Subdivision Trustees – This one’s for you!

Talk about tough jobs!  In the past eighteen months I have gotten to know, and grown to deeply respect, a number of subdivision trustees.  It seems no matter the size of the subdivision, the issues are often similar. 

Trustees are tasked with maintaining common areas, roads, street signs and street lights in private subdivisions.  They collect and spend subdivision fees, and are held to a high fiduciary standard. 

When things go wrong in the neighborhood, who gets called?   You guessed it, the subdivision trustees. 

In today’s tough economic times, subdivision trustees often have added burdens created by high rates of unemployment and foreclosure among residents, and developer bankruptcy.  These concerns have been raised in my conversations in District 2 neighborhoods.  Unfortunately, because most subdivisions have private roads and are governed by private contract (indentures), the County Council has no jurisdiction. 

In discussing this dilemma with Councilman Groeteke, I realized that he has had similar conversations with residents in District 4.  Together, we decided to set up the upcoming Subdivision Leadership Seminar.  It is our hope that by creating a forum for discussion between subdivision leaders across Jefferson County, perhaps they can gather additional information and build networks of support to help each other with common issues.    

We have invited Dwight Vermette, an attorney who lives in District 4, and two of his partners (John Maupin and Rich Magee) from the law firm, Eckenrode Maupin, to conduct presentations for attendees of this seminar, which will be held on Thursday, April 19, 2012 from 6-9 PM at the Mastodon State Historic Site in Imperial, MO. 

Topics of discussion will include subdivision meetings, drafting, amending and enforcing indentures, collection (and non-collection) of dues, and other burning questions participants might pose.  The Jefferson County Recorder of Deeds, Debbie Dunnegan, will also be on hand to answer questions participants may have about deeds, plats and land document recording in Jefferson County. 

Participation is free, but seating is limited, so you are encouraged to reserve your seat by contacting Gail Shorney at gail@tkpcs.com or Pat Schlette by telephone at (636) 797-5517.

I hope to see you there!

Renee Reuter
Jefferson County Council
District 2 Representative