The Minutes
SLE HOA BOARD MEETING
Date: April 8, 2026
Location: Cup of Grace
Board Members Attending: Gus Ferguson (VP), Brendan Mills (Treasurer), and Bryan Pettit, James Stover (Members at Large, James by phone) *Recorded for Tisha Dore (Secretary)
Quorum: YES
Call to Order: 6:35pm
Minutes from the last meeting: Accepted (Motioned by: Bryan Pettit, Seconded by: Brendan Mills)
Treasurer’s Report
Current in checking account: $ 19,804.73
Current in savings account: $ 32,021.30
Current in petty cash account: $ 201.00
Total in bank accounts: $ 52,027.03
Total owed by the community is: $ 11,092.19
Credit card payment option is now turned off. The 41 homeowners still owing on this or last year’s dues may still pay by check or money order. We often hear from folks who say they don’t have checks and don’t want to pay credit card fees. Have a bank account with First Interstate in Spirit Lake? Simply visit the branch and ask to transfer the funds for free. Also, Walmart processes money orders at the financial desk near the entrance of the store in CDA. Just bring in your cash and they’ll print a money order for $1.
******************** REMINDER: The 2026 dues are $273.17 (22.76/mo) ********************
Dues Poll: We mailed a non-binding poll with this year’s dues invoices explaining the challenges with the dues being behind today’s costs, needing to catch up with inflation. We asked for the community’s opinion about a possible increase to $400, $550 or $675 providing a summary of changes that could potentially occur with such increased amounts. The results are as follows (poll option details and anonymous quotes from homeowners submitted along with some poll responses are included at the end of these minutes):
143 votes cast (out of 296 lots, that’s 48% participating)
93 votes YES = 65%
50 votes No = 35% *two responses did not check a box but their letters on the back indicated no
Of the yeses:
41 for $400 = 44%
31 for $550 = 33%
21 for $675 = 23%
SUMMARY OF BOARD DISCUSSION ON POLL RESULTS: The purpose of the poll was to determine if the numbers would support proceeding with an election at the semi-annual meeting in May 2026 for a proposed dues increase to reflect in 2027, if the vote passed. For a vote to pass, there needs to be 2/3 of lots not just voting on a measure, but voting in the affirmative.
The board does not believe the numbers—although strong—reflect support needed to move forward with an election. It was agreed that even if more owners came out for a vote than they did for the poll, and the trend in the results ratio continued (which can’t be assumed given it’s no less likely that some were uninspired to participate than declined in hopes of reducing the likelihood of a dues election),
it was agreed that without a clear majority mandate, the board should NOT ask for a vote at this time. Instead, the board supports focusing on continued education + engagement, and possible future polling.
See end of the meeting minutes for quotes from some members submitted along with poll responses, which were also carefully weighed in the decision, and not just the numbers. Thanks to all who participated in the poll! We are a community and every opinion counts and was counted in this decision.
Behind on your dues? Send payment ASAP or contact Brendan Mills, at treasurer@spiritlakeeast.org. For more info on payments and donations (mailing address + more): www.spiritlakeeast.org/payordonate. For Financial Reports, visit www.spiritlakeeast.org/financial-reports + click Receipts for receipts by year.
Motion to accept Treasurer Report by: Bryan Pettit
Motion Seconded by: James Stover
Roads Report (Jon Dore, Road Chair): I’d like thank our Lead Operator, Joe Sandbank, and our Lead Grader, Jake Sandbank, and the rest of our Road Crew for all the great work on the asphalt project, spring cleanup. After initial grading was done late Feb to early Mar, we had more rain in mid March, and needed the roads to dry-out in prep for additional spring cleanup + asphalt project. Then, our crew had off Easter weekend, and now more rain came, so they’ll be back at it shortly. Work completed since last meeting:
Wed, Mar 25th:
- 50+ loads of asphalt grindings were distributed in the high-traffic entrances at CDA and St. Joe.
Thurs, Mar 26th:
- Another 50+ loads distributed on Liberty and lower Hayden.
** IN TWO DAYS, OUR GUYS TRUCKED-IN 2,300 YARDS OF MATERIAL, THE MOST EVER ON A PROJECT **
Fri, Mar 27th:
- Tahoe and Newman were graded while the roller ran again over the asphalt to break down the bigger chunks as well as possible to maximize use and costs of our rental.
Sat Mar 28th:
- Every part of Priest River was graded and rolled.
- CDA from Priest all the way to Treeport exit got graded and rolled as well.
- Spirit Drive also got graded.
Sun, Mar 29th:
- Liberty from roundabout to Priest River and St. Joe entrance as well as CDA from entrance all the way back to the North St. Joe Treeport exit were fine-tuned with grader and roller one last time before we handed back our roller rental by Monday morning.
While most of spring cleanup is done, I want to get everything graded, including areas that don’t get enough attention like Fernan, West Liberty + CDA to Treeport. Keep you posted as more work is done.
Gus asked if there were any repairs needed on our plows. Jon said he believes all maintenance is done. But he’ll double-check. Gus offered to help with whatever is needed including donating welding time.
Speeds are really picking up. Please slow down to preserve our unpaved roads and drive safe around our equipment + operators. Drivers are passing them even on blind curves without being waved-on to pass. If you encounter equipment on our roads, wait for their signal.
Email: roads@spiritlakeeast.org. For the roads form (to report issues): www.spiritlakeeast.org/roads
Motion to Accept the Roads Report: Brendan Mills
Motion Seconded by: James Stover
ARC Report: No updates. If you’re building and have questions, contact James at arc@spiritlakeeast.org. For more on building in SLE + to access form (for review/approvals): www.spiritlakeeast.org/building-info.
Motion to accept ARC Report by: Bryan Pettit
Motion Seconded by: Brendan Mills
Timber Report: Planning on logging in spring? Reminder logging + timing needs approval (form below).
For questions about Timber Management, email Timber Chair, Gus Ferguson: timber@spiritlakeeast.org. Commercial Logging + Timber Exemption Forms can be found here: www.spiritlakeeast.org/timber.
Motion to accept Timber Report by: Brendan Mills
Motion Seconded by: Bryan Pettit
Welcome Report: New to Spirit Lake East? Welcome to our beautiful community. If you have questions in general about living in SLE, feel free to email the welcome email. Also, if you’ve not yet registered with us as a new owner using the Google form (link below) or you've been living in SLE for years, but have changed emails or phone numbers, please register your new contact info with us so we can reach you, if needed: www.spiritlakeeast.org/new-residents (or email us with questions: welcome@spiritlakeeast.org).
Motion to Accept Welcome Report: Bryan Pettit
Motion Seconded by: James Stover
OLD BUSINESS
Sign Maintenance – Missing and broken signs are being repaired and new posts will be installed shortly. Brendan is managing these on CDA + Spokane Circle. James confirmed he’s holding onto signs for him. Brendan will also install the school bus signs once work on the SLE entrances is complete. He’ll also coordinate with David on the No Soliciting signs + sign consolidation, again, once entrance work is done.
Spring Newsletter: Latest edition underway including: May Semi-Annual Meeting, Dues Poll Results, etc.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: Given how many options there are now for online posting of the newsletter (Facebook, NextDoor, website + email to all who have provided one), we will no longer be mailing newsletters to those who have not provided an email and can find it on our website. If you want to provide an email address, please send it or newsletter entries for consideration to: newsletter@spiritlakeeast.org.
Newsletters & Ad Info: www.spiritlakeeast.org/newsletters
Motion to Accept Old Business: Bryan Pettit
Motion Seconded by: Brendan Mills
NEW BUSINESS
Intermax – Spring is here and lines can be more easily installed without need for temporary lines as were required during winter time. Our fiber internet company is still doing set-up largely financed by a grant, including trenching up our very long driveways at no charge. We’ve never before had this option and it’s a great added value to any home. Get it done while the grant is still in place, Spirit Lake East Homeowners. Tiered services offered: $80, $100, $130/mo. Call 208-676-0471 or visit intermaxnetworks.com/fiber.
Motion to Accept New Business: Brendan Mills
Motion Seconded by: Bryan Pettit
- Motion to adjourn by: James Stover at 7:12pm
Motion Seconded by: Brendan Mills
- Meeting was adjourned at: 7:12pm
*** HOMEOWNER FEEDBACK SUBMITTED WITH PROPOSED DUES INCREASE POLL ***
Reminder of Poll Options
Option 1 – No increase. Current dues of $273.17 to remain in effect. Members should expect a decline in the conditions of our roads, with reduced plowing, sanding, road repair, and grading. Equipment maintenance would also be affected.
*As discussed—and per the CC&Rs—we’d continue to manage the roads, but while increasingly depending on donations (financial from residents + 100’s of volunteer hours), advertising revenue + working deals with contacts by team members who won’t always be here to help. This isn’t a viable, long-term plan—given inevitable donor/volunteer/advertiser-churn and inflation (insurance + fuel costs alone)—it’s a community unrealistically supplemented by personal sacrifice.
Option 2 – Raise dues to $400, a $126.83 increase, which would generate $37,288 in additional revenue. This would allow us to maintain current levels of service, increase the number of hours for our equipment operators, haul more rock, grade more often, purchase a compactor for the grader, and make necessary equipment repairs and upgrades.
Option 3 – Raise dues to $550, a $276.83 increase, which would generate $81,388 in additional revenue. This would allow us to upgrade the roads to a considerable degree, upgrade and maintain equipment, fund the purchase of a newer (used) snowplow, and expand equipment operator hours substantially.
Option 4 – Raise dues to $675, a $401.83 increase, which would generate $118,138 in additional revenue. This would allow substantial road improvements (including deep road base repairs in problem areas), give us the funds to replace aging equipment, replace one snowplow, replace the loader, expand operator hours, and much more.
From Polls Supportive of Dues Increase
YES, Option 2 ($400):
“Recommending increased frequency of grading and laying gravel. Do we need a snow plow? What’s the pro forma on new (used) plow vs. hiring an outside company for snow removal.”
*HOA response to clarify for all: Thanks for your feedback, and the opportunity respond to comments with info that the community may not know, and may benefit from knowing as owners here. Per the CC&Rs, Spirit Lake East must own, maintain and utilize all of our own equipment for grading and snow removal. The Road Crew plows when snow gets to six inches or greater, which fluctuates slightly depending on time of day that is achieved. So, for example, we may plow at 5 inches or 7 inches depending on when it’s safest to do so. As far as road base is concerned, we distribute as much as can be afforded along with trucking, grading, fuel and other possible costs, such as the use of a roller, etc.
YES, Option 2 ($400):
“I agree that the dues likely need to be raised in order to better take care of the roads. However, the wording of these options seems to be a little off.
The dues were increased by the board 3% for 2025, and per the US bureau of statistics inflation for 2025 was 2.7%. With this in mind, raising the dues 3% should cover inflation and allow for the same level of services as provided in 2025. However, the options list that the $400 dues would allow similar levels of service to 2025, when in fact this would be a 46% increase in dues. For an almost 50% increase in revenue, any business would be expected to drastically increase output, unless something else is expected to increase like administrative fees. I could be wrong, but I don't believe that is the case here - so stating that the dues being at $400 annually per household should keep services similar seems to be inaccurate. In reality (unless I'm completely off-base here) even passing the $400 dues should drastically increase the ability of the HOA to maintain and improve the roads.
It's clear that the board wants to solve the issues that everyone seems to be complaining about, and without question the answer to this is increase the dues. However, the wording of these options and the poll in general seems to have quite a bit of biased language used, and I can see how certain folks could even make an argument that the wording is misleading.”
*HOA response to clarify for all: Per the bylaws we all agreed to when purchasing a home here, the board may vote annually to increase the dues by up to 3%. So, as a homeowners association, we’d never be working off of an annual inflation percentage from U.S. Bureau of Statistics. However, to put it into perspective, the inflation rate in 2024 was 2.9%, and 2023, it was 3.4%. In 2022, inflation reached an all-time high of 9.1%. In 2021, consumer prices across the board increased by 6.5% (energy that year alone was up 41.5% + food costs 10%, etc., all averaged to 6.5%). So, this and the fact that we go by the rule book we all agreed to when buying here is why it’s not realistic to go off the annual rate of inflation. As noted in the poll, we’re behind the times overall because—for many years since the HOA’s first collected dues in 1980—there were no increases, so we won’t ever catch up to inflation. More importantly, we’ve lost the exponential increase in revenues our community would’ve seen had the dues increased 3% even most years, then that number by 3%, and so on. As we’ve already made clear, boards had their reasons not to increase dues, such as the SBA loan approved decades ago. But, now that the loan is going away for the last of its payers here in SLE, we can do what’s possible to bring the dues up to where they’d be had there been an increase each year since inception. A wide majority of those polled agree it’s important to do so, and believe the proposed amounts are still low, even for North Idaho.
YES, Option 2 ($400):
“Agreed to option two. Request at least twice per year Priest River grading.”
YES, Option 2 ($400):
“Please consider splitting these new fees like property taxes. In our household, we have two birthdays [around] Christmas. To have two birthdays, property taxes, Christmas gifts plus HOA dues due within weeks of each other is extremely taxing. Maybe a payment structure of the first payment due March and the second due in September. We could all use a financial break. I believe splitting the dues will relieve stress on our community and may turn into more timely due’s collection. Thank you.”
YES, Option 2 ($400):
“Yes, to option 2. Hello, I would have offered an option of the $378.16 to bring us to date first (I know that this lost revenue, but it’s easier to justify for many) or ask people what dollar amount is affordable. The jumps from option 1 up are pretty significant, would have offered a milder scale.
I would have offered the justifiable $378.16 this year… Asked to prove ourselves this next year… Then ask in advance for another $50 to $100 next year if people are happy about how 2026 goes.
Sadly, there’s too much division to go for broke all at once, as the issues are decades in the making. Start with solid methodical increases that are less likely to stir up some. Thanks!”
YES, Option 2 ($400):
“Would consider an additional one-time fee.”
YES, Option 2 ($400):
“Historically, SLE residents have not responded well to suggested dues increases. Bringing the dues back to where they could have been, had the annual 3% increase been consistently enacted, is the most realistic goal to shoot for. Besides everyone’s water bills and power bills have recently shot up, causing budgets to be stretched badly, especially for folks on a fixed income.”
YES, Option 2 ($400):
“Plus one-time assessment of $300 to $400.”
YES, Option 2 ($400):
“If the blade was put on the road and actually cut to the bottom of the potholes while there is still moisture for it to be compacted, the roads might improve… I’ve lived here for over 30 years and it seems the blade is always late to get the job done… And never cut deep enough.”
*HOA response to clarify for all: Thanks for your feedback and the opportunity to respond. If the blade digs down beyond the potholes we’d be digging up the entirety of each road and all the boulders buried in them as the roads weren’t built correctly 50 years ago. We’d basically be dismantling all roads and rebuilding them, which unfortunately, is not possible logistically or financially. We can use the rippers on the new-to-us grader in key sections to do spot work. But the main focus is on building-up the roads including rebuilding the crown, which was removed years ago without regard to drainage.
YES, Option 2 ($400):
“Yes, option two. I chose the $400 option because I believe it has the best chance of passing. However, we would be willing to support the other two increased amounts if there is enough support. Thanks.”
YES, Option 2 ($400):
“Of the options presented we would support option 2.
Option 3 appears to be a good option and we would support option 3 were it not for the motorcycles, ATV’s, and snowmobiles destroying the roads and embankments (it’s throwing good money after bad). Some of this damage could be mitigated if the HOA board would be vocal by stating that property owners of SLE have agreed to be bound by the CC&R‘s which include restrictions against the operation of motorcycles, ATV’s and snowmobiles within the boundaries of Spirit Lake East (ATV’s are considered motorcycles as opined by Wetzel, Wetzel, Bredson & Holt in a letter to the HOA dated April 18, 2008).
Previous SLE HOA boards have proclaimed that motorcycles et al. may use the roads to enter or egress SLE.
At least acknowledge that the CC&R‘s exist. We recognize that enforcement is next to impossible, however, appealing to the fact that HOA members gave their word to abide by the rules when they purchased property in SLE may encourage some to tell their kids (or themselves) to respect their neighbors and keep their word.”
YES, Options 2 ($400) or 3 ($550):
“We would be willing to meet somewhere between options 2 & 3. PROVIDING there are noticeable improvements and no excuses. It’s been 15 years of crappy roads and lots of arguing. I also believe there should be something in writing for the Spirit Lake East community to protect us. NOTARIZED.”
YES, Option 3 ($550):
“We appreciate the road crew and know that the amount we currently pay really can't cover what needs to happen to maintain our roads.”
YES, Option 3 ($550):
“I am voting for an increase but am worried because I am far from impressed with the lack of road maintenance currently being performed. What guarantee do we have that things will actually get done and we will not just be told too bad [they’re] dirt roads that’s the way it is.”
YES, Option 3 ($550):
“Please let us know the percentages of homeowners who voted in each category. And percentage of homeowners that respond to this survey. Thank you.”
YES, Option 3 ($550):
“Yes, option three. Have lived here for 33+ years on Hayden, Drive—always thought you have done a good job on the roads! No complaints—keep up the good work—and YES, you need to raise our dues!”
YES, Option 3 ($550):
“$50 a month is a reasonable amount for the services provided. That would be $600/yr. Has there ever been an estimate done for asphalting CDA and St. Joe as the main thoroughfares? Expensive initially but in the long term would probably be easier to maintain.”
*HOA response to clarify for all: Thanks for your input! The entrances are paved underneath the rock but they were laid entirely too low, so you’ve never seen them, and that’s increased the difficulty in our HOA maintaining them, even though that’s never been our responsibility, but the state’s. It wasn’t until just last year when the state accepted responsibility for the entrances as they should always have (and were initially) but that obligation never made it on paper when the community and entrances were established in the late 70’s before the HOA started in 1980. Last year, our current board registered the entrances with the state, and they are now taking responsibility. While they have done some initial work to build them up during prep on the Highway 54 project in 2025, there was a strike that caused some delays, and the project isn’t yet done. So, our entrances will be upgraded further over this year. They will not be paving them, however. It’s simply too expensive and there are too many entrances for which they need to accept responsibility on Highway 54.
YES, Option 3 ($550):
“What’s the potential of having the county take possession of the roads in our development? The county has the tax base which we’re already paying anyway and the equipment to repair and maintain the road. Our HOA road team could still snowplow and the HOA could focus on other items our development needs to maintain like mailboxes, etc. It just seems to be a good idea to have the county assume responsibility for the roads. I would welcome discussion of this with the Road committee. Please know [we] really appreciate all the work your team does to maintain our roads; we just feel the task is likely too expensive and the scope of the work to be done is too large for what our HOA can deal with.”
*HOA response to clarify for all: Thanks for your response and opportunity to answer this important question for SLE. Unfortunately, the county taking over our roads is not a possibility. Even if they did, as was done on 10th Street, homeowners lost property, and were given a bill to cover those costs (10’s of 1,000’s per household) and their property taxes went up significantly. When Treeport and SLE residents were offered a grant to pave the roads 20+ years ago, Treeport opted to pave their roads while SLE did not. That grant is no longer available. For us, if a grant were to be reintroduced at this time (there is no such grant being offered or on the horizon), each SLE resident would need to also cover the costs which would be in the 100’s of thousands of dollars, and we’d be annexed to the city, potentially lose our timber exemptions and required to pay property taxes on our full acreage, and the city could parcel off the land, and we’d all of a sudden triple the housing density and population in SLE, changing the community to a Hayden-like suburb.
YES, Option 3 ($550):
“Would love to see recycled asphalt – oil all the roads, and let the community vote on it. Special assessment for this purpose only. Very frustrating. The amount of dust created over the past couple of years due to cable and underground line improvements. All worth it but frustrating for us to pay $500+ a year to keep the dust down. Contract group rate should be less per household based on volume. Maybe price it out plus send out a poll on a special assessment to upgrade all the roads with recycled asphalt/oil. Thank you. Regarding billing if increasing dues based on option three or four, can you build out assessments two times per year? Maybe do January one and July one as paying $550 or $675 all in one lump sum is a lot given property taxes are due in December plus holidays.”
*HOA response to clarify for all: Thanks for your input! We’d love to continue the asphalt projects as we can afford them. From our most recent asphalt project where the Road Committee worked a deal with Scarsella (Highway 54 contractor) we secured 2,300 yards of material for just $3K plus competitively-priced trucking, roller and three days of free grading. We are in conversations to do again in the fall when Scarsella has more material from demo’ing the highway section closest to SLE, so we do hope this will help us to stretch our dollars even farther. However, even with deals worked and time donated by volunteers, it would not be financially possible to distribute asphalt on all roads. Regarding treating them, it's been proposed before, and we would love to do this. However, even with coordinating a group rate, which we’ve worked to coordinate before as well, it would be 100’s of thousands of dollars to spray the entire complex, so we leave it to the community to coordinate on discounted group rates. Just contact roads@spiritlakeeasst.org to let us know about road treatment plans first, so that we can help to prep the roads first wherever possible and as weather, conditions allow.
YES, Option 3 ($550):
“I personally think that working on the roads in sections moves around too much. Start at St. Joe Drive from Highway [54] or CDA at [54] and work over the entrances then concentrate on either St. Joe or CDA and get them up to standard as they are both main roads that everyone uses. Then after they are updated go to the other roads with in SLE. I do not think with limited budget NEW or more equipment should be considered at this time. Thank you.”
*HOA response to clarify for all: Thanks for your suggestions! To confirm, our Road Crew does manage the roads in the above-mentioned manner, prioritizing first by traffic volume, and entrances have the most vehicles and wear + tear. So, we do grade the entrances as often as possible, then the community roads, prioritizing them by traffic volume as well.
YES, Option 3 ($550):
“[Yes, option three (1st choice), option four (2ndchoice), option two (3rd choice)]. We do feel that dues need to be increased to improve the quality and safety of our roads. We have put our choice in order of first, second and third as we feel that no changes is irresponsible. However, with a hope of increased dues, we kindly ask the HOA especially the Road Crew to be wise with the funds. We say this, not as an “Old Joe”—so to speak—but with knowledge, skill & experience in excavation and road building. For over 20 years, we have owned a business & put in commercial complexes, subdivisions & countless driveways. Often the gravel brought here is clear washed, expensive finishing gravel, which is typically not what is needed. Only then, a few weeks later, the rain comes, potholes, come, and all gravel is graded off. We truly hope the crown will be properly restored with proper base and functioning ditches. We are looking forward to a sustained change rather than a sick cycle. Thanks for hearing our thoughts!”
*HOA response to clarify for all: Thanks for your feedback! We are not using on our roads clear washed finished landscaping gravel, which is approximately $100-$150/ton. We are using crushed granite with sharper edges to hold better in the roads and it costs us about $11/ton (a huge difference from clear washed finished gravel). In recent years, we moved from the previously used river rock because (as we are sure you know from being in the industry for 20 years) is round, and doesn’t hold in the road like crushed granite does. We’ve seen a significant improvement with the granite. However, we are doing what we can with the budget we have to also incorporate asphalt grindings in areas as well, thanks to some deals the Road Crew has worked including free and deeply discounted material through the Highway 54 project as well as leveraging donated volunteer time + free grading to offset trucking costs where possible (see minutes above where we hauled in 2,300 yards of asphalt grindings, the most material ever on a project here in SLE). Of course, people speed. We can’t do much about that but continue to remind and set cameras in key spots. Please note, the material that is in the berms on the sides of the roads is full of boulders and old river rock, so what material does land on the sides does act as a buffer to keep that inferior material from re-entering the roads. If folks would slow down that would certainly help. Right now, we’re continuing to focus on rebuilding the crown and the berms help with that as well. Given your long-time experience in the industry, we invite you to volunteer to help with the management of our roads, and work whatever deals you can on behalf of our community. Please email roads@spiritlakeeast.org. Thank you!
YES, Options 3 ($550) or 4 ($675):
“Option three or four if payment can be split to quarterly.”
YES, Options 3 ($550) or 4 ($675):
“I would be fine with options 3 or 4, but with 4, would prefer if investment in road base was the first priority over new or additional equipment, as the road base seems to be the foundation.”
YES, Option 4 ($675):
“Having well maintained roads will increase property values substantially.”
YES, Option 4 ($675):
“I would be interested in volunteering for roadwork.”
*HOA Response: THANK YOU! We will be in touch.
YES, Option 4 ($675):
“Yes, option four. Consider offering biannual payment structure Jan 1 and July 1. Curious if there are any elderly on a fixed income. I would not like my choice to affect them.”
YES, Option 4 ($675):
“Split in two payments.”
YES, Option 4 ($675):
“I think option four is responsible. We could hopefully build up some reserve funds for unforeseen and emergency needs.”
YES, Option 4 ($675):
“My understanding is that the last time a vote was taken to raise the HOA fee, it failed by a small margin. [Those who] enter/exit their properties from Highway 54 will always vote against an increase as they get no benefit from the increase. If the polling looks like support for raising the fees is unlikely, consider introducing a “road maintenance fee,” paid by those who access their homes via SLE roads. Some clever wordsmithing will need to be done in order to get it through but it might be more acceptable to everyone on Highway 54 and allow an increase to occur. Thanks.”
YES, Option 4 ($675):
“$400 is 33.33 per month. $550 is 45.83 per month. $675 is 56.25 per month (still very cheap).”
YES, Option 4 ($675):
“…We have lived in Spirit Lake East for almost 4 years now.
1. We appreciate the frugality of the board but have always felt that HOA dues were far too low. At $273.17, that’s only $23 a month. I have elected the maximum increase of $675 (which is only $56/month) if the roads can be maintained in a superior manner.
2. The maintenance of the roads is my biggest concern living in Spirit Lake East. Potholes are a nuisance and directly affect our property values and the ability to sell our property.
3. If the dues are increased, some dust control measures in the summer months would also be appreciated.
4. We feel the road, maintenance efforts and personnel do a great job. Let’s give them the funds and equipment necessary to continue their fine work.”
*HOA Response: THANKS! We do hope that continuing to incorporate more asphalt grindings will help with dust control, and so far, the feedback on this has been extremely positive. Unfortunately, treating the roads is not within our budget. Even if we were to get a bulk rate, it’d be in the 100’s of thousands to spray all of our nearly 30 miles (60 lane miles) of roads. Previously, we have tried to help with negotiating bulk rates for neighbors who want to invest together in treating their road sections. However, we’ve found that it’s easier and the discounts are the same if we get out of the way, and encourage neighbors to coordinate with each other on this directly. Let us know so we can do what we can to prep those sections first. Thanks again for your support (to all here who have given a kind word, really, it goes a long way).
YES, Option 4 ($675):
“…..At this time, I would vote in favor of option four, an increase of our yearly dues to $675. I believe that this increase is necessary to improve and maintain the improvements of our community roads. I believe that this would substantially increase our property values by tens of thousands of dollars.
The financial concerns of our senior citizen neighbors who live on fixed incomes must be taken into consideration and therefore payment options should allow for payment in full or partial payment quarterly, or payment monthly.
Our current yearly HOA dues are $273.17 or approximately $22.75 per month or approximately $91 quarterly. If our HOA dues were increased to $675 yearly, an increase of $401.83 yearly, this may create a financial burden to our neighbors living on a fixed income or facing other types of financial stress. The monthly increase would be approximately $55.25 or [$168.75] quarterly. These full or partial payment options may ease the burden of the HOA dues increase.
There may (or may not) be a 5th Option. Have you considered renewing the existing old SBA loan to purchase the newer Road equipment? This would still allow for an increase in the HOA dues but at a lesser amount than option #4 and the repayment of the renewed SBA loan payments would be included in this new dues increase.
There may even be a possible 6th Option. To achieve the needed 2/3 206 votes needed perhaps the dues increase would only apply to improved parcels of land with homes built on these parcels, but the dues increased to unimproved vacant parcels would not apply. In affect the out of state owners of the unimproved parcels would benefit from the improvements to our roads at no additional cost to them. This may sway them to vote in favor of the dues increase.
I do have a question for the board. Over the years, my wife has kept a nighthawk’s eye on the SBA loan and when it would be paid off. She has called the board several times and she was always told that it would be paid off in 2025. Now it seems the loan will be paid off in 2027. Why is that???
One final thought and it is about the purchasing of the newer road equipment. Have you considered Gov/Military equipment auctions? I have been to Gov/Military auctions and the prices can be UNBELIEVABLY inexpensive. Under the LAW the government MUST replace its equipment every 15 years regardless of its condition. This not only provides new equipment for these agencies but it also stimulates the economy. The equipment is maintained in top-notch condition until the very last day. One time I saw a 4-door, rear tandem wheel, pick-up truck, with an enormous steel cable winch on its front end that would have easily pulled a very large truck out of a ditch (the street value of the winch alone would have been close to $5,000) sell for ONLY $600! I didn’t bid on it because I didn’t need another truck at the time and I thought that it would have sold for THOUSANDS of dollars. My BIG mistake for not bidding on that pick-up truck!
Another time I saw a mini-bus, with a hydraulic lift for wheelchairs at its rear, sell at an auction. It was in near perfect condition and was ONLY used to transport prisoners from the Kootenai County jail to the Court House and back. It had LESS than 1,000 miles on it and it sold for $1,500! The Gov/Military auctions used to be held at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, but now they are held at an Army base in central Washington. This is something which you can check out beforehand when purchasing newer road equipment. Thank you for your time and efforts and keeping our community, Spirit Lake East, the wonderful place which we all live in.”
*HOA Response: Thanks for your response + support of our Road Crew. We are trying not to be repetitive in our replies, so suffice to say TO ALL WHO HAVE LEFT SUPPORTIVE MESSAGES, we really appreciate your understanding + support. We do the best we can for SLE, and make every effort to save on costs wherever possible + 1000’s of volunteer hours.
From Polls Unsupportive of Dues Increase
NO, Option 1 (No Increase):
“Previous boards were able to save over 100k without raising dues. Do better for the community. Stop wasting our money!!!!”
NO, Option 1 (No Increase):
“From what I’ve seen so far, I am uncomfortable with the way and what dues are being spent on. In the past, previous boards have done a lot with less. An open pocketbook with the current board is a scary thought.”
NO, Option 1 (No Increase):
“There should be zero fees. I can maintain my own road. Abolish the HOA.”
*HOA response to clarify for all: Thanks for your feedback. For fifty years, SLE has been an HOA-managed neighborhood. We all agreed to this when purchasing properties here in the private community. The roads do belong to the HOA and while we greatly appreciate the supplemental maintenance done by Friends of the Road Crew (approved long-timers who are skilled and work in partnership with our Road Crew on a case-by-case basis to main certain areas/sections of road), we often must spend money from our limited budget in order to repair roads neighbors try to maintain themselves. Even if you are highly skilled—and we’d love to hear from you if you are as we always invite more volunteers—it’s not realistic to expect that all residents would agree to personally maintain the roads section by section, ultimately in different ways. If you are of the mindset that the HOA should be abolished, unfortunately, SLE might not be the community for you. However, we really appreciate your feedback, and the opportunity to address this topic in response to your comments.
NO, Option 1 (No Increase):
“Here’s my two cents response to the proposal of rate increases.
Honestly, any dues increase, much less asking for a nearly 50% hike to $400 is likely a non-starter with this membership. A bump to $300 might have a chance of passing. There is nothing saying you can’t put voting on multiple dollar amounts on the agenda and start with a vote on the amount most likely to pass.
I’ve been here since 1995, and I’ve seen the association piss away a lot of money in the past. The SBA loan being the worst, since it made little or no long-term improvement to the roads due to dry wells in the wrong spot and using the wrong type of rock. Most of the large purchases were over $5000 and against the bylaws since there was no membership vote. A prior grader was purchased in such poor condition that it ultimately cost the association more in repairs and maintenance than fixing the old one. The boondoggle of mining the maintenance lot has cost more money in the long run as well. A previous roller for the grader was scrapped because the operators complained it extended the amount of time required to grade, and now you want a compactor? (I agree BTW, that grading without rolling is part of the reason the roads pothole again very quickly.)
What is your get-well plan for the roads? You’re asking for more money to keep doing the same without a long-term plan to improve the roads. What is the plan to fix the lack of a good road base? What are you going to do different because lightly scraping and pushing what little road base we have into the ditches every time you grade isn’t working? The berms created by grading are holding water on the road and exacerbating the problem. You have noticed the lake that is created near the CDA entrance, right?
I would be amenable to a large increase if I had some assurance that more money would result in long-term improvements instead of just fixing broken equipment and providing a few extra greetings a year that don’t last.”
NO, Option 1 (No Increase):
“The quality and quantity of time being spent on our roads is nowhere near a point where there would be an excuse to increase dues. Wait until 227 when the loan is paid off and we will have that money to use. But please actually use it for the care of the roads. Signs are missing and post her falling over. The Road committee used to take care of this. Trash and large objects left on or just to the side of the road are not picked up. A couple of people are leaving their trash, pick up continually out on the road without bothering to bring the barrels back up to their homes. The circles that we had thinned out for free by some FEMA thing several years back are getting overgrown, except for Saint Joe’s Circle that we neighbor is voluntarily thinned out a few years ago. I thought a lot of this was part of the HOA control? Someone is using the corner of Saint Joe in Newman for their personal garage sale corner. Really classes of the neighborhood. So… No… No increase in dues. Happy New Year.”
NO, Option 1 (No Increase):
“I believe more detailed explanation is needed. I would like to see itemized lines of expenditures to support an increase.
I might consider supporting an increase if a lower percent year over year were also adopted.”
NO, Option 1 (No Increase):
“If there were any hope at all that an increase in dues would result in the improvement of our roads, my husband + I would happily pay for and support that. I’m not certain where our subsequent dues went, but it certainly wasn’t towards the maintenance of our own road, let alone a number of others. Our section of CDA wasn’t graded last year. Any plowing that occurs is typically done by a kind / tired-of-waiting-for-the-Road-Crew neighbor. The only way I will pay an increase in dues is if the plowing / grading / sanding /graveling is taken over by an actual co. whose sole job is road maintenance. Anyone who pays to put an asphalt in a floor in a shop meant for heavy equipment has no business making those kinds of decisions. We all pay the HOA to maintain the roads. I have yet to see that happen, but I sure would like to.”
NO, Option 1 (No Increase):
“Lol. You people are funny!”
NO, Option 1 (No Increase):
“….. I’m not usually a pessimistic person, but often nearly 30 years in the subdivision with no significant change to the roads despite the promises, I don’t think I’ll ever see improvements. People would have to actually care about driving slowly, so it has to preserve the roads improvements. Most people have no respect for themselves let alone anyone else. Our CC&R’s say no shooting, and yet our neighbors shoot frequently, and then make excuses as to why the rule doesn’t apply to them. The CC&R‘s say no motorcycles, and yet, they roar down the streets in them. So, in fact, it’s a people problem not a road problem. My neighbors have in eligible going way faster than the 15 mph that’s posted. They know no one can do anything about it, and they simply don’t care! Why then why throw good money after an ultimately poor result? It’s not worth it to me and I don’t have the luxury of spending my hard-earned money in that way anyhow. Get some teeth and they CC&Rs or a band in them.”
NO, Option 1 (No Increase):
“We are concerned at the rate of spending for road base/hauling when roads are in no different condition in the 10 years we have been here. Rock is up to the side of the road, large berms prevent appropriate drainage. It seems roads are minimally graded and plowed. Any surplus should be used for road base the following year. We have had mild winters the last few years 30K in the bank feels unwise. Spend less, create a budget then ask for more money. We support better roads, but not when asked for like this. All we need from the HOA is to plow, grade and sand when needed. Please create a plan, budget thin ask for an increase.”
NO, Option 1 (No Increase):
“We get no benefit from the HOA, no part of our lot touches any SLE road. I will always vote no for any dues increase. For any hope to [illegible] you should let any lot like mine out of the HOA. Then you may get the votes you’re looking for.”
NO, Option 1 (No Increase):
“Do members of the Spirit Lake East HOA board, I am writing in response to the notice regarding the proposed increase in HOA dues for the coming year. After reviewing explanation provided, I respectfully wished to petition this increase as it applies to homeowners resigning on Highway 54.
NO, Option 1 (No Increase):
“I propose a ‘decrease’ for the members who don’t use roads at all!
Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
NO, Option 1 (No Increase):
“I’m probably not the best person to be asking. I was widowed 2 1/2 years ago and I live on Social Security. Anything is going to be a hardship on me. I do understand this situation and I thank you for all you try to do. God bless you!”
As stated in the notice, the purpose of the dues increases to cover road related maintenance cost, including snow, plowing, sanding, grading, and gravel improvements. However, homes located on Highway 54 do not utilize or benefit from these services. Highway 54 is maintained by the city, including snow removal and road up, and is not serviced by the association.
Despite this, homeowners on Highway 54 ahead of consistently paid HOA dues that contribute to these road maintenance services each year, even though none of these services applied to our properties. Well, I fully understand and support the need for increased money to maintain and improve the gravel roads within the community, those improvements directly Benefit only the residence who live on those roads.
Given this distinction, I respectfully request that homes located on Highway 54 be excluded from the proposed dues increase, or that a separate due structure be considered that more accurately reflects the services each area receives. It does not seem equitable for homeowners to encourage increased cost for services from which they arrive no benefit.
I appreciate the board time and consideration of this request and look forward to your response. My intent is to seek a fair and balanced solution that supports the needs of the community while recognizing the differences in services provided.”
NO, Option 1 (No Increase):
“Our property is totally landlocked from Spirit Lake East. Our property has absolutely no access into the Spirit Lake East homeowners community in any way. The only road access into or out of our property is from Highway 54. Our property is surrounded by separate 12.5 acres of large Private properties on both sides and to the rear of our home.
Other than our house and Shop, our property consist of high density, Forrest, hills and embankments. There is no walkway, path, driveway or road connected to a part of Spirit Lake east, or it’s roads from our property without First having to trespass over somebody else’s private property. We are basically an island which is totally isolated from the main neighborhood/community.
We purchased our home in 2012 when the Spirit Lake East homeowners Association on their own water, rights, Spirit Lake East water company and maintained the well. Some years after we purchased our home, the well fell into disrepair, and the homeowners association did not have the funds to restore the well. As a result, the Spirit Lake East homeowners association sold all its water rights to a private water company who now has completely taken over this service for all residents of Spirit Lake East and beyond. I have spoken to the owners of the Gem State water company. And obtained a signed letter indicating that Jim State water company is not associated with the Spirit Lake homeowners association in anyway. I was also advised that it is not necessary to live within Spirit Lake East or to be a member of the homeowners association to receive their water services. I have retained this letter per advice of legal council in this matter.
As a result of the above, my wife and I now receive absolutely ZERO service services which we agreed to, and we were ORIGINALLY entitled to at the time we purchased our home in 2012. Accordingly, we are requesting to be removed from the Spirit Lake Homeowners Association. I genuinely believe that removal from the association would not only benefit Highway 54 homeowners, but would also benefit the association as a whole. I have discussed this matter with our LANDLOCKED homeowners on Highway 54. For those many of us who fall into this category, we look forward to discussing this matter, and more at the upcoming meeting in May. Should you have any questions on her before May, I can be reached at the number listed above.”
*HOA response to clarify for all: Dear Highway 54 respondents, thanks for the above feedback. While we understand your frustration that you do not (for the most part) use the SLE roads (many do, and we’ve seen this over the years, and even spoken to Highway 54 residents who say they use the roads and another who was addressed roadside for speeding), please understand—as mentioned in recent written responses + past newsletters, email replies, and other social media—HOAs can no more break down dues or obligations to their CC&Rs based on location of properties within the HOA or use of services by any given lot any more than we as residents here (or elsewhere) can avoid paying our property taxes in the area to cover all of the expenses from which we may never benefit including elderly, retired persons on fixed incomes or young couples without children needing to pay for local schools, for example. In Kootenai County, our property taxes cover many roads we’ll never use, many institutions we’ll never frequent and schools no one in our households will ever attend. Yet, we are obligated to pay those property taxes, regardless. While many of you do not often or ever use the SLE roads, you do in many ways enjoy the best of both worlds. Yes, you are legally attached to the HOA but you’re also under the legal PROTECTIONS of the HOA, and there is safety in numbers. So, for examples, your “landlocked” neighbors can never build five homes on their one lot or sell-off parcels of their single lot to numerous families each to build separate homes or sell to a high-density commercial developer of apartment buildings, all which would cause a significant increase in the population around and subsequent impact to your lot. You will never look out your window to see a convenience store or a gas station or loading bay of a dollar store, as the folks in Spirit Lake now must endure. You also get to enjoy long private driveways far away from the Highway in comparison to the traffic that freely and FASTLY speeds by our homes here in SLE. The roads right to your door—as you mentioned—are even maintained by the county, and as of last year, due to the HOA’s work with the state, even the entrances to your private driveways are now registered and grandfathered in with the state, which is now obligated to maintain them, thanks to our efforts. What’s more, about water access, the SLE water company never PROVIDED water as part of your dues. You had to pay for your water just as you do now but to Gem State. Also, you are correct, Gem State is a provider of a water service, and there is no obligation to use their services. You can, instead, drill your own well. But, please note, you get only one water right, so if you don’t opt for water service from Gem State, which now serves our area, you may have a well, but not both. Drilling a well will pay for itself in approximately 80 years. So, while none of us are happy about the new pricing of Gem State, most would opt to not drill and maintain a well that could take near a century to pay-off. Thanks again for the opportunity to answer these questions for you and many others.
NO, Option 1 (No Increase):
“You didn’t need to replace any equipment. We have 29 road miles and the grader needed $15K and repairs not replacement. I have not seen a [ineligible] board on the new grader thus when the road is graded is it is not deep enough to fill all of the potholes. You as a board without a vote of any kind spent almost all the emergency savings so you figure it out. As a board you have sentenced us to worse roads so you could replace a grader you only use three or four times a year. No business alive can spend money it do not have (as you have done) you needed to raise the money first then replace equipment if necessary. If the roads get any worse I will consider a lawsuit for malfeasance. Thanks.”
*HOA response to clarify for all: Thanks for your feedback. First, the grader is used far more than your inaccurate estimate of three to four times a year, so we’re not sure where you got this number, especially given how many times work reports have been posted online and in newsletters and in monthly board meeting minutes. Heck, we even share the operator logs on our website under THE RECEIPTS. To correct this first inaccuracy, last year alone, grading in our community was done 16 times for a total of 116 HOURS, 30 of which were generously donated, as we’re always working deals to stretch every single dollar spent on maintaining this beautiful community. Also, regarding inaccurate estimates, we are equally unsure where you got your estimate of $15K to fix the 1974 grader that was never big enough or heavy enough to service such a large community with nearly 60 lane miles of road but they did the best they could with that purchase back in the late 90’s when there was no surplus, and it’s taken many years for many boards to save up for this moment that was inevitable, and no longer possible to put off, despite a great effort to do so. The grader was 50 years old and cost all of us as a community thousands a year not only in repairs because it was being pushed beyond the brink of its abilities and literally broke down every time it was used, which then cost us even more in loss of operator time, and good weather days to repair + maintain our roads. Using an unfit grader for such an excessive scope of work also resulted in the frequent replacement of parts, which were increasingly not just difficult but near impossible to find resulting in hours of searching by unpaid volunteers who could have dedicated those hours on more impactful work. The price for those VINTAGE PARTS cost us far more than newer parts would have and were USED, excessively so, being 50 years old. It was neither affordable nor logical to continue using the 1974 grader. It did not have another season in it. Ask anyone who worked on the road crew in the last three years. The new-to-us grader was an emergency purchase, and by nature, emergencies dictate quick and decisive action, and please note that there’s also a rule in the CC&Rs that requires we own and MAINTAIN working equipment. So, when we finally found a grader that was not only specific preferred make + model but the newest within the exact range of years before more computerization was added to keep the price of maintenance down, and in a state nearby for transportation, which was secured for COST, and where there were no taxes, we had to jump on it immediately, and for the long-term benefit of Spirit Lake East. If you or anyone else in the community would like to learn more about the emergency purchase of our grader (specifically what a surplus in savings over many years was for, which we’re already rebuilding, thanks to less spending on expenses we’re no longer incurring such as full-time road management positions and 50 year-old grader parts and lost days paying our operators to limp back to the shop and work on troubleshooting equipment rather than maintaining our roads during limited fair weather days, and ability to focus our also limited budget on accomplishing actual work, and paying for better materials while also continuing to negotiate deals, etc., see the below link: https://www.spiritlakeeast.org/grader
NO, Option 1 (No Increase):
“…..[We] have lived in SLE for 22 years now. I am very aware of the sad condition. Our roads have always been in; there have been a couple years that were better than others. I do have a degree in civil engineering so I am not just talking out of the side of my head in my statements below.
It is my opinion that you can throw all the $$$ in the world at the sensitive 27 miles of dirt roads and it will not help the condition at all; short of pavement. The vehicle loading is far too great now. It is also my opinion that until the HOA enforces the speed limit of 15 mph, enforce this EMR’s regarding the no use of motorcycles, four wheelers, quads, and snowmobiles on these private sensitive dirt roads plus adding to the dust and noise pollution. I have no desire to dip deeper into my wallet to pay for road repair, especially when I drive in/out as if the roads and my vehicles are made out of glass. Pretty much every time our roads get some TLC the motorcycles, four wheelers and quads, kick it up a notch or two just for their own selfish entertainment. I constantly see donuts marks on Liberty and priest, river and tracks writing over the banks/shoulders. I see parents on their four wheelers/quads with their kids in to teaching our next generation. It’s OK to ignore the speed limits, posted signage disallowing O RVs, creating unnecessary dust and noise pollution. Ensure the vehicle loading on these sensitive dirt road is way too excessive and abusive.
In the past few years, more and more online shoppers are generating daily volumes of large UPS, FedEx and third-party delivery trucks that are not only that not only exceed the posted 15 mph signs but drive full steam ahead not even attempting to dodge potholes. This behavior exasperates the whole issue. I have even talked to some of the driver; their response to something like, ‘hey it’s not my truck and don’t care.’
I also feel that when the snow/ice is allowed to accumulate and build up throughout the winter season it creates a condition for an ugly spring break up. I do not see any efforts from the road committee to jump on a winter storm event before the daily traffic packs down the overburden into heart ice. Once packed into ice, it’s too late for any equipment to scrape off and clear. This overburden, then melts, fills the potholes and the traffic and deepens and widen these potholes. Just the other day attempts for the greater to fix the potholes on Priest River Dr. the operator efforts didn’t have any positive effect, he just left a few great marks. Half the time priest river Dr. rarely gets any attention at all, so why should I pay more for nothing.
We two are on a fixed budget, Jim state water rates, literally double overnight and two must manage inflation on a fixed budget, so until I see the HOA enforce some of the issues stated above, I have no desire to HOA by throwing more $$$ at the problem. In summation, I plan to vote for a no increase in HOA dues.”
NO, Option 1 (No Increase):
“Dear HOA team members, thank you for the opportunity to respond and offer our option as to the future fiscal health of Spirit Lake East community. Your non-binding poll limited the choices we have to select for our response. “Option 1 - No Increase” is our choice from the four you offered, but we have an alternative option that we believe should be seriously considered before the next community meeting.
We would like to see the annual dues be changed for future residents and/or future land owners. Their base would be raised to $800 per year, applied to and for any property closing escrow after let’s say, July 4, 2026. These newest residents and property owners under full required disclosure, presumably would have no issue with that established fee. The existing 3% annual increase to cover inflation with still continue to apply to all members.
A new incentive could be given to the new residents who are under the new fee structure, should they voluntarily pay to have a section of any road adjacent to their property treated for dust abatement during the dry season.
One might also want to debate a sliding scale dues schedule based on a resident’s impact to our roads. Those further in who drive longer distances to the entrances, who use more road surface should pay much more for the road maintenance than does a resident living close to the entrances. The future HOA must rely less on volunteers, it must plan to cover future needs by hiring outside help.”
*HOA response to clarify for all: Thanks for your thoughtful remarks. They are especially appreciated given the amount of time you’ve been in the community. This goes for all long-timers who’ve submitted feedback. Your input is essential. While we’d all love to pass any increases onto new residents only, it would be unfair to put that solely onto them, nor could we with regard to our CC&Rs. HOA dues are an equally-shared burden in all communities. There’s no sliding scale. Even if such a measure were to pass, it’d be highly questionable (and leave our association legally vulnerable) given the only (potential) residents impacted would be unable to participate in the decision-making process. This leads us to the most important issue with this proposition: Who would buy in SLE if they saw the new dues in the real estate listings and especially when they learn from agents that the price is only for new buyers? This would not only discourage buying here but could also potentially lead to lawsuits from existing residents looking to sell their homes who may find that $800+ dues designated only for newbies both hurts their prospects and causes buyers to feel unwelcome. We are neighbors. We must all share the HOA burden. Many of us are retired and on fixed incomes, yet we all must pay the same property taxes, including for schools, even when we have no kids or they’re grown. But thanks for your input!
END OF COMMENTS & THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION!
