Update from the GM: January 2026 Board Meeting Recap – Financials, Governance, and What’s Ahead

As we continue to move forward into 2026, I want to share a high-level recap of the January 22^nd  Board of Directors meeting, along with several important community updates and clarifications. My goal, as always, is transparency, consistency, and ensuring residents understand how the Association operates and why certain decisions are made.

January 22, 2026 Board Meeting Highlights

The Board approved the December 11, 2025, Board Meeting Minutes. From a financial standpoint, 2025 closed exceptionally strong. The Association ended the year with a net operating surplus of more than $980,000. This outcome reflects disciplined financial oversight, responsible spending, and continued progress toward long-term stability. It also positions the Association well as we move into a new year of planned projects and ongoing operations. The Board conducted its regular review of standing policies to ensure alignment with the governing documents, current operational practices, and applicable statutory requirements.

In accordance with its fiduciary responsibilities, the Board also took action on a small number of accounts with significant unpaid assessment balances. This included authorization to proceed with a non-judicial foreclosure on one account and approval to file suit on additional delinquent accounts. These actions are not taken lightly. They are necessary to ensure consistency, fairness, and fiscal responsibility to the broader membership.

Office Operations and Assessment Payments

The Association onsite office remains closed due to flood damage and ongoing mitigation. While road conditions have improved, onsite services are not available at this time. To account for recent weather impacts and the flooding, the Board approved an extension for 2026 annual assessment payments through February 6, 2026. During the closure, online payment options remain the most reliable way to submit assessments. As with many utilities and service providers, debit and credit card payments include a processing fee set by the payment processor, not the Association or management. While the mailbox is being monitored, payment processing is occurring remotely. Residents who have already mailed checks should allow time for processing and should not place stop payments on those checks, as doing so can create delays, and additional charges. Additionally, while mitigation crews and insurance representatives are onsite as part of the recovery effort, they are not Association staff and are not able to accept or handle payments on behalf of the Association. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and patience as operations continue remotely and recovery efforts remain underway.

Payment Options

• Online: Secure payment through the Resident Portal
• By Phone: Call the Resident Services line at 855-947-2636

2026 Annual Assessments | Extension Granted

On Wednesday, January 28^th , the Board approved the short extension (mentioned above) for the 2026 annual assessments. As stated above, members who have not yet submitted payment now have until February 6, 2026, to do so. As part of this extension, late fees that would normally be assessed on January 31^st  will not be applied. For members paying online, please note that electronic payments do not post immediately. Allow up to 48 hours for payments to reflect on your account. Annual assessments are required under the Association’s governing documents, including the CC&Rs. Unlike some communities that assess monthly or quarterly, Stonebridge Ranch assesses annually. This structure is dictated by the governing documents and supported by the practical realities of managing a community of 9,467 homes. Annual billing allows for more efficient administration, predictable budgeting, and reduced overhead, all of which ultimately benefit the membership.

Collections and Enforcement | A Clarification

We continue to receive communications from members whose accounts have already been referred to the Association’s attorney for collection. Once an account reaches this stage, all communication related to the debt must occur directly with legal counsel. What this means in practical terms is important to understand. Requests to meet with the Board of Directors, appeal directly to individual Board members, or seek intervention from management are no longer available once an account is with the attorney. At that point, the opportunity to request a hearing before the Board has passed. Any discussion regarding payment arrangements, settlement offers, or dispute resolution must be directed to the Association’s attorney, who is authorized to handle those matters on behalf of the Association.

This is not a discretionary decision by management or the Board. Texas law establishes a defined notice and hearing process before an account is referred to legal counsel. Once that process is complete and the referral is made, the Association and Board are legally required to step back to preserve due process, consistency, and the integrity of the enforcement process.

It is also important to clarify the role of the Board of Directors. The Board is composed of seven (7) homeowners who are either elected by the membership or appointed in accordance with the governing documents. Board members serve in a governance capacity. They do not manage day-to-day operations, negotiate individual accounts, or engage in one-on-one meetings regarding delinquent assessments. The Board President does not make house calls, intervene in individual disputes, or override established legal processes. This structure exists to ensure fairness, avoid preferential treatment, and protect both the Association and its volunteer leaders. HOA assessments are not optional dues. Assessments are a mandatory obligation tied to property ownership and fund the maintenance, operations, and amenities that serve the entire community. Enforcement is applied uniformly. Accounts are not singled out, and actions are taken only after all required notices and timelines have been satisfied. While no Board wants to incur legal costs, failure to enforce the governing documents would be unfair to the many residents who have already paid their assessments in full.

2026 Annual Meeting and Board Elections

Planning is well underway for the 2026 Annual Meeting and Board Elections. The Meet the Candidates forum has been rescheduled to Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. There are two open Board seats this election cycle, and five candidates have submitted their intent to serve. Official Annual Meeting notices and election materials are currently being finalized and will be distributed shortly. Serving on the Board of Directors of Stonebridge Ranch is a meaningful commitment. Board members are fiduciaries with a legal and ethical obligation to act in the best interest of the entire community. This role requires time, preparation, and a willingness to engage in complex discussions around finances, policy enforcement, long-term planning, and community priorities.  Board service is not ceremonial. It is governance work that directly impacts the long-term health, stability, and quality of life of our community. The Meet the Candidates forum is an important opportunity for residents to hear directly from those seeking to serve and to better understand what Board leadership truly entails.

The 2026 Annual Meeting and Election will take place on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Crosspoint Church.

Virginia Parkway Incident | Status Update

As we approach the one-year mark since the Virginia Parkway incident, I want to provide transparency on where things stand. The originally assigned adjuster is no longer with the carrier, and outreach has taken place with the replacement adjuster to move the claim forward and get the work started. We will continue to pursue resolution and provide updates as progress is made.

Official Communications and Social Media

Stonebridge Ranch maintains official communication channels, including the community website, weekly Friday Flash updates, and official social media platforms. These channels are managed to ensure accurate, timely, and consistent information.

The Association does not manage or monitor resident-created social media pages or forums. While residents may choose to engage on those platforms, they should not be relied upon as official sources of information. For accurate information or questions, residents are encouraged to attend Board meetings, email STONEB@ciramail.com, visit the community website, or follow the Association’s official social media channels. See all platforms in one place here.

Coffee and Connect Update

Due to recent weather conditions, we regrettably had to cancel our scheduled Coffee and Connect. Once conditions improve, we will announce a new date promptly. I look forward to engaging directly with residents.

HOA 101 | A Closer Look at Association Governance 

A homeowners association does not begin with a Board, management company, or rules. It begins with land and legal recordation.

Stonebridge Ranch exists as an HOA because a developer recorded restrictions against the land before homes were ever sold. That recordation is what legally creates the framework that governs every lot today.

In plain terms:

• First, land is platted and recorded with the county. Plats define the boundaries of lots, common areas, rights-of-way, easements, and infrastructure. This establishes the physical and legal layout of the community.
• Next, the developer records a Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) against that land. This is the foundational document of the HOA. The CC&Rs run with the land, meaning they automatically bind every current and future owner. This creates mandatory membership, assessment obligations, use restrictions, and enforcement authority.
• Only after the Declaration is recorded does the Association entity come into play. The developer forms a nonprofit corporation and records Articles of Incorporation to give the Association legal standing to act, contract, collect assessments, and enforce the Declaration.
• The Bylaws then define how that corporation governs itself. They establish the Board of Directors, elections, terms, meetings, voting rights, and fiduciary responsibilities. The Bylaws do not create authority over owners. They govern how the Association exercises the authority already granted by the Declaration.
• Finally, the Board adopts policies and resolutions to implement and apply the governing documents consistently and lawfully.

This structure is intentional. It prevents individual decision-making, selective enforcement, and informal exceptions. It ensures all owners are treated consistently, obligations are enforced fairly, and the Association remains legally defensible.

When assessment obligations or use restrictions are enforced, matters are referred to the attorney, or waiver requests are denied, those actions are not personal. They are the result of a layered legal framework that existed long before any current homeowner or Board member served the community.

Understanding this framework helps explain why enforcement follows a defined process, why Board members do not intervene individually, and why management cannot override recorded obligations.

This is governance, not preference. The Board does not invent authority. It exercises authority delegated through recorded land restrictions and state law.

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