The Walden Lake Community Association approved at its Monday, Nov. 16, meeting the use of $77,000 of the 2016 budget for legal costs. Out of it, $50,000 could be used for either the existing lawsuit between the WLCA and Visions Golf Inc., or a land use lawyer for four unused parcels in the community, WLCA President Bob Hunter said.
This year, the WLCA became a plaintiff in a lawsuit to stop Visions Golf from rezoning part of the Walden Lake Golf and Country Club course for development. Visions Golf owns the 36-hole spread in the middle of the Walden Lake neighborhood.
The funds allocated for legal expenditures could also go toward future decisions on four parcels of land the community owns.
At the Nov. 16 meeting, the board voted to have the parcels appraised. They contain wetlands and areas that have the potential for commercial development.
Two parcels are located off of Alexander Street; one is located next to Walden Lake Elementary School; and one is behind O’Brien’s Irish Pub and Family Restaurant.
“Our interest here is to gain some revenue for the association,” Hunter said.
The $50,000 for legal expenditures was freed up after the WLCA voted to use $50,000 of the 2015 budget to develop the polo field next to the association’s office on Griffin Boulevard.
Construction of the polo field is expected to begin within the next two to three weeks and includes pavilions, restrooms and areas for recreational sports, such as baseball.
The WLCA also approved $1,014,834 from the 2016 budget for operating expenses. The operating monthly operating expenses increased by $2.26 per month, which is about $32 per year.
“When you put it in dollar issues, $32 dollars per year is not that much,” WLCA President Bob Hunter said.
RESERVE FUND
The WLCA board will increase the amount of money it puts into the reserve fund. A reserve report suggested that WLCA should increase the monthly amount in the reserve fund by $2,500. Currently, the board sets aside $5,000 per month, but will start putting aside $7,500.
“Because our community is older, we must annually maintain what the community owns,” Hunter said. “The reserve study is a state-mandated requirement. It has to be done every year.”
The money set aside in the reserve fund will be used for major property improvements, such as maintaining street signs, walking paths and the the community’s children’s park.
Over the next six years, the community will need to spend $90,000 to replace signs, Hunter said. Bridges and pedestrian walkways are also in need of repair.
IRRIGATION
In 2015, the board allocated $7,800 for irrigation but spent $45,910. The increase in costs were caused by the community changing from sprinkler systems to a drip system.
This year, the board has allocated $9,000 for irrigation, and $37,080 for landscaping and repairs. Per month, $4,257 will be spent on landscaping, repairs, mulching, annuals and irrigation combined.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.
By the Numbers: 2016 Budget
$1,014,834
Allocated for operating expenses
$2.26
Increase in operating expenses per month compared to 2015
$50,000
Allocated for legal expenditures
$12,000
Allocated for legal collections
$15,000
Allocated for legal fees
Land use question
The WLCA board voted to have four unused parcels of land the community owns appraised. The parcels contain wetlands and have areas that have the potential for commercial development. Following the appraisals of the land, the board will consult with the community to determine if the land should be kept, sold or donated. According to Florida law, the community must be consulted in regards to land use.
Parcel One
The first parcel of land is located on Alexander Street. This year, it cost the community $6,000 when a hazmat team was hired to clear out dangerous materials, such as needles, from a homeless camp.
Parcel Two
The second parcel of land is located on Alexander Street, next to the SunCoast Federal Credit Union. It is an estimated 4.2 acres.
Parcel Three
The third parcel is located next to Walden Lake Elementary and is roughly 10 acres.
Only three acres will be appraise as the board wants to keep a buffer of trees and a lake between Walden Lake residents in that area and the rest of the land. The land may have some commercial value, but could also be used to solve transportation issues between the Walden Lake community and Walden Lake Elementary.
Parcel Four
The fourth parcel is roughly between 25 and 30 acres. It is located behind O’Brien’s Irish Pub and Family Restaurant. The
area is comprised of some wetlands, and WLCA board members suspect that the homeless have also set up tents.
IN OTHER NEWS
City Manager Mike Herr gave a presentation to residents and WLCA board members at the Nov. 17 meeting. Assistant City Manager Bill McDaniel and Chief Financial Officer Diane Reichard were also in attendance. Herr gave a breakdown of the city’s budget for the fiscal year, which began in October. Herr also detailed development projects around the City of Plant City, including expansion by Central Florida Development and James Hardy Manufacturing. The presentation to the community follows a commitment made by Herr and other city staff to having informal conversations with members of the community. Herr highlighted the importance of economic development within Plant City, discussed the progress of Plant City’s Economic Development Corp. and talked about funding surfaced for road resurfacing.