IMPORTANT UPDATE:
At our community meeting, Saturday, June 22nd 2024, the board addressed the issue of raising of dues with the community.
We had a total of 44 properties represented at the meeting, with a vote of 36 For, and 3 Against.
The community voted YES to raise dues to $200 per month.
This due increase was implemented this year June 2024. Key reasons this increase was critical for the community include:
Basic rising cost of water, from $26,000 for FY2023, to over $75,000 for FY2024
The cost of continued and regular repairs needed for a struggling water infrastructure in Forest Springs, leak repairs and trucking in water when there are outages
Historically low dues that were not assessed regularly to match rising costs of community roads and water needs
The increase in dues is what was needed to keep FSIMA running, and keep our residents with water. We are required by the state of CA to have a viable business providing water to our community.
To try and lessen the burden, we implemented a monthly payment plan for members, of $200.00 per month. Community members are welcome to continue to pay annually, $2400.00.
Dues
Our hearts go out to our small community and the 42 families’ homes that were destroyed in the CZU Lightning fire.
All our Forest Springs homes have been touched in some way. We continue to suffer the effects of the devastation. For example, every aspect of our Forest Springs water company was severely damaged in the fire – the pipes, the reservoirs. There is also the subsequent and ongoing damage to the roads.
All Forest Springs homeowners are required to pay the annual FSIMA dues.
As a reminder, the Forest Springs Improvement and Maintenance Association (FSIMA) is a Corporation and neither a Public Utility nor a Home Owners Association. A Corporation is defined as “a company or group of people authorized to act as a single entity (legally a person) and recognized as such in law”. Forest Springs Corporation and Bylaws are registered with the State of California.
Every Forest Springs household is a member of the corporation and therefore there is the responsibility to help rebuild. Membership fees are critical for the Forest Springs community. The fees pay for your water access and usage and will also help ensure the rebuilding of the water system to comply with current codes. The fees also cover road and pool maintenance.
The FSIMA annual dues are responsible for providing the infrastructure needed for the shareholders to access water, roads, and the community pool. The volunteer board of directors (per our bylaws) manages that infrastructure and is not paid for those services.
The FSIMA board is working to rebuild a safe and secure water distribution system by securing grants and low-interest loans as well as using funds collected through the annual FSIMA dues and some insurance money covering the damage to the reservoir structures.
To qualify for low interest loans to pay for the new water system, our Forest Springs community must ALL come together and pay our dues. To potential lenders, non-payment of dues can impair our ability to receive grants and low interest loans to pay for these necessary improvements.
As a member of the Forest Springs community, you play an important role.