RANCHOS DE PLACITAS PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION
MEETING JUNE 20, 2026
PLACITAS COMMUNITY LIBRARY
- The meeting was called to order by president Mike Pena at 10:04 AM. A quorum was established and the prior meeting minutes from January 17, 2026 were reviewed and
approved. - Board activities overview
a. Google Workspace was established so the Board can communicate as a group within a secure space
b. Treasurer/Secretary working on projects to be discussed
c. Operating costs to be discussed - Financial Report – Gayle Reinhart, treasurer, presented the balance sheet for the first 6 months of 2026. About $20, 654.51 is in the bank. We also have $1200 in compliance deposits. Gayle also presented the Income and Expense sheet for the same 6 month period. $1,322.94 in dues has come in. Operating expenses were discussed, total is $1,564.15 and we show a net profit of – $241.21. Gayle discussed the previous lack of
compliance with New Mexico requirements for nonprofit filing, this has now been straightened out and is up to date. POA annual expenses were also reviewed to demonstrate that operating expenses were approximately $2400/year. Gayle also
discussed the likelihood of a dues increase as current dues paid do not cover our operating expenses. Mike Pena said that we might need to double our dues to $50/year unless more owners participate. Craig reminded everyone that we are a domestic
nonprofit and not a 501(c)(3). We need to make better use of the community bulletin board, snail mail and signs/posters near the mailboxes, and possible social events to increase interest in membership. Tim suggested that there are software packages that will notify members about meetings and other issues that cost about $600/year; Gayle indicated that Craig, as webmaster, can already do this but it doesn’t solve the problem of members who do not want to share their email addresses. There were concerns raised that a vote on a dues increase was premature since this was not an item on the agenda; it will
be placed on the agenda for the next meeting. A committee will be formed, headed by Tim McIntyre, to research available tools to improve communications with property owners and to highlight what the POA is doing to support its members. - Winnie presented the new D&O insurance policy; the former insurance agent quoted over $2,000. Our new rate is with United States Liability Co., an A++ rated company, is $698.
- Architectural Committee report: Rick Moutz reported that a new home at 37 Chaparral has submitted preliminary house plans but no final plans have been submitted. 56 Camino
Redondo has submitted preliminary house plans which have been approved. A new toolshed outbuilding was proposed for 25 Aspen, sketches have been submitted. A new
home is proposed at 18 Canon del Agua, but no further paperwork has been submitted after the Request to Build. Randy noted that some construction has been started on Tejon Canyon but no paperwork has been submitted; Mike said the owner is aware of the need to contact the Architectural Committee if he plans to erect any structures. - Technology – Craig reported that he has completed the Google Workspace project so that all Board members can communicate. It has a shared permanent storage space for
documents and has tools available to help with operations. Craig will continue as Webmaster to assist with technology. - Reinvigorating “The Brief” – Mike Neas reported on the need to make the POA relevant to the property owners, and this is an outreach that we are putting back into play for the Association to address issues of concern to the members. He has sent out one copy of The Brief addressing the ESCAFA tax issue, and Arman has drafted a second one summarizing the recent meeting of the Water Board on water rate increases. The Board
will meet to determine how often The Brief should be sent out and continued to encourage members to share their email addresses to receive communications.
Arman McPherson presented an update on the North Ranchos de Placitas Water and Sanitation District (units 4, 5, 6, 7) on January 6 that the next issue of The Brief will cover. Attendance at the meeting was good; there was a lot of discussion of conservation, aquifers and water usage. Members did not seem to know about the mil levy on their property taxes for water. The Water Board is a quasi-governmental agency; it has been
operating at a deficit for several years and this is the reason for the mil levy. Individual owner usage is from less than 1,000 gallons to one user who is over 50,000 gallons. There are “super users” on the system. If you use less than 8,000 gallons/month your bills will not change; if you use over 20,000 gallons your bill will double. Another Water Board meeting took place last Thursday that Arman attended; new rates will go into effect August 1; he thinks it will show up Sept. 1 on your bill. Toby asked if the Water Board was addressing the “super user” issue; there was discussion of a recent move by state government to look into multiple domestic water associations regarding usage and conservation. The Water Board meets every Thursday at La Puerta offices but does not have a website.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:50.