Assessments
The Board has approved the 2025 Great Northwest Operations budget and with that will bring a modest assessment increase for 2025, raising the annual amount from $308 to $314 — a 1.95% adjustment, or $6 more than last year. For the past few years, we’ve been able to maintain stable assessments, but a rise in operating costs, particularly a significant increase in our insurance premiums, has made this adjustment necessary. Unfortunately, like many other organizations, we’re seeing higher insurance rates across the board, which have affected our overall budget despite no specific incidents.
In addition to the premium increase, we are proactively addressing maintenance concerns. Our aging trees within the greenbelt areas have increasingly become a concern, with some beginning to fall. To manage this effectively, we’ll be investing in a professional tree survey to assess the health of the greenbelt and create a sustainable, long-term management plan.
We want to communicate this change early, prior to members receiving their statements in December. Please note that the staff does not have a role in budget approval; if you have concerns or feedback, feel free to reach out to the Board of Directors at an upcoming board meeting where we have “Member Voice”. Like you, they are residents and work to keep assessments as low as possible while ensuring the association’s needs are met. Thank you for your understanding and continued support in maintaining our community.
Collection Process:
We want to inform you that statements for the 2025 annual assessments will be mailed out in the first week of December 2024. The assessment amount for 2025 is set at $314.00 and is due on January 1, 2025. There is a 30-day grace period through February 3, 2025, to pay your assessments and avoid any penalties. To avoid collection costs, please ensure your account is paid in full or that you have entered into a payment plan agreement before 6 pm on February 3, 2025.
Important Notes:
Every year, in December, the annual statement is mailed to the homeowner address on file. In February, March, and throughout the year, delinquent notices are mailed. In addition, Great Northwest’s staff may attempt to contact homeowners by email or telephone. Therefore, it is important and the responsibility of homeowners to notify Great Northwest of any contact changes including address changes.
How to Pay Your 2025 Assessments:
The Great Northwest office will not accept cash payments under any circumstances. Please see the list below for the acceptable payment methods and for Vantaca portal sign up information.
(We Do Not Accept Cash)
· Online—Visit owners.greatnorthwest.org to login. All E-Check payments are processed free of charge. However, a service fee applies for all debit or credit card transactions. First-time users must Sign Up to Vantaca Portal, please see below.
· Auto Payments—To make auto payments in the Vantaca Portal, click on “Make a Payment” in the Dashboard Screen. Then click on “Online payment” when directed to the Billing Screen. Afterwards, click on “Make Payment” when directed to the CIT Screen. Finally, click on “Sign Up” when directed to the First Citizens Bank.
· Mail—To make a payment by mail, detach the remittance coupon at the bottom of your annual statement and mail it with your check or money order to the P.O. Box stated on the coupon.
(The Options Below May Delay Payment Processing)
· Drop Off Box— Drop-off your check payment or money order with your statement coupon in a sealed envelope at any time. The white drop box is located outside the front door of our office building at 8809 Timberwilde (across the street from Timberwilde Elementary School).
· Telephone—Contact the main office at 210-681-2983 to make a payment over the telephone using a credit or debit card. Please note that a 2.95% service fee applies for all transactions, and we do not accept American Express.
· In office—Visit our office Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 6 PM if you require a receipt or need to set up a payment plan.
TO SIGN UP TO VANTACA PORTAL:
Visit owners.greatnorthwest.org, if you have a portal key, click on "Sign up" and complete the information requested. First-time users should click at the bottom on the link "I don't have a portal key or account number”, complete the information requested and click on “Sign up”. Afterwards, you will receive a registration key by email.
Payment Plan Agreements:
The Great Northwest offers payment plans agreements if you are unable to pay your assessments in full. A payment plan agreement offers the option to pay-off account balances with affordable monthly payments and may eliminate collection costs and attorney referral.
When entering into a payment plan agreement, the homeowner commits to paying assessments in installments on specified dates, and in return, the association agrees not to impose collection costs.
If the homeowner does not fulfill the obligation of making monthly payments, they are in default, rendering the agreement null and void. In addition, the association may add back any collection costs previously omitted and may refer the account to the association’s attorney.
Finally, the association may deny the payment plan agreement to homeowners who have defaulted in the previous two years. If you are interested in entering into a payment plan agreement, please contact the main office at 210-681-2983 for more information.
For answers to any further questions, feel free to contact our accounting department. Reach out via email at accountant@greatnorthwest.org
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