RA Wants to Hear Residents’ Ideas for 2018-19 Budget

As Reston Association board members prepare to draw up the budget for FY2018-19, they are seeking input from community members.

Budget has been a hot topic around Reston lately, particularly after last year’s controversial overrun of the budget for projects like the Lake House, and after pool schedules for this year came out and had cuts in them that upset many residents, considering that RA annual assessment dues went up $35 for 2017.

RA CEO Cate Fulkerson spoke last month at the association’s annual member meeting, expressing a commitment to more transparency and efficiency.

Fulkerson also announced a series of “listening meetings” in each of Reston’s districts to hear feedback on RA operations directly from residents, specifically timed to occur before FY2018’s and FY2019’s capital and operating budgets are finalized.

Those meetings are expected to take place over May and June. The budget is expected to be adopted in the fall.

In addition to the listening meetings, the RA has recently been distributing feedback forms that residents can print out and submit, or email to staff.

The forms ask for residents’ ideas and suggestions for new projects or services that would be beneficial to members, services or facilities that need improving upon, and the like.

“Perhaps you have a suggestion or an idea about improving association services or adding new services,” the request for feedback reads. “You are welcome to submit any and all ideas about Reston Association’s services, facilities, operations and programs.”

For those who have ideas on new projects or services, or existing ones that might need more funding, the RA asks them to describe their idea in as much detail as possible, including as many specifics like location, cost or potential savings as they can.

The RA promises to “prioritize” constructive suggestions during budget talks.

“The Board of Directors will carefully consider all suggestions received, in light of available financial resources, and will prioritize these suggestions for possible inclusion in the upcoming budget.”

Click here to download the feedback submission form from RA’s website.

It can then be mailed or dropped off at RA headquarters (12001 Sunrise Valley Dr.), or can be sent by email to [email protected].

Submissions must be received no later than June 30.

 

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