Lake Carroll News A publication of the Lake Carroll Association and its Members The Lake Carroll News is online! www.golakecarroll.com News & Events>Newspaper February 2017
Publication Date: February 1, 2017
www.golakecarroll.com
What’s Inside
Vol. 45 No. 2
Dollars & Sense
Snowy Owl sighting near Lake Carroll Page 16A
“When will the tree sink?” Contest Page 6B
Board Meeting Schedule
On December 4, 2016, we held our annual Membership meeting. The main focus of that meeting was to install our newly elected members of the Board of Directors, to vote on the 2016 budget, vote on proposed By-laws changes, and vote on funding a proposal to replace the Lodge. Following the annual meeting, the Board held a meeting to elect new officers. At that meeting, I was elected to be the Treasurer for 2017 during this final year of my current term as a Board Member. As many of you know by now, the budget with a $76 increase was passed, by a margin of about 2-1. The proposal to fund the Lodge replacement with the $136 that was previously used to pay off the pool loan failed, by a margin of about 3-1. The last time I was Treasurer was in 2015. At that time, I noted that the Association faced some difficult challenges. We were coming off multiple years of the Association’s operating budget running at a loss. Jeff Howe Board Treasurer The losses continued that year, too. While we don’t have final numbers yet, it appears last year we were able to turn the corner and get the Association back on budget. With the passing of the budget in December, we should be in a good position to address the needs of the Association and continue to remain on budget. I am much more optimistic going into this year as Treasurer than I was two years ago. Another difference from 2015 is at that time we did not allow credit cards to pay dues. That policy was put in place because of the rising costs in the fees charged to the Association for accepting credit cards. Over the past two years, the Finance Committee and the Board continued to examine the issue to see if there was a way to allow credit cards to be used without impacting the Association’s finances. After more research and effort, the Association was able to successfully work out a way to accept credit cards that didn’t impact the budget. But it did come at a cost of charging a 3.25% surcharge for using a credit card for paying dues and fees. Hopefully the Members will see this as a good compromise to allow Members the convenience of using a credit card if they want to without affecting the Members that do not. As always, if you have questions, comments, concerns, or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Lake Carroll Ice Caution
Feb 24, Mar 24, Apr 28, May 19, Jun 23, Jul 28, Aug 25, Sep 22, Oct 20, Nov 17, Annual Meeting Dec 3, Tentative Dec 15 (if needed)
Admin Office Hours:
Monday through Friday 8:00am-4:30pm For a directory, see page 3A.
Online Committee Information Available to Registered Members Members can log on to
www.golakecarroll.com to access LCA’s committee information.
Agendas Minutes Board Recommendations Committee Member Contact Information Committee Routine Schedules If you would like to register on our website, send an email to webmaster@golakecarroll.com. Include your name, section, and lot.
MANDATORY LOT MOWINGS #1 Apr 28-May 7 ~ Report by 12pm May 8th #2 Jul 28-Aug 6 ~ Report by 12pm Aug 7th Report to 815-493-2552 ext 27. Provide your Name, Sec & Lot, and date mowed. If you don’t report it, you will be billed for LCA arranging the mowing. Whoever mows (you or a contractor) calls in the report.
Following a light dusting of snow on January 25th, the ice on Lake Carroll may be a bit decieving. Lake Carroll’s policy regarding the Lake is that it is always open and that it’s use at your own risk. Though I am not an ice fisherman, I enjoy seeing the winter fishing enthusiasts enjoying the lake. This year however, we have seen some unseasonably warm temperatures in January accompanied with rain. While the ice is as thick as 7-8” in some areas, there are also areas where open water is visible. The thickness of the ice varies greatly in different areas. Please use caution and discretion when using the lake. Mike Schmieder, General Manager Archive photo, DBeyer
Annual Marina Slip & Campground Site Lotteries 2017 MARINA LOTTERY
(New Boat Slip Users/Non-Deeded) Saturday, March 4, 2017 will be the 1st day new marina users may apply for a boat slip. The Conference Center will be open at 7:30am. The lottery will begin at 8am. Members in good standing must apply in person. Visa/Master authorizations must accompany the request when submitted. PLEASE REFER TO THE RULES & REGULATIONS, MARINA SLIP ASSIGNMENT FOR DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE PROCEDURES.
2017 CAMPGROUND SITE LOTTERY
A lottery will be conducted on the 1st Saturday in March at 10am at the Conference Center. Members in good standing wishing to be added to the Campground Waiting List for a seasonal site must be present at the lottery. This year’s lottery will be held March 4, 2017. Conference Center doors will open at 9:30am and the lottery will be conducted at 10am. PLEASE REFER TO THE RULES & REGULATIONS, Campground Section I Seasonal Site Lottery & Assignments.