First, a big Thank You to those who are willing and able to be Board Members!
Second, Praise for the Irrigator. I've lived here 30 years and he's the first one who fully understands how the system works. It's tricky. We could never do it ourselves like other neighborhoods do. You need to know what valves can be open when, and be willing and able to accommodate everyone. For example, if there are other valves open on the same line at the same time as mine, I've actually seen the water run backwards into the valve from my yard!
Third, the Cost. When it was first proposed that bigger lots should pay more, I agreed because my lot does need more water. I wonder how many others, and who, are also paying the higher fee. However, from the budget I see that the water itself is but a small part of the cost. The bulk of it goes to pay the Irrigator. I paid $125 compared to $75, or 67% more.
I have one valve. It's the same amount of work to open it once and close it once. Some smaller lots have two valves, twice as much work. True, there's a longer time to wait between open and close, but I don't know what he does with that time. And quite often he does mine last and leaves it open. I often end up closing it myself after he's gone. So is it really fair that I pay that much more?