By LYNETTE HAALAND
Four Points News

The Steiner Ranch Master Association town hall meeting on Thursday, Sept. 14 drew a crowd of some 60 homeowners who came to hear plans and give feedback on the board’s consideration of changing its current in-house community management.

Craig Smyser, who resigned from the board on Friday, started the meeting by sharing with the audience what the consultant provided to the board and his recommendations, which the board received the night before.

The consultant, who is based out of Pennsylvania, recommended a new onsite management model along with integrated software tools.

Board treasurer Robby Roberts also addressed the audience and shared a different perspective about the process so far. He feels the process is being rushed to make this big decision, especially when the board so recently received full control of running the community after Taylor Morrison’s exit.

The board is divided on the prospects of changing the Steiner management and/or on the timing of the decision.

The floor was then opened up to homeowners at the meeting and more than 20 residents had questions and comments.

Tom Jacobs, 82, is a U.S. Navy retiree. He and his wife, Margaret, have lived in Steiner for 23 years. They have been in Steiner since it was in the country and from time to time they had to deal with Steiner cattle on the road.

“There is no transparency,” he said. He feels like the board did not bring him and other residents in on this major consideration of community management early enough and Jacobs now lacks trust in the decision.

“It felt like the board’s mission was to get this passed through and done very hurriedly, without consent on the part of the residents,” Jacobs said.

The board had planned to take a vote on the consultant’s recommendations at its next board meeting on Sept. 26.

Brad Stanton, a 12-year Steiner resident, asked for the board to push back a decision for two months to be able to better evaluate the possibilities of an outside management company.

Also Stanton wants to see the board find a better apples to apples comparison from a firm that is already managing a large, upscale community similar to Steiner.

Josh Yates was the last homeowner to speak up at the town hall.

“Have you quantified the level of dissatisfaction,” Yates said. Listening to the board and other homeowners throughout the town hall meeting, he said he had not heard of a compelling reason to make such a quick decision on changing management.

Former board member Ron Levin said that the board is not getting to the day-to-day decisions of the community because it is considering shifting how it is managed. He explained that the board is still working through the financials of the community and reviewing audits since the developer left. The decision to change the management style is coming too soon after the transition.

Another homeowner asked for a show of hands of those wanting more information on this large community decision. The majority of those attending raised their hands. Many said they would like a community survey to go out.

“I appreciate that with any big decision, there be a consensus from the community,” he said.

Some homeowners who spoke said they are ready for improved services, a better website for the residents and better response times on calls made to the Steiner office.

The consultant projected, if the new model were implemented, Steiner could realize up to $1.5 million savings over three years, stated Naren Chilukuri, SRMA board president, in a blast email on Sept. 19 to residents of the community.

The second town hall meeting is Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. at Towne Square Community Center.