Fellow TL Owners, Date: 10 February 2023
I wanted to take the time to explain a few things on behalf of the Board of Directors (BOD) that were part of the decision-making process for 2023. As you all are aware, the last 3 years have been very difficult on many businesses and families alike. Treasure Lake has not been exempted from the effects and demands that other businesses have suffered from in our area.
Prices have increased exponentially, some much more than others. Many of these increases range from Utilities, Rock and Roll Café Supplies, Pool Supplies, Maintenance Materials needed to up-keep the property and rising Personal Property Taxes. These are only a few examples of what Treasure Lake has had to absorb recently and over time.
Your BOD has been working very hard behind the scenes to try to keep expenses down and look for other ways we could save costs throughout 2022. Examples of some of the things the BOD has been doing is: Getting rid of older Maintenance and Housekeeping vehicles that were costing us more than they were worth to operate daily, leasing new Security vehicles that will cost much less to operate, cutting down on Menu Items at the Rock and Roll Café to eliminate the cost on items which have skyrocketed in price, some of which take weeks to even get those supplies from the vendors. We changed our supplier for Pool Supplies and are buying items in bulk when merchandise becomes available. There were times in 2022 we couldn’t even get many of our critically needed supplies.
All of this has taken a toll on our financial stability at Treasure Lake. In December 2022, because of circumstances completely out of the control of Treasure Lake, the BOD had to go into the emergency reserve funds once again just to pay the MO Personal Property Taxes on time. This was by no means something Treasure Lake did to cause this problem. In the same month the reserves were again tapped into just to make Employee Payroll for the month of December 2022. The purpose of this letter is to help our fellow Owners understand the BOD felt the need to take major steps to ensure the financial stability for Treasure Lake and ALL our investments in our property. Over the last 3 years almost all businesses have had financial struggles in much the same manner as Treasure Lake. Treasure Lake has seen a reduction of over $400k to our bottom line.
With all this said, your BOD decided in January 2023 to increase some costs to use Treasure Lakes’ facilities. This was not an easy decision, and many discussions took place throughout the year, not just the month of January 2023. The BOD feels it has tried to effectively reduce costs, even sending out a letter asking owners to help conserve utility usage to reduce costs.
On Wednesday February 8th, 2023, the President of Treasure Lake Camping Club INC. called for a Special Meeting with all Board of Directors. All BOD members were present for this meeting except for John Harris whom was out of state, to discuss the following topics: Treasure Lake Camping Club INC “Official” Facebook Page, Treasure Lake Phone App and Treasure Lake Website, Treasure Lake YouTube Channel and Board Member Discipline/Inappropriate Actions. Finally a Letter from the TL President to be posted on all avenues of Communication.
This meeting was called by President Steveson because of the many, many comments placed on the TL Business page that were appropriate and respectful but also some that were very libelous and inappropriate.
The results of the Special BOD Meeting for February 8th are as follows:
- Treasure Lake Camping INC. Facebook page will be transferred over from a Facebook Groups page to an Official Business Page and only the Business of the Park will be allowed to be posted by the Administrator and assigned Moderators. This change will take place by March 1st, 2023.
- Treasure Lake Website (https://tlresort.com/contact) is where Owners will be able to send in their comments, questions, concerns, etc. and those will be sent to the proper personnel for follow-up as needed. This change will take place immediately.
- There will be four avenues of communication used going forward to our members except for the Election Process which is governed by the TL By-Laws. With the cost of over $4000.00 to pay for only ONE mailing to our Owners we simply can’t justify sending letters out every time there is a change in the business of Treasure Lake. The three avenues will be: Treasure Lake Camping Club INC “Official Business Page”, Treasure Lake Mobile Application, Treasure Lake YouTube site and the Treasure Lake Website. These changes will take effect immediately.
- Periodically there will be Live Broadcast to owners from the Leadership and/or the BOD on topics relevant to events throughout the year. These broadcasts will be publicized prior to the event just as the scheduled Board of Directors meetings and aired for owners to see. The Treasure Lake YouTube Channel is:
(Treasure Lake RV Resort in Branson Missouri – https://www.youtube.com/@treasurelakervresort765
I know this is not the best of times for anyone to have to deal with and it seems like everything around us just keeps going up and up. And it is!! We as a BOD along with the Management of Treasure Lake did not like having to resort to these changes, unfortunately we felt like we were forced to make these changes for 2023 going forward. But the BOD is very serious about ensuring our children have a place to call their Home Park just like so many other owners.
I would encourage you to please, reach out to the Leadership, or a Board Member with your concerns or respectful comments. Some of the things I have seen online do not represent the Family & Christian Park values that have always made us proud.
Lee Steveson
Treasure Lake Camping Club INC, President