IN THIS ISSUE: Annual Meeting and Ballots 2014 Budget Update Call for Volunteers Halloween Update Vuecrest Monthly Board Meeting Annual Meeting and Ballots A reminder that our 2013 Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, November 14 at 7:00 p.m., in Pearson Hall at Grace Lutheran Church, on the other side of NE 8th St, opposite Vuecrest. We will present a review of this year, vote on the proposed budget for next year, as well as hold elections for two of the Director positions. In addition, representatives from the City of Bellevue Planning & Community Development will present information on the ongoing Downtown Livability initiative. By now, all property owners should have received their ballots. Please contact secretary@vuecrest.net if you have not received yours yet. A limited number of replacement ballots will be available at the meeting as well. 2014 Budget Update For the year 2013 our Insurance Policy was estimated with an annual expense of $3,150. The actual annual costs are $4,565. For the 2014, the treasurer continued to use the 2013 budgeted annual amount of $3,150. This was a mistake, and the annual insurance cost is now known to be approximately $5,000. In 2014 any overspend in operating budget will covered through reductions in reserve contributions. The 2013 budget was based on an annual reserve contribution of $20,808, which did not match the target contribution of $27,744 from the Reserve Study. The 2013 annual assessment was calculated on the lower, incorrect contribution. 2013 property assessments should have been $340 instead of $320. The incorrect assessment resulted in a budget shortfall for 2013. Total revenue are estimated at $3,700 short of the total spend. Our management firm, EMB received the proper instructions and has been transferring $2,312 a month to the reserve accounts. Left unchanged EMB would transfer $27,744 from the operating budget to the reserve account. To reconcile the shortage of revenue against planned for the year 2013 the board has passed a motion to reduce reserve contributions in November and December by $3,700. This motion will reduce reserve contributions and constrain total spending to match revenue for the year 2013. Call for Volunteers The board is looking for a volunteer to write our monthly newsletter and help with other board communications tasks. We also are looking for a new Safety committee chair. If you are interested, please email directors@vuecrest.net. Halloween Update Many neighbors have reported that this was our most heavily attended Halloween ever. One neighbor on Vineyard Crest ran out of candy before 8pm after visits from 350 kids. Let us know if you were counting and beat this number. Thanks again to Aleta Taylor for creating and setting up the signs that encouraged visitors to park their cars rather than drive alongside their kids. With all of the families out walking, fewer vehicles made a big difference. Vuecrest Monthly Board Meeting Please join us at the next Board Meeting on Thursday, December 7 [7:00 - 9:00 p.m.] at the home of Jonathan and Laura Kagle, 9342 Vineyard Crest.