Directors debate proposed dues and APF increases and several new staff positions in operating-budget review

Sun City West directors spent substantial time on April 10 probing the operating-budget proposals for fiscal year 2026–27, focusing on a plan that would both raise annual dues slightly and add fees earmarked for master-plan work, while also adding six full-time equivalent positions.

CFO Cliff Swan reviewed changes that included a partial-year revenue effect from a $22 dues increase and suggested options to begin setting aside money for master-plan implementation, including a potential $20 per-year dues item and an additional $300 asset-preservation fee (APF) earmark. "We could decide to fund... space out our irrigation projects further," Novello said while framing options; Director John Chatton pressed staff on numbers and said, "I just think we need to hold the line a little bit on the APFs," expressing concern about raising APF fees before the board sees detailed master-plan priorities.

Directors also questioned a request to add six FTEs, including a content/media specialist to support strategic-priority marketing, and a bowling-league coordinator. Chatton and others asked for a clearer statement of measurable outcomes and return-on-investment for the PR/content role and whether some duties could be contracted or handled part time. Cliff said measures of success for the PR role would be tied to community and staff engagement metrics and the strategic plan’s KPIs; staff committed to return with role descriptions and clearer KPIs.

Some directors argued the community would benefit from setting aside master-plan funds now to avoid delaying large projects, while others said raising APF and dues in advance of a final master plan would impose potential cost burdens on buyers and residents and should be approached cautiously. The budget and finance committee recommended options to the board; staff said more detail would be provided before the May budget adoption.

No final operating-budget votes were taken at the workshop; staff will provide requested job descriptions, KPIs and more granular cost detail in advance of budget decisions in May.