Where Did Our Budget Come From

IN FOCUS

Part 1 of 3 — how our dues and budget got to where they are today.

The Short Version

For more than ten years, dues were $1,950 a year.
The Board raised them twice — to $2,750 in 2023, and to $3,500 in 2025.
Those two decisions, more than newly sold lots, explain most of the budget’s growth.

Three Words to Know Dues — what each property owner pays the Association every year for each lot (officially, the “Base Assessment”). Budget — the Association’s spending plan for the year. Most of it pays everyday costs, like mowing, insurance, and management. Part of it goes into reserves. Reserves — money set aside to repair or replace things the community owns — roads, the clubhouse, the boat basin.

Why Did the Budget Grow?

The budget grew from about $329,000 in 2015 to about $816,000 in 2026.
New lots explain only part of it. At the old $1,950 rate, today’s roughly 219* dues-paying lots would bring in about $427,000. The rest of the growth comes from the two increases.
In 2022, a one-time $650-per-lot charge, called a “Special Assessment,” was put to property owners and did not go forward.

Three Chapters

2011–2022 · The Beginning. Dues stayed flat. The budget grew slowly as homes were added.
2023–2024 · Reserve Study and First Increase. The Board raised dues to $2,750 for 2023.An independent Reserve Study counted what we own and what repairs will cost.
2025–today · Second Increase. Dues rose to $3,500. The budget and reserve deposits reached their highest levels yet.

One-Time Fees — Not Your Annual Dues Capital Contribution Fee — a one-time fee paid at closing, set by the Board. It was $1,950 for many years, $3,500 from 2023, and $5,000 from 2025. The Board has stated that these fees now go into reserves. Declarant Impact Fee — $2,500 paid by the Declarant (the developer), as each newly developed lot is sold — not all at once.

Questions to Consider

Dues held steady for more than ten years, then rose twice in three years. What would you want the Board to explain about the why?

What level of detail would you want in a spending plan — big categories, or every line item?

Sources:*219 lots per the Board’s 2026 Budget & Reserves Plan Informational Meeting (October 9, 2025). Coosaw Point Approved Annual Budgets, 2011–2026 · Treasurer’s Report, May 2024 · Q&A Document, October 2024 · Budget/Capital Plan Informational Meeting, October 2024 · Annual Meeting Minutes, 2022 · Reserve Study, 2023.

Prepared by Coosaw Futures, Corp., an independent nonprofit of Coosaw Point property owners. We are not affiliated with the POA or the Declarant. Based on records available as of September 2026. For informational purposes only, and not legal or financial advice. If you see an error or have feedback, please let us know at info@coosawfutures.org.