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As the Master Homeowners Association, SAMLARC proudly serves residents of its 13,646 doors within Rancho Santa Margarita. SAMLARC is committed to providing safe, welcoming amenities; caring for the community’s landscapes and Lake; hosting dynamic lifestyle experiences; maintaining high property values; and protecting the Association's ongoing viability. This commitment has led to forty years of community-wide success – and the Board of Directors looks forward to supporting the next forty years and beyond.

Each year, SAMLARC undertakes a detailed budgeting process to ensure the community's amenities, programs, facilities, and landscapes continue to meet resident expectations while maintaining long-term financial stability. FirstService Residential’s Management team partners with each of the SAMLARC Committees to review current services, anticipated expenses, and potential improvements, as  part of the  recommendations for the Board’s consideration in the next year’s budget. The Budget and Cash Flow Committee is tasked with working closely with Management to review current operations, anticipated expenses, reserve funding needs, and cash flow projections before recommending a draft budget for Board consideration.

The Annual Budget Workshop was held October 13, 2026; an Open Session Board Meeting that SAMLARC Members are welcome to attend.  The Board reviewed  operating expenses as well as the Reserve Study, and discussed market trends and financial drivers impacting the Association’s budget. After thoughtful consideration, the Board approved the 2027 assessment amount of $95 per unit, per month. The assessment rate will become effective January 1, 2027. 

A critical part of the budget development process is maintaining the Association's reserve fund, particularly as SAMLARC continues to age. California law requires homeowners associations to conduct an annual reserve study to evaluate the future repair, replacement, and refurbishment needs of community assets. SAMLARC's Reserve and Operating Cash Policy aims to keep reserves funded at 90% minimum: an excellent sign of fiscal health.  As the stewards of a forty-year-old community, the Board recognizes that many of SAMLARC’s facility components (e.g., pool heaters, baseball fields, and pools) may require more intensive repairs or full replacement. SAMLARC’s 90% goal helps ensure that major infrastructure and amenity improvements can be completed without creating significant financial strain in future years.

At the same time, the operating budget must also fund day-to-day community operations. SAMLARC's largest operating expense continues to be landscape maintenance and irrigation, which represents approximately 36% of total operating costs. In 2026, SAMLARC completed a multi-year plan to convert 12 acres of nonfunctional turf into water-wise landscapes, reducing regular maintenance and overall water usage in those areas, which also brings the Association into compliance with AB 1572 well ahead of schedule. As SAMLARC’s largest asset, landscape irrigation and maintenance will always be a major component of the Association budget. Nevertheless, while utility rates continue to rise, annual vendor and labor rates increase, and the infrastructure of SAMLARC’s 300-acre landscape continues to age, SAMLARC will continue to explore sustainability initiatives that promote healthy landscapes, irrigation efficiencies, and cost savings. 

Other significant budget drivers include utilities, park and facility maintenance, insurance, and professional services. Water, electricity, and natural gas costs are expected to increase, while insurance premiums continue to reflect broader market conditions. Like many associations across California, SAMLARC continues to face uncertainty in the insurance market. To prepare responsibly, Management works closely with insurance advisors and the Insurance Review Committee to track market trends and estimate future premium costs: the 2027 budget includes a modest placeholder increase to help ensure the Association remains protected without compromising services or long-term financial stability. Contracted services throughout the community are also experiencing inflationary pressures related to labor, materials, and operating costs.

The budget also supports the community experiences residents value most, including recreation programs, special events, communications, and community engagement initiatives. In 2026, SAMLARC will refresh its quarterly newsletter, Rancho Living. The magazine highlights passionate community members, important projects, and information on SAMLARC’s long-term goals. One large-scale edition will be sent to all SAMLARC Members in the spring, with three shorter editions mailed throughout the remainder of the year to Members who opt in (free of charge). The Board is also excited to announce that teen-focused events will be part of the 2027 calendar! As Rancho Santa Margarita’s population changes, SAMLARC hopes to host fun and memorable experiences where teens and families can connect within the community.

Every annual budget reflects the Board’s commitment to responsible stewardship of the community that thousands of families call home. From caring for common areas to planning new ways to connect with one another, each funding decision is made with both today's needs and tomorrow's opportunities in mind. Through careful planning and ongoing investment, SAMLARC remains dedicated to supporting the places, services, and experiences that enrich life in Rancho Santa Margarita. The Board appreciates the opportunity to serve every SAMLARC Member.