On the Agenda: MVF Budget and Garage-Door Replacements

Kicking off this year's round of budget talks is at the top of the Montgomery Village Foundation’s to-do list for its board of directors meeting tonight.

Fresh off their annual retreat, the board is ready to launch into a five-month process that will culminate in a budget that will take effect Jan. 1—and the size of resident assessment fees that will be needed to sustain it.

The larger debate will come down to two initiatives: Raising the cap on resident assessment fees, and approval of a "capital contribution fee" -- a charge on every transfer of residential and rental property. Both measures will require a vote by specially appointed representatives of each Montgomery Village community

Per the foundation's $7.8 million budget for 2011, all homeowners pay $246 per year in assessment fees, while those who are "designated users" of the Village's pools and other amenities pay an additional $295.

The schedule:

• Tonight’s board meeting will rehash the board's discussions at its retreat, particularly on capital projects.
• Tuesday: Audit committee meeting, 7 p.m. at Whetstone Community Center.
• June 13: MVF staff will meet to discuss personnel structure
• June 23 board meeting: Look at requests for 2012 draft budget, present a long-range capital plan and reintroduce the property transfer fee.
• July 12: Stedwick Community Center, 7:30pm. Work session with community representatives. Budget assumptions will be discussed, as well as a capital plan and five-year goal for the assessment ceiling.
• August 11 board meeting: Held jointly with audit committee. Draft budget will be presented for the board’s vote. Once approved, set a date for publication. That will allow MVF to call for a September vote on the transfer fee.
• Aug. 19: Proposed budget will be published in the Village News. This initiates the state-mandated public comment period.
• Sept. 19: Meeting with community representatives. Discuss long-range capital and operating plans. Vote on raising the assessment ceiling. Vote on the transfer fee.
• Public comment on the budget is encouraged for the Aug. 25 and Sept. 22 board meetings.
• Oct. 27 board meeting: Adopt the 2012 budget and set assessment rates.

Another issue will be whether the foundation approves a "capital contribution fee" -- a charge on every transfer of residential and rental property.