05-04-2014, 07:03 AM
Oink, there may be merit in a developed/undeveloped fee structure, just like the way property taxes are assessed. Some issues would, of course, arise (for example, does a tent count as a structure? an unoccupied house? Does a big house pay more than a shack?). That proposal (as well as the registered cars approach) would require some sore of verification process to discourage cheating, which would also entail extra costs. These issues could all be worked out, but like many things, the devil is in the details. One political issue, however, is that the association needs to increase the amounts of revenues collected as well as increase the percent of folks who pay their assessments (even if everyone pays the $85 assessment, that wouldn't be enough to cover the costs of road maintenance and completion of the pavement plan). So finding the sweet spot that a) keeps local homeowners happy, b) encourages deadbeats to pay and c) generates enough revenue to meet road costs will be an almost impossible feat. In my opinion, the per lot assessment is the fairest, easiest way to go.