Deer Springs Ranch Member, we need to hear from YOU!
During the last year, the DSROA Board has been working on various plans to update the Ranch House and its associated infrastructure.
A big step toward this goal was taken a few months ago when the Ranch acquired a solar electric system capable of meeting the Ranch HQ's power needs. After a few "settling in" issues, the system is up and running. It is a vast improvement over the old "spit and baling wire" solar system and should provide many years of service.
We must now proceed to improvements on the Ranch House itself. This will be in the form of a new small ranch house near the existing one, where the old climbing wall is. After reviewing all the costs, we have decided that the quickest and least expensive way to do this is to build new. This will also allow us to put in energy efficient systems and reduce operating costs. Saving money on this project is top in our minds, but we also want to build a durable structure that will stand the test of time. This house will be a simple, 1276 sq ft. 1 story pre-panelized log-sided home with some whole log elements and a porch on a basement. We can have the shell built on a concrete basement foundation in a couple weeks. Our ranch manager, any member volunteers, and other contractors, as needed, will finish the interior to keep costs down. We are looking at Whisper Creek log homes:
http://www.whispercreekloghomes.com/floorplan_sundance.html
the Sundance model on a basement.
The Ranch House, while quaint and picturesque, is simply NOT up to the task of providing year-round living quarters for a Ranch Manager couple. If the Ranch Manager has a family, it's shortcomings are only magnified.
In 2005, a very qualified couple interested in being our Ranch Managers turned us down- one of the reasons was the Ranch House.
The days of someone just "toughing it out" under the close to Third-World conditions imposed by living full time at the Ranch House are gone. Our Manager – ANY Manager- needs and should expect a decent place to live.
To this end, the Board has been formulating several approaches to funding the Ranch House improvements.
1. Exemption to the Bylaws to allow a one-time increase in the loan amount for this project only - loan amount $150K to build a new ranch house near the old one. We would take out a traditional mortgage and pay for it out of the regular budget. Some regular budget items will likely have to be reduced to pay for it.
2. One time special assessment (approx. $500.00 per lot)
3. 50% loan (Mortgage of $75K) 50% special assessment (approx. $250.00 per lot)
At this point that we need Member Input on what direction to take as all of the above options will require a vote by the Membership for approval.
In the past, lacking much input from the Membership, other projects and issues were started, only to find out that they did not have the necessary support. This is hugely wasteful of both time, energy, and sometimes money, as you would at some point either have to abandon the project entirely, or back up and start over under new conditions
that have the Membership's approval.
We can't go through this scenario again. We have, in our current Ranch Manager, Ole Lindgren, the perfect mix of skills to run the Ranch. We can't afford to let him get away.
A Special Election will need to be called to decide this matter. It would help matters greatly if the Board had some idea what options had the most likely chance of passage and concentrate on those options.
So, we NEED to hear from YOU. Let us know what you could live with.
And, if you have an idea not already on the list, we want to hear about it. Suggestions will be gratefully accepted.
When considering your response, remember this:
Doing NOTHING is not an option.
We have already had one potential Ranch Manager decline the job due to the living conditions. We don't really know if it figured in to others potential candidates’ decisions - this is the only one we actually know about.
Think about it this way - would YOU want to be snowed in at the Ranch House for a week (it can happen!), with its infamous un-insulated north wall? Put yourself in that position and think it over.
Help the Ranch move forward with a Manager who is happy to stay, year after year, because they did just fine until the snow melted, and instead WON'T be looking to leave as soon as it does.
Please let us know what you think by sending a quick note to the Board at DSROA, P.O. Box 254, Kanab, UT, 84741, calling (435) 644-3007, or sending an email to DSRfunding@gmail.com by January 15, 2008. If you wish to respond in person, you can do so at the next Board meeting on January 19, 2008. Please check the deersprings.org website for the meeting time & location.
Thanks!
The DSROA Board
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