HI Commissioners review changes to activity cards

HOLIDAY ISLAND -- Commissioners were generally happy with changes to the activity card program in Amendment #14 of Reg. 26-2002 for use of Holiday Island amenities at Monday's suburban improvement district work session. But there is a 67 percent increase to some users, which Chairman Ken Mills said may drive people away from purchasing cards.

At its September business meeting, the Board of Commissioners voted to eliminate the all-inclusive user cards for golf and recreation and to separate charges for the two.

Under the new proposal, a golf access family card, which includes a property owner and all dependent members of the household, will cost $525 per household.

Previously the full access family card was $450.

"The same thing I got last year is now going to cost me $300 more," Mills said. "I think you'll lose a lot of participation."

The proposal includes a golf access individual card for $350 per person; a recreation access family card for $125 per household, a recreation access individual card for $75 per person, and a recreation access extended family card for $225 per household.

Alternative options, for property owners and their dependent household members who play less golf or use the Rec Center less frequently, are a property owner punch golf card for $120 that provides 10 18-hole rounds or 20 9-hole rounds, a recreation punch card for $40 that provides 14 days of access and a family golf discount card for $100 that provides 5 18-hole rounds or 10 9-hole rounds to extended family members.

Commissioner Bruce Larson asked that this last card include "accompanied guests."

District Manager Kevin Crosson said the intent of the changes was to close a "loophole" in which some people were paying nothing to use the facilities.

"Who it will impact is those who bring a lot of extended family down here for a period of time," Crosson said. "The focus needs to be on assuring that those who use the facilities pay for it. We have to do everything we can to lessen the impact on assessments and non-resident property owners."

Daily use fees may also go up for golf and recreation but not for the driving range.

The amendment also addresses rental facility fees and tightening up who pays what.

"We have seen a growing trend of property owners reserving spaces for outside groups and organizations," Crosson said.

As an example, he said, "If a Eureka Springs singing group wants to do a performance at Holiday Island, they should pay a user fee and a cleaning deposit rather than a property owner group making a reservation for a non-property owner group."

Staff also noted that some property owners have reserved the Barn for acquaintances who want to have a wedding reception and not pay full rental price for the space.

"It's unfortunate we have to have all these rules," Crosson said. "I understand this is a very sensitive issue."

Commissioners discussed how to differentiate between a social and a service organization and how to delineate between a paid instructor whose teaching benefits a club or guild and a commercial presenter or seller.

The amendment includes proposed increases for rental fees for individual property owners and non-property owners and increasing the minimum rental time to four hours instead of two. Free rental remains for Holiday Island clubs and organizations except for a cleaning deposit.

The board will continue its discussions of this amendment at its business meeting Oct. 26 at 9 a.m. at the district office.