Aquatic Vegetation Inquiries – every year it seems we see something new in our lake eco-system; or it seems new as year after year the environment goes through cycles and changes based on weather, run-off and invasive species. This year we are seeing along the shoreline where there is a silt/dirt base blooms of Naiad (Southern Naiad) a nuisance rooted native plant. This plant is good for the overall lake ecosystem, so while a recreational nuisance, we prefer to leave it alone for the benefits it brings. The Nuisance Aquatic Handbook from the MO Department of Conservation Fisheries Biologist has been posted on the LLA website for reference.
Realistic treatments are limited to physical removal. However, Naiad breaks up very easily making it hard to gather up. For those members impacted, we recommend any removal be limited to areas that impact the operation of your boat or lake pumps. As conditions of the water change this plant will come and go with this year being a GO!
Too hit on all the topics I’m sure are floating around: (1) Please do not treat water vegetation with any chemicals as you would be in violation of our Rules. (2) Despite claims on Facebook, the LLA will not come around and pick up any vegetation manually removed from the lake. (3) The grass boat we invested in many years ago is designed for surface vegetation and not rooted variants. Naiad removal deployment is not planned at this time. (4) Non-reproducing Grass Carp were introduced to the lake many years ago with the outbreak of grasses. We believe those have died out, so the fishery committee is looking to introduce additional Grass Carp.
Gas Dock Improvement Project – Another notch in our completing 2025 projects with the upgrade of the gas dock structure. The original installation was not functioning well and with varying water levels creating a safety issue as well as damage to the sea wall and dock. A finger with transition plates were added by Spencer Brachman to allow the docks to float with the water level and create a safe transition for members using the gas pumps! By the time you read this a Wave Runner ramp for filling up will be added.
Mid-Year Financials – did you know that our By-Laws require a meeting every March and November with the latter being an annual budget approval for the upcoming year. I thought it might be good to share project financial updates focusing on budget items, not considered day-to-day tasks.
Many larger projects translate into future year over year tasks increasing annual expenses. For example, in falling behind on ditch maintenance, this year’s effort was more time consuming. We also experimented with a technique for clearing the driveway culverts using high pressure water with a suction pump. This task is now on the annual list, which means renting equipment from time to time and crew hours that impact our labor capacity. Also, we found tree root invasion in many of the driveway culverts requiring removal. Our Infrastructure Committee will be tasked with developing an approach for addressing driveway culverts owned by the homeowner, yet integral to our watershed management. Did you know that while we do a lot with our crews, many of our big projects are outsourced to consultants or contractors. Also, bigger projects require investing in engineering services to ensure code and regulatory compliance.
Did you know – at each board meeting we review the key financial statistics from the month closing a full month in arrears. This August meeting we reviewed the YTD numbers from the June closing. In addition, Marilee watches cashflow reports monthly to ensure we can cover known future expenses. The Ways & Means committee reviews expenditures not foreseen when they may have a significant impact on the year’s financial needs. Here are some general facts:
- We collected in firework donations $25,050 and spent $22,300 on this year’s show. The $2,750 carries over into the reserve fund we have for fireworks to be used in future years. The next two years are big celebrations (Nations 250th, Lotawana Centennial), so start saving up your donations now!!
- We pay month to month costs are taken from the Operating Fund that is invested and has seen interest income of $31,000 YTD.
- Our Credit Card (CC) use fees from dues and fee payments is over budget $4,800 YTD. This is due to a growing number of members using CC. The offset is we are doing better this year with collections and getting our money invested earlier in the year.
- Loan Balance for the Lotawana Properties, LLC (Marina 27) is down to $666,000 balance from $1.2 million. Also, Jackson county raised the property valuation by 81% for 2025. We filed an appeal and through negotiations reduced the to $1,150,000 only a 19% increase.
- The new Dredge Reserve started this year with a zero balance, but was funded with the appropriate amount from our dues. After spending close to $50,000 year to date, primarily on Engineering Services, we have a balance of $199,433. With Dirt World and Midwest Excavating taking truckloads of dirt from the ponds we continue to save our money for the capital investments needed.
- The Capital Reserve fund had a starting balance this year of $80,973 and with transfers and other income sources an additional $74,000 has been added YTD for a balance of $155,064.
- The Road Reserve fund started this year with a $1,716,218 balance. With inputs and outputs YTD we have a balance of $2,357,465, however, the West Shore resurfacing, Low-Water Crossing and resurfacing, plus our bonus work planned to complete culvert work in the V & O block areas with completing East Shore resurfacing this fund will be ending with a low balance. In the next budget the portion of Dues allocated for Roads will help us complete the North Shore work along with start rebuilding the fund for the future.
LLA Committees – I thought it would be good to provide a summary of key initiatives our various committees are working at this time. The Infrastructure Committee will be working on a long term plan for our Parkway and Pathway assets along with the Dam structure. They have been working to put together a comprehensive inventory of our pathways in conjunction with developing a long term view of managing this asset. Also, they kicked off a spillway analysis with Allstate Consulting to address the aging concrete surface. The Dredge Committee is also working with Allstate Consulting not only on our catch up efforts, but also long term management plans for our silt basins and ways to keep silt out of the lake in the first place. The Operations Team continues to look at our capital equipment needs so Ways & Means can have a long term view. The Roads Committee will be pivoting to planning for the remaining resurface work on the North Shore in 2026. The Rules Committee is looking at how we permit docking structures; boat requirements as the industry continues to innovate and working with the office to address Rules that are out of synch with technology and process.
Statistics – you might be interested in some office statistics we are tracking. The magnitude of data points the office staff records each year reflects the overall effort it takes to run a large home association with significant assets. We are more comparable to a large resort than a typical HOA. This year the number of construction applications and home sales is actually down year over year.
| Item | July ‘25 | YTD |
| Permit Applications (construction) | 29 | 156 |
| In-house Applications Approved | 2 | 36 |
| Lake Improvement Board Cases | 11 | 45 |
| Active Registered Docking Structures | 2,476 | |
| Property Sales (Waivers) | 8 | 51 |
| Watercraft Registrations Paid | 32 | 2,187 |
| Citations | 14 | 27 |
| Courtesy Notices | 13 | 137 |
Courtesy Reminders – If you have questions or topics, you would like discussed regarding the Association, please feel free to drop me a note at President@lakelotawana.net.
Sincerely,
Jeff Clemow
President