Village News

A July open meeting of the GRF Alternative Revenue and Cost Sharing Task Force (ARCS) has set the Village rumor mill in rapid motion. It is the alternative revenue-source ideas that are generating many rumors.

Rest assured: “GRF isn’t broke, underfunded or selling off land,” said Diane Phelps, Treasurer of the GRF board of directors and Chair of ARCS. “We invited all residents and staff to bring forth any and all ideas during this public meeting. We asked that no ideas be critiqued or squashed at this time so we can be open to all suggestions,” she continued.

Letters published in the October 3 and October 10 editions of the Laguna Woods Globe claim that VMS CEO Jeff Parker wants to minimize the 27-hole golf course, increase Village housing and relocate the Equestrian Center, among other things. “This is wholly untrue,” Director Phelps said. “He shared ideas, and it is my understanding that he floated the ideas to residents who use the Equestrian Center, as well. Nothing is fact, as some people have assumed.

To be clear, the VMS CEO reports to the VMS Board of Directors, as well as to the GRF and mutual boards, all of whom are residents and are the only entities authorized to make any and all decisions regarding property usage. Most of the ideas are new concepts, and we hope residents will remain open minded to positive possibilities and withhold judgement until ideas are more developed,” she said.

The mission of the task force is to research alternative revenue sources and cost-sharing models for the GRF Finance Committee to evaluate at its February 2020 meeting. If the committee deems some of the ideas promising, it will recommend to the GRF board to implement the ideas in future operating budgets and capital plans.

“We are simply exploring new sources of revenue—other than residents’ pocketbooks—to keep the GRF portion of the monthly assessment as low as possible while still providing the funding necessary to operate the Village and maintain, update and improve GRF facilities and equipment,” Director Phelps said.

One current example of an alternative revenue source is the Village Community Fund (VCF), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization formed by residents to provide support for programs, services and facilities that enrich the lives of older adults. It is not affiliated with any Village governing board or committee. Through the VCF, tax-deductible contributions would supplement funding for such things as the renovation of the Performing Arts Center and Clubhouse 1. This will result in less funding required of GRF reserves, which means lower GRF assessments.

Members who would like to share cost-sharing or revenue-source ideas are welcome to contact Director Phelps at diane.phelps@lagunawoodsvillage.com.