Talking about Sun City Anthem
Association Employee Salaries
Association Employee Salaries
It goes without saying, the incomes of various Sun City Anthem employees has come under scrutiny...
...by those in the community dedicated to RESPONSIBLE SPENDING !
And...it should be...it's YOUR MONEY !
We all know that the incumbents running in the 2018 Board election have done everything in their power to avoid justifying those incomes. After all, they authorized them.
In addition we have a candidate running for the Sun City Anthem Board who made this statement regarding her obviously believing that income was justified.
Stated candidate Candice Karrow:
"Ms. Seddon's salary is costing each rooftop $35 a year. She costs you the same as dinner out or a few minutes at a slot machine. I would rather have a general manager/CAM who has allegiance to the Association than one who reports to and answers to a corporate office downtown. We paid the management company fees for a less efficient and less transparent operation".
That "simplistic" answer was one we have heard before, and if taken at face value, may indeed be true...
But...that if one delves a bit more carefully into the FULL STORY...
... is perhaps one of the most deceptive and short sided statements...especially from a person who claims to have an MBA and worked for large corporations in the past.
We are NOT targeting Mrs. Karrow, and we would be more than happy to hear the views of candidates Gary Lee and Cliff Wigen.
Actually, we have asked for Karrow clarification of some of her views; but to date, none have been provided.
Incumbents Burch, and Waterhouse as well as appointed director Coleman justify these income amounts. It's obvious by their past voting records.
Let's not forget that Mrs. Seddon controls the salaries of all Sun City Anthem employees and that the budget for 2018 called for a 3% in funds for salary increases.
Let's make sure you fully understand significance of that 3% increase.
It is a GROSS AMOUNT, which in 2018, will increase association costs approximately $105,000 to unit owners.
In addition, it is at the discretion of the General Manager who gets what...it is NOT an across the Board raise for all employees.
The US inflation rate for 2017 was 2.1%.
Social security retirement benefits increased 2.0% in January, 2018.
At first glance, that might be interpreted as a modest difference between 2% an 3%; however, in reality, a Sun City Anthem employee's increase receiving the full 3%, is 33% higher than those living on a fixed social security benefit, and approximately 30% higher than the US inflation rate.
That is NOT merely a Cost of Living increase.
That was also an INCOME INCREASE.
Benefit percentages increased as well, far in excess of the 3% amount...
...and when added to the additional salary benefits, project a total of a $423,000 increase in 2018.
That brought scrutiny from those who STUDY MONEY as to the TOTALS expended by Sun City Anthem..
...and...the likely impending impact on association assessments to unit owners.
A year ago when a request for employee payroll compensation was made, it was granted.
It was at that time learned that our "overworked" General Manager would initially be paid $250,000 per year as a BASE salary...receiving a $20,000 additional bonus plus benefits.
In late 2017, the same request was made for 2017 payroll figures after it was being rumored that an additional raise and bonus was in the till for our GM.
That request, which according to NRS regulations, is to be provided to any resident requesting such information:
Here's the law:
Pursuant to...
NRS 116.31175 (4a)
...you, as a property owner, have the right to review any records relating to the number of hours worked and the salaries and benefits of employees of an HOA upon written request.
...and there is NOTHING IN THE LAW that states you cannot share that information.
So, in complying with this law....in order to update our reporting to you, a resident made such a request recently.
Result:
by the Association attorney
Let's just say....
It's the law and perhaps our "overworked" and "underpaid" General Manager might do some individual research and provide the community a reason as to WHY THE LAW APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN IGNORED....and...perhaps READ THAT LAW herself, without having to call a henchman for an expensive answer that would, in our opinion, serve her purpose....STONEWALLING the TRUTH.
But...there is more !
It is well known that the income of our General Manager exceeds that our our Summerlin counterpart by leaps and bounds...by in excess of $100,000 !
The Board REFUSES to state what the current General Manager's income current total is, nor will they state if any bonus was recently paid.
That...subsequently brought the MEDIA into the Sun City Anthem picture, making an attempt to REPORT the EXORBITANT sums being paid.
The result...
Sun City Anthem management REFUSED to be interviewed.
Now...
Ask yourself...
If the incomes according to LAW are supposed to be available to any unit owner...
...were provided in early 2017....
...denied in early 2018...
Yet seem to be justified by both incumbents in addition to candidate, Candice Karrow...
WHY were they denied recently ????
Or...is this merely a "machine" in action withholding information in order to continue their uncontrolled spending habits ?
One would think that if they would feel more than justified in both approving incomes and granting such increases, they would have no problem divulging them.
Or...could it be that by withholding that information, they are avoiding the embarrassment of the amounts?
What say you?
Can any person come forth and defend withholding income figures the LAW demands their being available?
Is it time for a community to finally comprehend that such leadership is a "political machine" whose actions have resulted in adversely affecting in the financial security of an association?
Finally, add this to a proposed ANNUAL unit owner subsidy of $85,000 for a restaurant (which will undoubtedly increase each year)...
And ...I can assure all of you...
Annual Dues increases are the only alternative to financial irresponsibility.
How else can they be maintained ???
How else can they be maintained ???
We suggest you keep this in mind when you cast a ballot in the 2018 Sun City Anthem Board election.
Got a comment?
Send it to us at:
March 15, 2018 at 4:27 PM
- From Peter Hudson...to...Anthem Opinions
I truly appreciate candidate Candice Karrow comment towards having a dedicated manager for the mere rooftop cost of $35.00 in comparison to either paying for dinner or playing a few minutes at a slot machine.
Fortunately my wife I like to eat and not gamble as well.
I also understand the responsibility our Board of Directors have in putting together an exceptional budget that is truthful and understandable by all.
There should never be any disrespect shown to and or by anyone who might like an answer to any part of our budget if done in a civil manner.
But when our Board or a candidate wants to compare parts of our budget to rooftops and then justify it by either paying for dinner or playing the slots at $35.00 a pop, before you know it, those $35.00 begin to really add up.
Is this or will this be the new logic going forward and become the norm towards any additional expenses in the future?
You also stated in your column the possibility of a yearly $85,000 contribution going towards having a restaurant on site. This mere $85,000 to start base off same rooftop logic -/-7,100 equals another $11.97 onto each.
My last question, will these two items be paid for based off rooftops or per home square footprint? -
Peter, that has been the logic for years....an attempt to minimize the total by dividing the cost by the number of homes.
It's a sales pitch that has been used for years.
The projected amount will be per rooftop.
An Article on her blog, SCA Strong, that should be read by all residents of Sun CIty Anthem.
The board and their followers justify all expenditures by this mathematical system; divide by 7,144 and it diminishes in size. Thus it is a mere pittance and must be a fiduciary sound decision.