Buying vs Renting… Cont. to pg. 7

Lake Thunderhead Is Home To The Majestic MDC offers free virtual class about native plants for winter beauty

Natives can provide winter food and shelter for wildlife

Kansas City, Mo. –Native wildflowers and grasses can add beauty to winter gardens and benefit wildlife such as songbirds. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will offer a free virtual Native Plants Winter Beauty class from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28.

Natives can add subtle colors and bold textures during winter to landscape gardens and lawns.

Cydney Ross, MDC native landscape specialist, will discuss what plants work well over winter. Ross will also talk about what plants provide good food and shelter for wildlife during winter. Songbirds, for instance, feed on native plant seeds and berries.

This class is open to participants ages 18 and older. Registration is required. To register, visit https://short.mdc. mo.gov/4fA. For more information about using native plants in landscaping, visit https:// short.mdc.mo.gov/ZV7.

Board Mtg…

a rental dock. It’s very inconvenient to launch your boat each day, remove it mid-day if you want to go eat, relax at home, etc. and then have to relaunch for an evening cruise if so desired. This is why she strongly advocates for the members, she was not on the Board when the policy was rewritten in 2021, but it reads one dock per member. This was confirmed by our lawyer that one dock per member, regardless of lots/ real estate owned is correct and legal. After the September meeting she confirmed with the office that there are currently 2 members with 2 docks each. 1 of the members had 2 docks prior to the 2021 revision, in fact had prior to 2017 when records started being kept past the current season. She believes that member is what a true ‘grandfather clause’ entails. The other member was presented in Sept 2022 and she voted against renting the 2nd dock. Tiffany feels strongly that her votes still stands, her advocating for members, and being true to herself

Cont. from pg. 2 and beliefs. If the other Board members stand by their Sept. votes, she agrees with that and that is the beauty of a Board. The 3 Board members that voted in Sept. agreed with their votes.

Ed Hightshoe then spoke that this has been an ongoing issue and feels that his family continues to jump thru hoops to keep his “grandfather” status. He realizes the board changes, but wants something in writing so they can stop having to jump thru hoops each year.

Cody spoke that while he stands for his September vote, he does really appreciate the hard work and dedication that Tiffany has put into the dock rentals. It’s by far the biggest complaint issued by members and there is no way to please everyone, and Tiffany has addressed a lot of issues and cleaned up a lot of problems. It’s an impossible job and she has done a wonderful job. One solution may be to raise the rental rates, but not even sure that fixes anything. Someone else brought up that it’s a growth problem, the lake population has expanded greatly in second tier homes and there just isn’t enough real estate for docks.

Athena Hiedenwith asked why as an owner of 3 lots, and entitled to 12 watercraft, how a member for that be different than a member for a dock? As an owner of 3 lots, she has 3 votes, but can only get 1 dock? This lead to a discussion to be addressed with the lawyer, but one thing that stands out is the WCA owns the docks, so a policy can be written pertaining to those, whereas membership & voting is outlined in the bylaws & covenants.

Special Road District – Meeting with County Commissioner was attended by Gene, Keith Morris and Rodney. The Commissioner recommends we propose an increase in the tax levy thru a County ballot, April 2023 Road &Bridge Bond.

Lake Managers Report – Rodney reported a Silver Ford F150 has been purchased for maintenance if you see it around, it’s Thad driving.

Commons/Silt Pond

Committee – “Turtle Pond” is still being worked on, which is why there is still piles of dirt around area. Will move towards Falcon after that. Ced, Rodney & Tim Messman are identifying where to go next.

Lily Pad plan for next year. Lake will purchase multiple sprayers and fill with the chemicals for lakefront lot owners to spray their lily pads this spring. The residents will need to check out & in the sprayers from the maintenance staff.

Snow Removal –generally 3 people, one stays at shop to load salt and sand, the other 2 are clearing and spreading sand. Please make sure if you are on a cul-da-sac to not park on the cul-dasac area so snow can be removed.

Security will consist of Rodney & Maintenance staff for the next few months doing rounds and checking security cameras. Come Spring we will interview & hire a security person. Please call the office or Rodney with any concerns.

Basement flooring, have an estimate of $3500. It’s a floating installation so won’t be secured to concrete in case it needs to be removed for anchoring walls. Volunteers & Donations have covered drywall, paint, labor until this point. Kerrie motioned to pay for flooring, Tiffany second, motion passed.

Old BusinessMarina Road – Finished, once weather is good, grading will begin and gravel put on the edges, trailer parking area.

Riparian Rights –Ced has reached out to Monroe with no response

Cemetery Road Property – Ced has given the Board information on owners being able to purchase a small portion of land that adjoined their property & road. Ced will get finalized so it can be voted on.

Marina Restaurant –Still 2 groups interested, the bidding is close, the Board is meeting with them ASAP and will make decision.

Restructure of Water Rates – Proposal was put together by Linda K in 2020 and now being brought forth since increase WCA has absorbed is increased due to tax rate. Need to install meters in certain WCA locations (Campground, Band stand hydrant, sewer dump hydrant, North Beach)

Fee structure just doesn’t make sense any longer. All houses are allowed 4500 and billed $40 for water, $20 for sewer, then charged per gallon whenever they go over. A camper lot rarely uses, or exceeds 4500 gal, however a house usually does.

Lower connection fees to all from $40/$20 to $12/$6 and bill PER GALLON USED. Covers expenses & profitability would go to infrastructure repairs that are needed. $12/$6 would be paid by all lots, not just active lots, as the ability to have water/sewer tapped in easily is a selling point.

Cody motioned to have Meters installed this spring where needed, Rodney said he would pg. 7

Tri State Lake Property Management

Peace of Mind Property Management

•Landscaping

•Boat Maintenance

•Construction

•Monthly and Yearly Services

Contact us for details at: 515.442.5339 tstatelakepm@gmail.com

Security Person

Seasonal – Lake Thunderhead

• Weekly Pay, occasional overtime

• Mileage paid weekly

• Cell phone reimbursement

Position Requirements:

• Valid driver’s license/proof of insurance

• Calm, polite, and professional behavior.

• Reliable and self-motivated

• Strong customer service skills

• Evenings, weekends, and holidays

This position helps maintain a safe and secure environment for our residents by actively monitoring the premises, including patrolling a variety of locations, including on the water.

This position is customer service based, require excellent communication skills, as well as critical thinking with the ability to intervene and deescalate.

To ensure success in this role, the ideal candidate must be able to demonstrate professionalism while still enforcing the security and safety rules of Lake Thunderhead. Applications being accepted until March 17, 2023

Apply in person or send resume to: Wildflower Comm. Assoc. 10223 Wildflower Dr. Unionville, MO 63565 make sure they are.

Will clarify water/ sewer per gallon is one cent total.

Offsite Account boundaries/structure

Tabled as Ced had to leave meeting

Selling of Tax sale lots – Tabled as Ced had to leave meeting

New Business

New Software – New

Email addresses for office staff lakeap@nemr. net (Accounts Payable –Ferne) lakear@nemr. net (Accounts Receivable – Kim) lakemanager@ nemr.net (Rodney)

FrontSteps will be phased out in January and replaced with Nabr Network which will be a website and app you can put on your devices to view lake news, calendars, reserve lake office or shelters, etc. Hopefully Nabr network is up and running by end of

January, early Feb. It is much more user friendly and informative.

Seasonal Storage (boneyard) – Board is drafting a policy. Discussion about charging for storage, especially if we were to gravel both (which ballpark estimate is $40-50k). Discussion about making sure people park correctly to maximize number of trailers that can be stored and accessed. Takeaways from everyone as board drafts a policy is, Trailers, campers/ motorhome that are currently registered with state and in good condition, must obtain tag from office, need registration or VIN#, park in an organized fashion and you are responsible for the upkeep around your area (mow, pull or spray weed). Anything not tagged lake staff will try and identify who it belongs to and contact them, if can’t determine who it belongs to it will be removed and disposed of. Before the start of 2024 season the board is looking for a volunteer to head a committee to research cost of graveling, marking designated area’s and deciding if a fee should be charged for use of storage areas. Contact a Board Member if you are willing to become Chair or part of such committee.

Brief discussion about lots owned by WCA that will be sold online by Ced’s group at No Charge to WCA, Two currently available, working on Deed for 3rd lot. These are considered more bare type lots for water access, not necessarily buildable lots. As Ced was not in attendance at time, rest of discussion was tabled.

No lot consolidations or de-consolidation needed Board Approval.

Meeting adjourned at 6:47pm

Ask Rusty – Will My Work Earnings Affect My Social Security Benefits?

Dear Rusty: I am presently 67 years of age and am still working full time. I am receiving Medicare coverage, but I have not yet applied for monthly Social Security payments. I have been told that I can take SS payments even if I am still working. Is that correct? Is there a limit to how much I can earn each year and still receive SS payments?

Signed: Working but Wondering

Dear Working: Social Security’s so-called “earnings test” applies only to those who haven’t yet reached their full retirement age. At 67 years of age, you are already past your SS full retirement age (FRA) of 66 years and 2 months, which means there is no longer a limit to how much you can earn from working. Regardless of how much you earn, your monthly Social Security benefits will not be affected, so you can claim your Social Security at any time and not worry about your benefits being affected.

You should also know that because you haven’t yet claimed your Social Security, your monthly benefit has been growing since you reached your full retirement age in October of 2021. You’ve been earning De- layed Retirement Credits (DRCs) at the rate of .667% more benefit for each month you have delayed claiming, so your benefit now at 67 would be over 8% more than it would have been at your FRA last year. And, if you wish to, you can continue waiting to claim SS and continue to earn those DRCs to get a still higher benefit. But DRCs stop when you reach 70, when you would get your maximum Social Security benefit – about 31% more than your FRA amount – so never wait past age 70 to claim.

This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance.

Buying vs Renting…

taxes but you’ll also never see that money again. A friend of mine sold her house at age 70 and moved into an apartment complex for people over age 55. She pays rent but she says the landlord treats her well and is timely with upkeep.

A landlord who is very untimely with upkeep is very frustrating.

There are pros and cons to owning and renting. Choosing depends on your situation and personal preferences. A landlord can raise your rent and have rules pertaining to pets, painting, and more. However, it may be just exactly what you need. Typically, you don’t want to sink your money into property if you are going to move in three or four years. You might come out ahead if you buy a fixer upper and have the time and money to improve the property.

Cont. from pg. 3

You don’t want to make a bad buy. Buying property that you can’t resell is a bad idea, unless you love it and plan to live there a long time.

Keep in mind that a big chunk of most American’s wealth is in the house they own. If you pay for it and maintain it you can normally sell it to someone and recoup a lot of your money. You might even make a nice profit.

Dr. Glenn Mollette is a graduate of numerous schools including Georgetown College, Southern and Lexington Seminaries in Kentucky. He is the author of 13 books including UncommSense, the Spiritual Chocolate series, Grandpa’s Store, Minister’s Guidebook insights from a fellow minister. His column is published weekly in over 600 publications in all 50 states.