2026 La Cresta Board
Candidate
Zun Hin Woo
LCPOA Dues Increase
The Real Question on Association Fees:
Zero Amenities: We don't have a clubhouse, a golf course, or extra recreational assets—our core obligation is strictly road maintenance.
Healthy Finances: The Treasurer repeatedly reports an operating fund surplus alongside millions in our reserves.
The Contradiction: Despite these healthy numbers and minimal upkeep requirements, we are still facing fee increases. Why are homeowners being asked to pay more?
Your participation as a member of this community is important. This brief survey seeks member feedback regarding the proposed 20% increase in annual assessments advanced by the current Board majority President Roy Paulson, Vice President David Boyd, and Secretary/Treasurer Paul Gaarenstroom ( who is running the BOD election 2026).
The following summarizes financial information and governance concerns discussed during the February 5, 2026, LCPOA Open Session meeting.
Current Financial Overview
Reported at LCPOA Open Session – February 5, 2026
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Annual Assessment Collections: Approximately $1,025,000.00
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Reserve Funds: Approximately $2,400,000.00
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Total Reported Funds: Approximately $3,425,000.00
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2025 operation surplus : $396,000.00
Lack of Financial Disclosure Concerns
No financial statements for the current fiscal year have been posted or made available to the membership, despite emailed requests.
The absence of current financial disclosures raises significant concerns regarding compliance with corporate transparency requirements and Davis–Stirling disclosure obligations. Members cannot reasonably evaluate the LCPOA's financial condition, or the real necessity of a dues increase without timely access to the Association’s financial records.
1. Legal Expenditures Transparency
Association funds have reportedly been expended on legal matters arising from governance disputes and alleged deviations from the LCPOA Articles of Incorporation and CC&Rs.
Additional legal expenses have reportedly resulted from disputes concerning member access to financial records, where members have requested documentation that management allegedly has declined to produce.
2. Reserve Funding Justification
The Board has indicated that reserve funding levels should exceed 50%. However, the Association’s principal long-term obligation is road maintenance that historically has been funded through the annual general operating budget.
Members may reasonably request further explanation before any dues increase absent supportive engineering studies, reserve analysis or documented capital replacement schedules.
3. Competitive Bidding Practice
Concerns have been raised that certain construction and maintenance projects were awarded without documented competitive bidding from multiple qualified vendors. Competitive bidding is widely recognized as a best business practice to ensure reasonable pricing and proper stewardship of our funds.
4. Discretionary Project Spending
Over $100,000 has reportedly been allocated for survey and signage related to equestrian crossing that are rarely used due to the danger associated with highspeed vehicles traversing on Avenida La Cresta.
Directors and members have questioned whether these expenditures provide a proportional benefit to the broader membership, given that equestrian activities represent a limited scope of property owners and may also intersect with private benefit of commercial equestrian interests of current Board President Roy Paulson, admittedly operating his commercial business in violation of Riverside County ordinance within La Cresta.
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