Contributions – 49 of 935 homes
Neighborhood Lighting Survey – Inadequate lighting has been a key concern throughout the neighborhood. The board reached out to the Orange County Comptroller Special Assessments Office and Duke Energy in August 2021to request a study. The study resulted in a significant upgrade from the original lights and posts to all new LED lighting and 15’ posts throughout the neighborhood. This was achieved at a minimal cost of less than $5 per year via property taxes.
Beautification Grant – The board successfully applied for and received a second beautification grant from Orange County in 2022 (first one was in 2019 for signage) to add electrical and water to all remaining entrances. This is a non-matching grant of up to $10K, meaning the community does not have to match the amount given to it. Grants can be received once every three years.
After working with Duke, OUC and the contractor we now have electric, water and new landscaping at the Wallace entrance, Dr. Phillips and Sandberry and Apopka Vineland and Sandberry entrances – lights will be installed at Sandberry and Apopka Vineland in the next month.
Community events – Trunk or Treat was canceled because of lack of participation and leadership for the event.
SLHC hosted a Christmas holiday event in December. Neighbors stepped up to lead the event and the board funded it.
The board will ask others to lead these community events in the future if the community wants to have them.
Brick Wall Update – Three quotes were collected in 2020 to repair the brick wall which would have cost anywhere from $30 – $45K. Additionally, an engineering firm was tasked to survey the wall in 2021. The survey concluded a repair would only yield a temporary esthetic improvement and that a full rebuild is the recommended path forward.
In 2022 the Orange County Comptroller reviewed the project to redo the wall from scratch and assess Sand Lake Hills residents through property taxes as done in 2003. After much deliberation, Orange County told us that the construction of the wall was a one-time opportunity and now Sand Lake Hills would need to fund any repairs or replacement.
Valerian Pond Access – Efforts continue to champion access to Lake Valerian. Board members met with the Orange County commissioner, Nicole Wilson, on Oct. 3rd at the retention pond to discuss the removal of “No Trespassing” signs and to pitch our vision for improvements like a pathway around the pond. Commissioner Wilson did not realize how big the piece of land was and said access could be obtained. Reaching out for next steps.
Summary – Contributions from 49 homes is the minimum threshold to guarantee lights, water, landscaping, events, and basic operating expenses. The foundation has been built from 2019 until now but we need additional help. Whether you can donate time, skills, or money we need neighbors to step up in our community. We have done quite a lot since Sand Lake Hills Inc. was founded in late 2018 but to continue, we need new faces to help with projects, community events and new ideas of what’s next.
| Sand Lake Hills Community Inc. | |||
| PROFIT & LOSS | |||
| January through Dec. 31, 2022 | |||
| Jan -Dec | |||
| Ordinary Income/Expense | |||
| Income | |||
| Beginning Balance | $12,596.98 | ||
| Contributions (49 HH’s ) | $7,698.91 | ||
| Gross Profit | $20,295.89 | ||
| Expense | |||
| OUC | $1,008.49 | ||
| Duke Energy | $4,269.14 | ||
| Landscaping Services | $2,660.00 | ||
| Misc beautification | $2,095.84 | ||
| Community Mailer | $473.24 | ||
| Website | $167.99 | ||
| Accountant (Taxes) | $400.00 | ||
| Sun Biz Forms | $61.25 | ||
| Office Expense | $575.85 | ||
| Community Events | $281.87 | ||
| Total Expense | $11,993.67 | ||
| Net Income | $8,302.22 | ||
Sand Lake Hills 