Email Newsletter – Draft

Greetings from the Board – October 2026

Greetings from the Board:

This month we are preparing the 2027 VCA annual budget so now is a good time to provide members a sense of what goes into the workings of the VCA finances and budget process.

VCA Financial Management Process

The Finance Review Committee, the First Service Residential (FSR) Accounting Professionals, and the FSR Management Staff all work diligently and ethically to assure responsible financial management on behalf of all the members of the Vistoso Community Association.

The accounting team at FSR carries out the day-to-day financial activities and FSR also provides management services for the VCA.  The Finance Review Committee fulfills a critical oversight and approval role providing a monthly review, analysis, and approval of the FSR prepared financial statements and supporting materials. Additionally, as Treasurer, I am responsible to review and approve all Invoices for vendor payment. A snapshot of the financial condition is available for review in the minutes of the Finance Review Committee meetings. The VCA Treasurer’s Report and detailed VCA financial reports are emailed to members as part of the General Session Board Meeting agenda and meeting materials.  Here are the fundamental financial metrics submitted to the Board of Directors each month:

•     Operating Fund Balance
•     Current and Foreseen Cash Needs
•     The Reserve Fund Balance
•     Liquidity Strength
•     Accounts Receivable
•     Accounts Payable
•     Total Income
•     Total Expenses
•     Significant Financial Issues

Budget

The Finance Review Committee is responsible for overseeing the preparation of VCA’s Annual Budget in concert with FSR professionals; the Committee prepares a projection of financial needs for the upcoming year.  The Committee first approves the Budget at the Committee level before presenting it to the Board of Directors (BOD) for approval and adoption at the October General BOD meeting open to the membership.  After the BOD approval, the Budget becomes the road map for upcoming financial matters for the year ahead.

Reserve Study

Every year VCA retains the services of a Reserve Study professional who reports information regarding useful lives and replacement cost of all the VCA’s common assets. Common assets reviewed include park equipment, parking lots, playgrounds, and other amenities. Once the report is received, FSR professionals and the Finance Review Committee evaluate asset replacement needs and include a monthly contribution to the Reserve Fund in the budget. This contribution to Reserves totals $80,000 per month for the current year. Our current Reserve Fund is 79% funded with over $4 million under the investment management of Morgan Stanley and FSR professionals.

Finally, the monitoring of VCA financial performance throughout the budget year is performed by FSR management and is monitored by the Finance Committee and the Board of Directors monthly. The results of that review are reported to VCA membership in the form of a monthly Treasurer’s Report, and inclusion of VCA’s full financial statements in the monthly General Board meeting materials. The goal is to keep the VCA in a strong financial position through 2027 and beyond.

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Joe Affinati – VCA Treasurer

Snapshot – October 2026

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VCA Staff

It is my pleasure to announce that Angelina Ochoa has joined the VCA team as our new Administrative Assistant. Prior to joining VCA, Angelina worked for the Department of Economic Security assisting families and individuals in accessing essential support services. She also served in a leadership role, helping guide and support fellow staff members.

In her free time, Angelina enjoys spending time with her family and pets, as well as cooking, baking, and reading. She is excited to begin her journey with VCA and looks forward to serving the Vistoso Community. Please join me in welcoming Angelina Ochoa to the team!

2027 Budget Process

The Board of Directors will hold a Budget Workshop with the Finance Committee in early October to review the proposed 2027 operating and reserve budgets for VCA and Siena.

Following the workshop and any recommended revisions, the Board will consider adoption of the 2027 budgets and the establishment of the corresponding assessment rates at the General Session meeting scheduled for October 29, 2026.

Monument Lighting

The installation of the solar lighting system at the Sonoran Vista entryway monuments is completed. Additional neighborhood monument upgrades are being considered as part of next year’s budget review process.

Morning Vista Development

The Architectural Landscape Review Committee recommendations for this project will be discussed at the General Session meeting on September 24, 2026. This proposed development will be established as a Sub-Association within Rancho Vistoso and will consist of 18 townhomes located along Rancho Vistoso Boulevard.

Fall Yard Sale

The Community Fall Yard Sale is scheduled for Saturday, October 3, from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Participants are encouraged to use ZeeMaps, our interactive map, to advertise their sale location and featured items. Sellers can add their address, list items for sale, and make it easy for shoppers to find them with turn-by-turn directions right to their door.

Easy instructions and additional details are available on the community website, Facebook page, and in email blasts sent to residents. Step-by-step guidance is provided to help you get started. Be sure to mark your calendars and start planning for a great day of shopping and selling!

Irrigation Project

This year’s irrigation repair project includes improvements along Maspalomas, Woodburne, Hidden Springs, and within the Siena Community. To date, repairs have been completed in the first two phases, Maspalomas and Woodburne, and work began along Hidden Springs this week. These areas were identified for repairs based on findings from a recent water audit.

The improvements are designed to enhance system performance and promote water conservation throughout the community. Funding for this project represents an important investment in maintaining our landscape infrastructure while supporting the long-term health, sustainability, and appearance of the community.

We appreciate residents’ patience as this work progresses and look forward to the benefits these improvements will provide for years to come.

Bell Tower Artificial Turf Replacement

The Bell Tower Monument Enhancement Project will soon be underway.

As the existing artificial turf has reached the end of its useful life and the association continues its commitment to reducing water consumption, the Board has approved a plan to replace the turf with decorative rock and boulders while also updating the irrigation within the planting beds. These improvements will create a refreshing, attractive appearance while supporting the community’s long-term water conservation goals and reducing maintenance needs.

Residents can look forward to a new look at the Vistoso Highlands Monument in the near future. This enhancement reflects the association’s ongoing commitment to maintaining and improving the beauty and sustainability of your community.

Photography Contest

The Association is excited to launch a Photography Contest that gives members the opportunity to showcase their talent while capturing the beauty and character of Rancho Vistoso. Additional contest and submission details will be shared soon. In the meanwhile, start gathering your best photos and save the date.

All photo submissions must be received by Friday, October 9, 2026. Contest winners will be announced at the Fall Event.

Fall Event

The Community Fall Event this year will be at Moore Loop Park on Saturday, October 24, from 8:00 AM until 11:00 AM.Our Police and Fire Departments will be joining in the celebration of our community. All residents are invited to join the fun.There will be a Halloween costume contest at 10:00 AM, and the winners of the Community Photography Contest will be announced.

Don’t miss this chance to connect with others in the community.

Hohokam Park

Hohokam Park is getting a fresh new look this year, with several exciting improvement projects on the way. Currently, the grass areas are being reseeded, and access to these areas has been roped off. We appreciate your patience and understanding while we make this improvement for you. The tennis court fencing project has concluded, and the wind screens will be reinstalled soon.

Other planned upgrades include new playground equipment, updated site furnishings, and refurbishment of the dog park surface. All these improvements will give an uplift to this beloved park and bring enjoyment to our residents for years to come.

2026 Capital Projects

The following capital projects have been slated and budgeted for 2026:

• Refurbish Entryway Monuments at RVB & Oracle Rd.
• Irrigation Repairs – Maspalomas, Hidden Springs, and Woodburne Dr. from RVB to Wildlife Ridge Park, as well as the park. The Board selected AAA Landscape for this project. ($203,041)
• Refurbish Monument Signage – The Board approved the refurbishment proposals for Stone Terrace, Hohokam Park, Somerset Canyon, and Monticello Monuments. ($9,776.97)
• Replenish Playground Wood Fiber at Moore Loop Park – ($8,125)
• Playground Equipment Replacement at Hohokam Park – ($123,860)
• Park Furniture Replacement – This project would replace picnic tables, benches, trash cans, and barbecues at Hohokam Park. ($109,640)
• Replacement of Drinking Fountain – This project has been delayed due to the current condition of the fountain at Torreno Park East.
• Common Area Wall Repairs
• Painting of Common Area Walls, Rails, Bollards, and Tennis Court Fencing – The Board selected Facelift Painting ($65,815) for this project. This project includes the following neighborhoods: St. Andrews 1 & 2, Stone Terrace, Bella Vista, Maravilla, Somerset Canyon, Stone Field, Monticello, Cortona, and Vistoso Crossing.
• Replace Bell Tower Artificial Turf – ($14,441.55) The Board of Directors has approved the transition of artificial turf to decorative rock in this location. The irrigation system for the plant beds at the monument will be updated.
• Hohokam Dog Park Replenish – Bids are being solicited for this project.
• Asphalt Parking Lots – Sunset Ridge Park – This project is being delayed.
• Drainage Basin Mitigate/Repair – The Board has approved Bogardus Engineering’s proposal to assist the association with this project.
• Granite Replacement – This project for the medians located in Center Pointe has been rescheduled to coincide with the La Cañada medians and ROW.

VCA Paint Palette

Homeowners who are considering painting their homes can view the new paint colors online at the Dunn-Edwards website or on the community website.

Approved Color Palette:

• Dunn-Edwards – Rancho Vistoso Master Community Approved Color Palette
• Community Website: NEW-2025-Rancho_Vistoso_Master_Community-Approved_Color_Palette.pdf

Before starting your project, please submit an Architectural and Landscaping Change Form (ALCF), which can be found on the community website:

Architectural and Landscaping Change Form: ALCF-01.15.26-Final.docx

If you have any questions, please contact the association office at askvca@ranchovistosohoa.com.

Did You Know – October 2026

The VCA has a Facebook Page!

Did you know that Facebook is used by over 71% of people 50 and older and that 38% of adults get their news from Facebook?^{(2025 Pew Research)}

To help better connect with our members and keep them informed, the Vistoso Community Association (VCA) added a Facebook page on a trial basis in April.  Since that time the page has attracted 111 followers.  Over the past four weeks, our Facebook content received 1,197 views, recorded 211 visits. We also gained 27 net new followers, bringing our total to 111 followers—a 32% increase from last month. 

Residents are also interacting with our posts and clicking links to learn more about community activities on the VCA website.  These results are encouraging as we continue building Facebook as an additional communication channel for our community.

Keep in touch.  Stayed informed.  Follow the VCA Facebook Page!