April 2014
D i g e s t
The Official Publication of the Kiawah Island Community Association
Annual Meeting: 2014 Brings Change, Growth
to develop a preliminary master plan that will go to the Kiawah
community for input.
“We want to see if we’ve gotten the plan right, and we want the process
to be very inclusive and to hear all viewpoints,” explained Connolly.
“We want to know what you like and don’t like about it.”
After public input is received, the consultant will take that information
and incorporate it into the plan. Ultimately, the board hopes to have a
final plan in place later this year.
For a summary of the amenities survey results, or for more updates
on this and other board projects, visit kica.us (News/Board Initiatives).
From left to right: Townsend Clarkson, Larry Kreyling, Marilyn Olson,
Will Lehder, Sue Schaffer, Dave Schoenholz, Art Jones.
The rain and cold did not stop property owners from filling the
Sandcastle at KICA’s 2014 Annual Meeting, held on Friday, March
7 at 2 p.m.
A standing-room only crowd was on-hand to hear KICA leaders look
back at the past year and look ahead to the future.
Major Initiatives Highlight 2013
Outgoing Chair John Connolly’s message at the meeting was simple,
2013 was a busy year for KICA! Connolly discussed many of the major
initiatives undertaken by the association over the last year, including
the implementation of the Supplemental Annual Assessment.
“The Supplemental Annual Assessment has allowed KICA to continue
its long history of financial strength and stability,” said Connolly. “Due
to the SAA, we’re able to complete important infrastructure projects
to keep Kiawah Island as the standard for premier communities across
the nation.”
According to Connolly, other big steps by KICA over the past year
included the work of the Governance Committee addressing the issue
of board succession and continuity, and the association’s work within
the West Beach Revitalization Project. One of the most vital initiatives,
however, involves planning for KICA’s amenities.
“Kiawah Island is one of the most beautiful places on earth,” said
Connolly, “but when you compare the amenity offerings of KICA to
other like communities around the nation, we fall short.”
Over the past year the KICA board has been working with an outside
consultant to survey the membership to gauge public opinion on the
association’s amenities. According to Connolly, the results were not
a surprise and were in line with what is happening nationally. The
consultant and the Amenities Planning Group are currently working
Supplemental Annual Assessment Boosts Financial Security
The Annual Meeting also featured a detailed and thorough look at the
association’s financial past, present and projected future, courtesy of
board Treasurer Dave Schoenholz. The ultimate message: KICA has
taken steps to keep its financial future strong.
Schoenholz briefly reviewed current financial results, which included
a total surplus of nearly $1.1 million for 2013 versus a budgeted
deficit of just over $115,000. A large part of this surplus was due to
the implementation of the Supplemental Annual Assessment (SAA),
which was unbudgeted for 2013, accounting for the positive variance.
Also, there were a few major repair and replacement projects that were
budgeted for 2013 but were actually expensed in 2014.
Though the surplus for 2013 may be somewhat overstated, Schoenholz
expressed confidence in KICA’s financial planning and preparation for
the future, led by the aforementioned SAA.
“2013 was a successful year and our investment approach was prudently
improved,” said Schoenholz. “The 2014 budget will be challenged by
carryover major repair and replacement projects from 2013, but our
longer-term reserve fund should be secured.”
The full treasurer’s report presentation can be viewed at kica.us (Events/
Annual Meeting).
Introducing the Kiawah Shuttle Service
Property owners in attendance at the meeting were greeted with a
surprise at the entrance to the Sandcastle, a sneak peek at KICA’s brand
new Kiawah Shuttle Service vehicle. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
shuttle features a custom-designed leather interior and luxury features
such as a flat screen TV, Wi-Fi, and satellite TV and radio.
KICA Chief Operating Officer Jimmy Bailey wanted members to get
a chance to see the shuttle in person,
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