P.O. Box 429, Cherokee Village, Arkansas 72525 USA 870-257-5137
The following is intended to outline just what the responsibilities of the District are and how it operates. Should anyone have a question, please feel free to contact the S.I.D. offices near Town Center.
The official name of the District is a tongue-twister. It is "The Cherokee Village Roads and Streets, Recreation, and Fire Department, Suburban Improvement District No. 1." It is commonly referred to as the Improvement District, and even more commonly as The S.I.D., or simply SID. Please bear in mind Cherokee Village was the first Planned Retirement Village in the U.S., and became the prototype for many others to follow; however, here new ground was being broken. The District was formed in 1969 to accept responsibility on behalf of the 25,000 property owners for the custody, the maintenance, and the operation of all the amenities donated to the property owners by the developer, Cooper Communities, Inc. In order to accomplish this, Cooper Communities deeded said amenities to the Suburban Improvement District. These amenities currently include seven lakes and dams (617 acres), two 18-hole golf courses, (276.7 acres)and pro shops, South Golf Course Restaurant, Thunderbird and Omaha Recreation Centers, along with their swimming pools, playgrounds, and miniature golf courses, North Recreation Center, Village Playhouse, Escalante Park, Tennis Courts, Horeshoe Courts, Maintenance complexes near both the North and South Golf Courses, Marinas on both Lakes Thunderbird and Omaha, Sequoyah Beach, Campgrounds, Baseheart Station, plus three other fire stations, and a number of parks, plus other buildings and facilities.
The District exists under the authority of the laws of the State of Arkansas and it is governed by a Board of three Commisssioners. The original commissioners were appointed by the court of the Third Judicial Circuit Court of Arkansas. However, when vacancies occur, replacements are appointed by the surviving commissioners, per approval of the Third Judicial Circuit Court.
The Board of Commissioners has the obligation and the authority under the law to employ the personnel, to establish operating rules, to assess levies against the properties, and generally to protect, maintain, and manage all these facilities, and to take any other actions it deems necessary in keeping with its basic charter to provide recreational facilities, and fire protection service. The Board employs a Director of Property Owner Services, Jimmy Chandler, who is the administrative officer over Parks and Recreation, the Fire Department, and the District Office. David Webb is our Director of Golf Operations and is the administrative officer over the Golf Course Pro Shops and Golf Course Maintenance. David is also a qualified Professional Golf Instructor (PGA Golf Professional). The board establishes policies and the Directors execute those policies.
The District levies assessments against each lot based upon the estimated value that the combined total of all the facilities, amenities, and services have to each lot. The levy is assessed against the lot only, without regard as to whether a home is built on the lot. Thus, assessments are paid equally by all the 25,000 lot owners, whether resident or non-resident. It is important for everyone to keep in mind that approximately 80% of S.I.D. assessment income is derived from non-resident property owners. An average 90 foot lot carries benefit appraisals totaling $1,325. If a lot is located directly on one of the lakes or golf courses, there is an extra valuation for those benefits. The assessment rate for 2003 will be 10%, which applied against an average lot valuation of $1,325, will result in an assessment of $132.50. This assessment will be included on the respective county tax bills identified as "Improvement District." The total levies assessed each year, along with the fees S.I.D. collects for use of the facilities, together make up the total income of the District, which is used to defray the costs of its operation.
In summary, the District maintains and operates all the recreational facilities (Parks and Recreation); Golf Courses, and a Fire Department, which provides round-the-clock service from the four fire stations for all 13,000 acres in the village. The S.I.D. has no authority to take any actions or to spend property owners' funds for anything that is not covered by these three authorizations.
Under the supervision of the Directors, the District has four Department heads, 42 full-time employees, 3 part-time employees, and approximately 50 seasonal employees during peak season.
Hopefully, we have given you a little insight into "What Is The S.I.D.", but in addition to the Board of Commissioners and the Administrative
Officers, who turn the wheels, what makes it work -- obviously, is the people.
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