The Minutes
SLE HOA BOARD MEETING
Date: Aug 12, 2026
Location: Cup of Grace
Board Members in Attendance: David Petersen (President), Brendan Mills (Treasurer), and James Stover + Bryan Pettit (Members at Large), Tisha Dore (Secretary, by phone)
Quorum: YES
Call to Order: 6:05pm
Minutes from the last meeting: Accepted (Motioned by: Brendan Mills, Seconded by: James Stover)
Treasurer’s Report:
Current in checking account: $ 12,057.74
Current in savings account: $ 32,222.99
Current in petty cash account: $ 201.00
Total in bank accounts: $ 44,481.73
We've collected most of the 2026 dues. Total owed by the community is: $8,621.90
******************** REMINDER: The 2026 dues are $273.17 (22.76/mo) ********************
The credit card payment option is turned off. The 35+ homeowners still owing dues may pay by check or money order. If you don’t have checks, you can transfer the money from your account to the HOA’s at First Interstate Bank in Spirit Lake. Walmart in CDA processes money orders for just $1.
We are now well beyond the six-month mark of when 2026 dues were due and 30+ owners still owe dues (in-full or partial). The collections process is starting now and max interest will only continue to accrue. First round calls/emails are going out, so our community can avoid the expense of mailers where possible.
When purchasing a home here in Spirit Lake East, we all agreed to pay annual HOA dues for time-sensitive road/equipment maintenance + insurance costs, among other expenses to run our small, rural HOA. These costs remain low thanks to generously-donated time by an all-volunteer board and committee members.
If you are still owing dues from the previous year when the next year’s dues are owed, a lien will be placed.
The 2025 Audit is live online, thanks to bookkeeper volunteer, Elisika Ambler. You can find it with the latest financial reports + 2026 receipts at: www.spiritlakeeast.org/financial-reports. THANKS, ELISIKA!
As mentioned previously, we are working with a new accountant, Reliable Accounting. Previous provider, Straight Arrow Tax & Accounting, completed our 2025 tax return, concluding responsibilities for SLEHA.
Behind on your dues? Send payment ASAP or contact Brendan Mills, at treasurer@spiritlakeeast.org. For more info on payments + donations (including mailing address): www.spiritlakeeast.org/payordonate
Motion to accept Treasurer Report by: Bryan Pettit
Motion Seconded by: Tisha Dore
Roads Report:
The roads are dry with hot weather + little rain recently, and it’s our crew’s busiest time of year. They’re doing their best to grade the last of the roads as scheduling is possible before fall road projects begin including the distribution of more asphalt grindings, the first of which held up great, for the most part.
As noted last month, we had a few potholes open up from rain in June, but they’re minor, to be expected. However, increased speeds are the #1 reason we’re seeing other areas come apart, most notably at the end of the S curve on CDA Drive where drivers speed through + break hard before exiting SLE on Hwy 54.
Please SLOW DOWN. Please talk to your kids and renters. Reminder: This is a rural community with unpaved roads and wildlife. Keeping your speed at 15mph preserves our roads and keeps everyone safe. If you’re operating side-by-sides in this community, they’re unfortunately allowed to the frustration of many residents, especially during summer time when we have many non-residents in the area. If you do live here, please NO DONUTS at the intersections. This just costs us all more money for repairs.
Talks with the Hwy 54 contractor continue in prep for a fall asphalt project as grindings are available. We’ve heard from some owners asking where more asphalt grindings will go and the answer is the areas where the highest-traffic occurs coming in and out of SLE, for the benefit of all who live here. We’ve had some requests to purchase grindings for roads alongside donor’s homes. We are open to this, and will distribute materials in those areas and grade/roll for free, if you pay for a truckload. Stay tuned on price!
REMINDER: Fundraising continues to cover hours/materials needed to continue our long-term improvement project of rebuilding the crown in our roads + distributing/rolling more asphalt grindings. We're also looking for a new-to-us roller. None of those items are covered by our annual HOA budget.
We are asking for your help. Please consider donating for above-and-beyond work + materials and roller rentals that aren’t part of our existing budget for usual maintenance + repairs. Donations—big or small—are welcome. THANKS! Mail checks to: SLE HOA – P.O. Box 217, Spirit Lake, ID 83869 *Memo: Road Fund
Email Q’s to roads@spiritlakeeast.org. For roads form for reporting issues: www.spiritlakeeast.org/roads
Motion to Accept the Roads Report: Brendan Mills
Motion Seconded by: James Stover
Architecture Report
A homeowner asked to subdivide their SLE property and the answer is no, that’s against the CC&Rs. Other than that, we have no new builds. Have building plans (or Q’s to prep)? Email ARC Chair, James Stover, at arc@spiritlakeeast.org. For info + Architectural Form for approvals: www.spiritlakeeast.org/building-info
Motion to accept ARC Report by: Bryan Pettit
Motion Seconded by: Brendan Mills
Timber Report
Clearing trees during fire season is not recommended. Using chainsaws in a dry time can cause sparks/fire. However, if a tree falls and must be cut now because it’s blocking or hazardous, please take precautions. Cut on a cooler/damp morning and have water, fire extinguisher ready. Wait until fall, if possible. Be safe.
Email timber/logging questions to VP, Gus Ferguson, at timber@spiritlakeeast.org. For links to the Commercial Logging + Timber Exemption Forms, visit: www.spiritlakeeast.org/timber
Motion to accept Timber Report by: Brendan Mills
Motion Seconded by: James Stover
Welcome Report:
If you’re new to Spirit Lake East, Welcome! If you haven’t yet registered as a new owner here or been living here for years but your contact info has changed, please register (or re-register!) with us online. Questions? Contact Tisha Dore at welcome@spiritlakeeast.org. Newbies who’ve yet to register for HOA billing/mailings (or if you have a new email), fill-out the form here: www.spiritlakeeast.org/new-residents.
Motion to Accept Welcome Report: James Stover
Motion Seconded by: Bryan Pettit
Old Business:
Signs – Install of new signs in need of repair/replacement and remaining sign updates at the entrances (consolidating + no soliciting) is on hold until after Hwy 54 construction is complete. No new updates.
Intermax – Take advantage of the grant while it lasts. FREE TRENCHING up your very long driveway will add value to your home. Services: $80, $100, $130/mo (208-676-0471 or intermaxnetworks.com/fiber).
Summer Newsletter: Latest edition in the works (Local Events, Fire Safety, Updated Map, Hwy 54 Update). Apologies, the summer issue is usually out in July, but it’s delayed due to family health, necessary travel. For now, here’s another reminder of safety tips shared by Spirit Lake Fire Dept at our May semi-annual meeting + minutes including PRINTABLE PDF: https://tinyurl.com/PrepYourHome4FireSeason
IMPORTANT LAST REMINDER: Given the newsletter is posted on FB, NextDoor, website + email, we will no longer be mailing newsletters to those who have not provided an email and can find it on our website. It’s also difficult to email PDFs without tripping a spam alert, so we’ll just email the link to download. Please send updated emails (or newsletter entries for consideration) to: newsletter@spiritlakeeast.org.
Newsletters & Ad Info: www.spiritlakeeast.org/newsletters
DOT Letter – A compliance group has been recently requiring SLE to be DOT certified. However, the program is responsible for compliance of public roads management and our roads here in SLE are private. The Board agrees that if DOT compliance is not necessary. David cancelled it, this is just a last reminder. Also, David called our insurance company to confirm plowing requires a CDL.
Motion to Accept Old Business: Brendan Mills
Motion Seconded by: James Stover
New Business:
Shooting – Complaints continue, so last reminder: Farragut Range (shooting + archery) is close and open more often during seasonal hours, Fri-Mon, 9am- 4pm. The single fee ($10 per adult + $5 for under 18) includes the all-inclusive use of the rifle, handgun and archery ranges as well as trap stations. For more info + location visit: https://idfg.idaho.gov/shoot/farragut
Motion to Accept New Business: James Stover
Motion Seconded by: Brendan Mills
- Motion to adjourn by: Brendan Mills
Motion Seconded by: Bryan Pettit
- Meeting was adjourned at: 6:30pm
