By Maggie Beamguard
Insider Editor
About 60 residents attended the annual meeting of the Seven Lakes West Landowners Association on Sunday, March 15. Board members reviewed the community’s finances, infrastructure projects and operations during a wide-ranging presentation.
A brief business meeting was held before the annual report began.
One of the two items under consideration was whether to extend the association’s management contract with HRW, the community’s property management company, for another year.
Supporters of HRW stated that the management company has made significant improvements over the past nine months, rectifying issues of communication and staff availability. Proponents of switching companies said HRW had struggled during the previous years and that other management firms interviewed offered more user-friendly systems and services. Following discussion, the board approved the one year extension by a 4-2 vote.
The second matter before the board addressed the usage of boat slips at the marina at Johnson Point. With a high demand for slips and a long waiting list, the board voted unanimously that boat slips must be in active use between May and September or the slips would be forfeited.
Several members acknowledged that, occasionally, extenuating circumstances may apply to individuals who would be able to work out an alternative arrangement with management.
During the annual report, the board acknowledged and thanked the many volunteers who serve on various committees, many of whom serve in multiple capacities. Much of the association’s work is handled by committees which oversee among other organizational aspects: finance, infrastructure, lake management, safety, communications and events. The association recently reorganized its committee structure, reducing the number of committees from 16 to 10 in an effort to improve coordination and participation.
Seven Lakes West currently includes more than 1,400 homes, with about 300 additional lots that could still be developed. Facing a potential 20 percent growth, more volunteers are needed to support the work of the association.
In closing remarks, outgoing board president Frank Ingham urged residents to consider serving on committees or running for the board in the future.
“The committees are where the work is actually done,” he said. “Right now many volunteers are doubling and tripling up. That’s not sustainable.”
The appeal for volunteers came following a candid and informative overview of the community’s progress during the past year, including accomplishments and challenges. Vice President Jim Christner provided the recap, emphasizing the community’s strong financial underpinning. The current fiscal year budget totals $3,988,410, and the newly approved 2026-2027 budget will increase to $4,493,477. The fiscal year begins on May 1. Annual dues will rise by $142 to $2,089.
A total of 575 ballots were returned by property owners during the budget vote. After four ballots were ruled ineligible, 571 votes were counted, with 338 members voting to approve the budget and 226 voting against it.
Under the rules of the North Carolina Planned Community Act, the budget passed.
The board also reported that the association expects to begin the next fiscal year with approximately $1.5 million in reserve funds.
Leaders also reported progress in reducing delinquent dues accounts to under 100 cases. Delinquent accounts had exceeded 300 last year before administrative errors were corrected and enforcement increased.
It takes months of effort to develop the budget which is reviewed by multiple committees before reaching the board for approval. “There is a lot of thought and a lot of people looking at these numbers,” Christner said.
Christner was candid about areas where improvements were needed.
“We want to tell the good, the bad and the ugly,” he said. Among the issues discussed were delayed pickleball courts caused by drainage problems, limited boating rule enforcement in the past and adjustments to a planned emergency access route after safety concerns were discovered.
The report included a review of several infrastructure and capital projects completed or underway during the past year. These include paving 4.5 miles of roads, replacing 11 culverts, installing fencing and building four new pickleball courts.
Other projects include dredging work on community ponds, guard rails installed near Pond No. 3 and construction of a security gate at Johnson Point.
Roads — all 37 miles of them — and the 360 culverts remain among the association’s highest infrastructure priorities. “Those things don’t get better with age,” Christner said.
Security improvements were also highlighted. The association installed Flock license plate readers which integrate with the Moore County Sheriff’s office.
During warmer months and the busiest season at Johnson Point, security was increased. A new mobile guard station can be deployed during busy lake weekends or emergency situations.
Lake Auman and its dam, critical assets for the community and property values, remain a priority. Recent maintenance projects include the installation of main spillway crash protection, an updated emergency action plan, the installation of 600 tons of riprap and completion of the main spillway bridge installation.
Lake management efforts also include water quality testing, buoy maintenance, dredging work and fish-stocking support.
“All of our property values are tied to the lake,” Christner said.
Four candidates ran for three open seats on the board of directors. Robert Connelly received 447 votes, Lynn Jamieson received 403 votes, Eddie Pearce received 364 votes. Rita Wanser received 339 votes. Connelly, Jamieson and Pearce were elected to the board.
Following the annual meeting, the board met to select new officers: President, Jim Christner; Vice President, Cathie Koppenhoefer; Secretary, Lynn Jameson; Treasurer, Kevin Frost.
The board recognized three outgoing members: treasurer Kevin Gustafson, secretary Rita Wanser and Ingham. Gustafson was credited with generating roughly $160,000 in interest income through investment management. Wanser was praised for extensive work updating the association’s governing documents.
Ingham delivered the closing remarks, thanking residents who volunteer their time to serve on committees, clubs and the board and encouraged others to get involved. “WIth the growth we’re seeing, we’re going to need more people willing to step forward and serve,” he said.
He ended with a simple message: “Go and do something nice for a neighbor.”
Contact Maggie Beamguard at maggie@thepilot.com.
