News

Since its founding in 1986, SAMLARC has provided a high-value community for its 13,646 Members and their families. SAMLARC’s reputation as a welcoming and well-maintained community is sustained through careful stewardship of the Corporation’s assets and finances.  

SAMLARC’s annual budget is built to realistically address SAMLARC’s expenses, initiatives, and long-term savings. After careful consideration by SAMLARC’s Budget and Cash Flow Committee, which takes into account industry forecasts, historical expenses, management recommendations, and committee recommendations, the Board of Directors has approved the 2026 fiscal year operating budget. As approved at the October 14, 2025, Budget Workshop, SAMLARC’s monthly assessment rate will be $91 per unit, effective January 1, 2026. 

This budget protects high-quality services and proactive management of the community’s assets, including 13,000+ homes, hundreds of acres of landscape, and beloved amenities like the Lago Santa Margarita and Beach Club. 

2026 Assessment Drivers 

The budget increase reflects rising costs across several areas: 

• Labor & Materials Markets: As minimum wage, inflation, and employee retention pressurize the labor market, vendors need to adjust their contract rates. Additionally, tariffs and scarcity are creating new challenges with the procurement of materials. 

• Utilities: Over the coming year, SAMLARC anticipates utility rate hikes, including a projected 12% increase in electricity, 11% increase in gas, and 9% increase in irrigation water costs. 

• Insurance premiums are expected to rise again in 2026 as California faces fallout from the 2025 wildfires. 

• With more than 300 acres of parks, greenbelts, trails, and common areas, landscape maintenance and irrigation represent approximately 38% of SAMLARC’s operating expenses. 

The 2026 assessment ensures that service levels will be maintained thanks to careful stewardship of SAMLARC’s physical assets and strategic vendor partnership. The Board emphasized maintaining high-quality amenities and proactive asset management, including a continued reserve funding level of at least 90% to ensure timely common area repairs and replacements as SAMLARC turns 40 in 2026! 

The Board’s fiduciary responsibility includes driving a budget that reflects ever-evolving community needs and economic conditions.  

Over the past forty years, SAMLARC’s monthly assessment has increased from $34 to $91 – an average of a little over $1 per year since the community began. As homeowners, the Board understands that assessment increases impact household budgets. Appropriately setting the assessment rate each year ensures that families can enjoy well-maintained common areas, events, and future improvements. 

The Board will continue to support transparency, long-term viability, Member engagement, and our community’s unique character and charm. 

Per Civil Code, the 2026 budget documents will be available online at SAMLARC.org/homeowners in mid-November. Printed copies can also be requested via email at info@samlarc.org.