Leisure Lake Park

Diamond, Ohio

Discussion on installing electric meters on each campsite
from the meeting on October 12, 2008

DirectorY

Margaret turned the floor over to Tom Wolf for discussion on installing electric meters on each member’s campsite.

Tom explained that there was a get together of members last Saturday to discuss a possible dues increase and what other options may be available. A business owner told Tom that he looks at the three biggest expenses and tries to find ways to reduce the cost or increase revenue to cover the expense. Electric appears to be one of our biggest expenses. In the past, when the idea of installing electric meters was mentioned, we were always told it would cost too much but no one could say what the exact cost would be. Several members banned together to research this topic. The electric company suggested JC Electric. Tom met with them, and toured the park. They discussed the type of meters, hookups, suppliers and prices for RV pedestal meters for each lot. Unsure of who would read the meters at this time. Lake Village Park’s (in Andover, Ashtabula County) expenses were too high and their park was in danger of closing. They assessed each member the cost of electric meter(s) with members responsible for the cost of their own electric.

Their excess revenue (created by installing the electric meters) has been spent on capital improvements and after three years, they were able to lower the annual dues back to before the meters were installed. It only took them three years but they have twice as many members. The electric company can read the meters for a service charge per month. The electric company can help (for hardship cases) to finance the cost (of the meter(s) and installation) over four years and can bill at home for electric used at the park.

Some questions from last Saturday’s get together include:

1. For those who don’t stay year round, is the meter disconnected by the electric company?...turned on/off for a fee?

2. Reading meters…options of reading here and bill or electric company read and bill?

3. How long would this take…answer: with a three to four week notice, the job could be completed in three to four weeks.

4. Cost? Between $350.00 and $400.

Questions from the floor:

Karen Mills: Is this company licensed and approved? The electric co. gave the name…JC Electric.

Pat Detrick: Doesn’t our by-laws require three bids? Margaret stated when the campground pays the bill. The clubhouse and pool would need to be separate. The current electric in the park is a health hazard.

Bob Mills, Sr.: Do we know the price per kw? Tom didn’t know that.

Bob Mills, Jr.: What does the meter consist of? Answer: 120, 30, and 50 amp.

Janus Darling: What would stop a neighbor from plugging into your meter? The boxes would be locked.

Kathy Mustar: What about empty lots and rovers? Extra lots would have to be metered and suggested $3.00/day electric fee.

Doug Miller stated that raising the dues $200.00 would pay the electric bill but would not allow for improvements and would only be a band-aid, we would be throwing good money after bad, and there would be no money left to update the electric.

Tom Wolf made a motion to direct the Board of Directors to move forward on placing electric meters on individual lots to be paid for by the member not to exceed $425.00 for each site and to be completed by May 1^st, 2009, 2^nd by Ken May.

Pat Detrick asked if you have multiple lots do you have to pay for a meter on each even if you only have one camper on both lots? Yes.

Ron Cox asked if you transferred your lot would you be reimbursed for your meter? No.

Dee Wurz stated it was in the best interest of the park to move forward.

Bob Mills, Jr. asked that the progress of this project be posted on the bulletin board.

Margaret called for a vote on Tom’s motion. Vote: yes = 189, no = 20, motion carried.