridership, as well as explore ways to ensure access to transportation for those who need it.