10/23/2026
An Open Letter to Lake Dale POA Members
Fairness, Shared Responsibility, and the Future of Our Community
Dear Lake Dale POA Members,
I wanted to take this opportunity to reach out to our community regarding some important issues and proposals that affect all of us. After attending the most recent POA meeting, I feel it is important to share a perspective that I believe deserves more consideration, particularly among our off-lake residents.
I recognize that not everyone will agree with my position, and that is perfectly fine. We are a community of people with different perspectives, investments, and priorities. However, I believe we should be able to have an honest, respectful conversation about fairness and how we share the financial responsibilities of maintaining Lake Dale.
For some time, I have felt that there is a significant difference between the benefits enjoyed by on-lake residents and those available to residents who live off the lake. I also want to acknowledge that there are board members who have listened to these concerns and advocated for off-lake residents. Their willingness to consider a different approach is appreciated.
The Difference in Benefits
Currently, all POA members pay the same annual assessment of $225, regardless of where their property is located within the community.
That means an off-lake resident pays the same amount as someone whose property directly borders the lake, enjoys a lake view from their backyard, has a private pier or dock, and can conveniently access the water for boating, fishing, and other recreational activities.
Some lakeside properties represent substantial investments, with homes valued at $500,000 to $1 million or more. Certain owners may also choose to rent their properties to vacationers, potentially generating thousands of dollars per week while offering guests direct access to the lake.
There is nothing wrong with enjoying the benefits of a lakeside property or making the most of that investment. However, it is reasonable to recognize that these conveniences are not shared equally by all POA members.
Off-lake residents may appreciate the community's overall environment and the positive effect the lake has on property values. We also understand the importance of maintaining the lake and its surrounding amenities. But we do not have the same direct access, personal enjoyment, or property-specific conveniences that come with living on the water.
We share a community, but we do not all receive the same benefits from it.
The Proposed Changes
At the most recent meeting, a proposal was discussed that would help address the financial needs of maintaining the lake and its amenities. Rather than increasing the annual assessment for everyone, the proposal would introduce a $300 mooring fee for lakeside residents with docks or piers and increase boat sticker fees.
The community will have an opportunity to vote on this proposal at the November 16 meeting.
From my perspective as an off-lake resident, this proposal represents a reasonable step toward a more balanced approach. It maintains the existing annual assessment while asking those who have additional lake-related conveniences to contribute more toward the costs associated with them.
The lake requires ongoing maintenance, and repairs are inevitable with a man-made lake. If annual assessments are barely covering the community's needs, we must consider practical and fair ways to ensure the lake remains an asset for years to come.
This is not about penalizing lakeside residents. It is about recognizing that certain amenities and privileges come with additional benefits, and that a reasonable contribution toward their upkeep makes sense.
Why This Matters to Off-Lake Residents
During the recent meeting, concerns were raised about the fairness of charging an additional fee specifically to lakeside residents. I also heard comments suggesting that people who cannot afford the additional costs of lakeside living should not choose to live there, as well as the argument that off-lake residents chose to live in a lake community and should therefore contribute equally.
I understand that everyone has their own perspective. However, I believe these comments highlight precisely why this conversation is necessary.
Off-lake residents also chose to live in Lake Dale. We pay our assessments, support the community, and recognize the importance of maintaining our shared surroundings. We are not asking to be excused from our responsibilities. We are asking that the differences in benefits and access be acknowledged when decisions about funding are made.
Likewise, when an issue directly affects a lakeside property, such as algae encountered while using a private pier, it is understandable that the owner wants the problem addressed. But it is also fair to ask whether every lake-related expense should be shared equally, regardless of who has direct access to or receives the greatest personal benefit from that amenity.
Of course, the lake's condition affects the broader community, and we all have a stake in preserving it. The question is how we distribute the financial responsibility fairly while protecting the interests of the entire POA.
A Call for Participation and Fairness
I encourage every off-lake resident to become involved, attend the November 23 meeting, and make your voice heard by voting.
If you believe the current proposal is a reasonable way to distribute costs more fairly, please vote YES.
I also encourage lakeside residents to consider supporting this proposal. Paying an additional fee does not diminish the value of your property or your enjoyment of the lake. Instead, it recognizes that direct lake access, private docks and piers, and other lake-related conveniences provide benefits that off-lake residents simply do not enjoy in the same way.
We all want Lake Dale to remain a desirable, well-maintained community. We all want our property values protected. And we all want the lake to be there for future generations.
But being part of the same community does not mean that every property benefits equally from every amenity. Fairness sometimes means recognizing those differences and adjusting how we contribute accordingly.
I am not asking for division between on-lake and off-lake residents. I am asking for understanding, consideration, and a willingness to look at this issue from perspectives beyond our own.
We are all members of Lake Dale, but fairness means acknowledging that our benefits are not identical and that our financial contributions should reasonably reflect that reality.
Please take the time to attend, participate, and vote on November 23. The decisions we make today will help shape the future of our community.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and consider another perspective. I hope we can approach this issue with open minds, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to doing what is right for Lake Dale as a whole.
Sincerely,
A Concerned Lake Dale POA Member
