Question 1

What is the purpose of an HOA?

Accepted Answer

Homeowner associations are private, not-for-profit companies that exist for the purpose of owning and maintaining areas in the community that are owned by the members in common. These include drainage areas, green spaces, playgrounds, pools, fountains, fencing, etc.

Question 2

Is membership in the HOA optional?

Accepted Answer

No, any person who purchases a home in Bozman Farms is automatically a member of the Association. Membership is mandatory, and ceases only when the person ceases to own property in the Association.

Question 3

Who is in charge of the Association?

Accepted Answer

An HOA is always governed by a Board of 5 Directors that are elected for 2-year terms. 
Your current board members are:
President - Wes Dorsey (elected 8/22)
Vice-President - Eugene Hauptmann (elected 8/23)
Secretary - Jeff Harris (elected 8/23)
Treasurer - Bryan Tonn (elected 8/22)
Member at Large - Bob Newton (elected 8/23)

Guardian Association Management is a management company hired by the Board of Directors to handle the day-to-day operations of the community.

Your Association Manager is Megan Mitchell.

Megan can be reached via email at bozmanfarmsmanager@guardianam.com (bozmanfarmsmanager@guardianam.com)or by phone at 469-304-0004.  You may also visit the Management Office at 1700 Wildwood Lane (Wildwood Pool) between the hours of 9am-4pm on weekdays.

Question 4

Will there be additional amenities in the community?

Accepted Answer

The development company has installed all the amenities that were included in the original site plan. 
 
The Board of Directors may choose to install future amenities, at the expense of the association. 
 
Most of the common property in Bozman has a utility or drainage easement, or both. This presents challenges in using it for any other purpose. Additionally, any new amenity would need to have adequate parking, which requires more land. In general, if there is open land, it is because building on it wasn't an option. That doesn't mean it cannot have recreational use, but it does mean that options for its use are limited.

Question 5

Why aren't there more amenities, or the kinds of amenities other HOAs have?"

Accepted Answer

The HOA developer decides what amenities will or will not be installed during the earliest of planning stages for each community they build.  Factors that influence this decision include the size or number of homes that can be built, access to appropriate common area, initial funding availability, budgetary constraints and city requirements or restrictions.

Question 6

How much are the dues? When are they due? Will they go up?

Accepted Answer

The annual assessments or dues are calculated each year by dividing the annual budget requirements by the number of homes or lots within the community.

The Board of Directors have the ability to increase the assessment by up to 10% over the prior year without homeowner approval. If there is an increase, homeowners will receive written notice at least thirty days prior to the due date.

Routine assessment increases are to be expected in order to cover maintenance and operations costs as the community ages.  These costs can be attributed to expected maintenance on community assets, unexpected damages to community property, professional management, and the unavoidable cost of inflation for goods and contracted services. 
 
The annual assessment is due on January 1st of every year and is considered late by January 15th.  late fees and interest are added to past due accounts every month until they are paid. 
 
 The assessment for 2024 is $550.

Automatic monthly payments will not prevent late fees unless they are set up in advance.

If you have any questions, you may reach out to your HOA Manager, Megan, via email at bozmanfarmsmanager@guardianam.com (bozmanfarmsmanager@guardianam.com)or by phone at 469-403-0004.  You may also stop by the office at 1700 Wildwood Lane.  Office hours are Monday - Friday from 9am-4pm.

Question 7

I didn’t get a statement with my HOA dues. Do I still have to pay?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We do send a statement to each homeowner, typically at the end of November. However, there is no requirement to do so, it is a courtesy.  Statements may have been misdelivered by the post office or overlooked with holiday mail. Homeowners are responsible for paying the assessment before the due date whether or not a statement is received.

Question 8

What if I don’t pay my assessment?

Accepted Answer

An association's only source of income is member assessments. Owners who do not pay their assessments are not meeting the obligations they agreed to upon purchase of their home, and are creating a maintenance burden for their neighbors.
The Board of Directors has an obligation to pursue collections on delinquent owners. Late fees and interest are added to the balance on the 15th of every month after the due date has passed.   Pool access cards will be deactivated if accounts remain delinquent. Accounts that are more than 120 days past due may be subject to a lien. The State of Texas allows an HOA to foreclose on owners who are delinquent in their dues.
For additional questions about payments, please see the Assessment Payment FAQ.

Question 9

Another HOA in Wylie has a lower assessment. Why?

Accepted Answer

No two HOAs are identical, so an apples-to-apples comparison is impossible. 
 
The assessment = the annual budget divided by the number of homes. 
 
If another HOA has lower dues, they are simply using different numbers in their equation.

Question 10

Does the HOA have meetings?

Accepted Answer

Yes. There is an annual meeting of the members every  year,. There may be special meetings called at other times of the year. Members receive written notice of meetings 10-30 days prior to the meeting date. 
 
The Board of Directors meets at least quarterly, more often if they have business that requires a meeting.

Notice of board meetings is posted on this site and sent by email, to those owners who subscribe to the email list, at least 144 hours prior to the meeting.  Homeowners are welcome to attend and observe board meetings, and there will usually be an open forum at which owners may address the board.

Question 11

What does the Board of Directors do? How can I be on the board?

Accepted Answer

The Board of Directors make all the decisions regarding the governance of the community. They contract with vendors, enforce the deed restrictions, oversee maintenance and "set the tone" for the community. 
 
Homeowner board members serve two year terms. Elections are held at membership meetings. When there are open seats, a call for candidates will be issued prior to the next membership meeting.

Question 12

How many board members are there?

Accepted Answer

There are a total of five seats on the board of directors. Each seat holds a two-year term, with 2-3 positions expiring and going back to election each year.

Question 13

What are the expectations and requirements of a board member?

Accepted Answer

Board members are expected to review association financial reports monthly, attend and participate in board meetings, and respond to correspondence from the association manager about HOA activity and projects.

Question 14

How do I run for the board?

Accepted Answer

A board of directors' candidacy form will be sent out by HOA Management about 2 months prior to the Annual Membership meeting.  If interested, complete and return the form to the Manager.  Once received, your name will be placed on the ballot that will be mailed with the annual meeting notice.

Question 15

Can candidates campaign?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Candidates can campaign, solicit votes, etc as long as they do not use association resources. For example, a candidate cannot request the resident email list maintained by the management company or host a campaign event on association common area. They may attend existing social events held in a common area to campaign, or host campaign events in their home or the home of a resident.

Question 16

Who is eligible to vote in the election? Who is eligible to run for the board?

Accepted Answer

Members of the association, meaning the owner of record on the deed, may vote. There is one vote per lot owned. If the property is owned by a trust, an officer of the trust may vote on its behalf. If the property is owned by a corporation, an officer of the corporation or its registered agent may vote on its behalf. 
 
Any resident of Bozman Farms is eligible to run for a seat on the board.

Question 17

How do we vote?

Accepted Answer

Voting is by written ballot, either in person or absentee. You will receive a notice of the election in the mail.  It will include an absentee ballot, which you can return by mail, email, fax or in person at the management office. You can also give it to any member attending the meeting. 
 
Members vote for open seats on the board.  The number of open seats will vary each year.  There is one vote per lot. You may not vote for the same person for all three seats since a person can only occupy one seat! 
 
The ballot, whether absentee or in person, must be completely filled out and signed by a person listed on the deed or, in the case of lots owned by a corporation or trust, an officer or managing agent of such.

Question 18

Can I get an electronic copy of the absentee ballot?

Accepted Answer

Electronic copies of the ballot can be obtained by reaching out to the HOA Manager.  You may reach the Manager via email at bozmanfarmsmanager@guardianam.com ()or by phone at 469-304-3004.

Question 19

How are the votes counted?

Accepted Answer

Ballots are reviewed by the manager to ensure they have been correctly filled out and, where possible, give owners an opportunity to cure invalid ballots. 
 
Volunteers will be solicited to perform the count at the election meeting. Volunteers must not be affiliated with any canddate. The vote tabulation will take place live, at the meeting, with results announced at the conclusion of the vote. 
 
Candidates may have a representative observe the counting. 
Results are announced at the meeting.  The candidates with the highest number of votes win the open seats on the board. 
 
Candidates have fifteen days to request a recount; the Texas Property Code details this process.

Question 20

What are deed restrictions?

Accepted Answer

Deed restrictions are essentially the community rules. They are set forth in your association's Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, which are also called the CCRs. You should have received a copy before you closed on your home - Texas state law requires the seller of a home in an HOA to provide them to the buyer. 
 
You can also view and download the CCRs on this website, under Forms and Documents.

Question 21

Am I allowed to...?

Accepted Answer

Questions about specific rules are best answered by reading the governing documents themselves, and asking your association manager for clarification if necessary. 
 
Don't rely on Facebook, NextDoor, or individual neighbors for advice on what is or isn't permitted.

Question 22

Do I need permission to make changes to my home or property?

Accepted Answer

Any change to your lot, or improvements on your lot that are permanent and or visible to the community require approval from the Architectural Review Committee. 
 
This includes - but is not limited to - fences, sheds, pools, flowerbed edging and tree rings, driveway extensions, solar panels, adding or removing shutters or gutters, patio covers, patio extensions, pergolas, hot tubs, fire pits, outdoor kitchens, flagpoles, wishing wells. If it can be seen from the street, or it is a permanent addition to your lot (that you would include if selling your home) you need to submit a modification request.

Question 23

How do I submit a modification request?

Accepted Answer

The application is on this website under the Forms and Documents page. Click on the submit application button and fill in the information for each drop-down menu. Be sure to include a detailed description of the change (with measurements, colors and materials) and upload all supporting documentation such as surveys, renderings, color samples, etc.  Once submitted, you will receive a response within 15 days.

Question 24

How are the community rules enforced?

Accepted Answer

The Board of Directors has established an enforcement and fining policy which can be viewed on this website under Forms and Documents. 
 
Owners are sent a written notice of violation and a request to comply within a certain time period, usually two weeks. If the violation remains unaddressed, the board can levy fines that increase as the violation remains unresolved. 
 
The board also has the authority to file a civil suit against an owner to obtain compliance. Since lawsuits are time consuming, expensive, and have uncertain outcomes, this is not an option that is typically employed with great frequency. 
 
If you have received a violation and wish to appeal, simply contact your association manager.

Question 25

How do I report a violation?

Accepted Answer

Homeowners can contact their association manger with violation concerns. The manager will follow up with an inspection. You need only report the address and the violation itself; additional details are not necessary. 
The violation enforcement process can be long, in order to comply with both the Association’s enforcement policy and state laws.  The continued presence of a violation does not necessarily mean that it has not been addressed.
Correspondence between an owner and the board of directors is confidential, so you will not receive updates on what violations or fines have been issued against an owner. 
The board of directors can only enforce violations of the governing documents. They cannot enforce city ordinances or mediate personal disputes between neighbors.

Question 26

I reported a violation and it is still there. Does this mean you didn't do anything about it?

Accepted Answer

No.

It may mean that a notice was sent and the owner ignored it. It may mean that a notice was sent and the owner requested additional time to correct the problem.

HOA violations often take time to resolve. The full enforcement and fining policy is available under the Documents tab of this site. Covenants are enforced via the process in that policy.

Question 27

Can the deed restrictions or rules be changed?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if enough owners want to change them. 
 
The governing documents can be amended if 60% of the membership votes to do so, at a special meeting for which quorum is obtained.

Question 28

Does the HOA enforce picking up after dogs?

Accepted Answer

There is a City of Wylie ordinance against leaving dog waste in public areas. This issue is challenging to enforce as it is difficult to determine the owner/address of a given dog. Pet waste stations are positioned throughout the community and of course residents are expected to clean up after their pets.

Question 29

What can be done about street parking?

Accepted Answer

The streets in Bozman Farms are public, and as such the HOA has no legal authority to restrict street parking, ticket, or tow vehicles from the street. Disabled vehicles, vehicles with expired registration, or vehicles that are parked illegally should be reported to the City of Wylie police.

Question 30

What can be done about speeding? Can we get speed bumps?

Accepted Answer

This would also be something for the City of Wylie to decide, since they own the streets.

Question 31

Can we make the community gated?

Accepted Answer

No. This is a decision that would have had to have been made when the development was first platted.

Question 32

What should I do about barking dogs and stray animals?

Accepted Answer

Contact City of Wylie Animal Control during business hours. Noise complaints after hours should be directed to the police  non emergency line.

Question 33

Where do I report a maintenance problem?

Accepted Answer

For street lights, contact Farmers Electric. 
For irrigation, fountains, poop in the pool, or any other association property maintenance, call 469-304-0004. If it is after hours, please leave a voicemail.

Question 34

I have questions about the pool!

Accepted Answer

There is a separate Pool Q&A under the Ameneties tab.

Question 35

Is there a community yard sale?

Accepted Answer

In past years, there was a neighborhood volunteer who organized and ran a community sale. He has since moved and no one has volunteered to replace him. 
 
Residents do not need HOA permission to hold a  yard sale.
 
If a group of residents wishes to coordinate a sale date for the neighborhood,  they can set a date and communicate it to the neighborhood. There are some "community yard sale" signs they can pick up from the office and put out that weekend.

Question 36

Do you need volunteers?

Accepted Answer

Always! Contact your association manager at bozmanfarmsmanager@guardianam.com ()to ask about volunteer opportunities.

Question 37

What is the Facebook page?

Accepted Answer

There are a few neighborhood Facebook pages. None of them are "official" even if they are named such! They are all moderated by homeowner volunteers.  While community information is posted there, it should not be your sole source.  
 
Sign up for the community email list if you want to receive notice of meetings and social events.  If you wish to communicate with the board or management, please do so via email, phone, or attending a meeting.

Question 38

Can I swim, boat, or wakeboard in the pond?"

Accepted Answer

No. The pond is not maintained for recreational use beyond catch-and-release fishing.  There are guide wires in the pond to hold the fountain in place, and aquatic plants under the surface of the water that make it unsuitable for swimmers or boats. The ducks, turtles, and other wildlife that visit the pond may carry e. coli, salmonella, botulism, or other bacteria harmful to humans.

Question 39

Is the pond stocked with fish? Can I keep the fish I catch?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The fish population is routinely surveyed and the pond is stocked with bass, tilapia in the summer, and bluegill as population requires. There are some catfish in the pond, of unknown origin! 
 
Fishing is catch and release only. The pond is not treated for bacteria, so fish caught in the pond may carry bacteria harmful to humans, and should not be ingested.

Question 40

Are there rules about trees in our yards?

Accepted Answer

The HOA's governing documents do not require trees, or a particular species of tree. The Board of Directors recommends native Texas trees, as they are most likely to succeed. 
 
For front yard trees: you do not need approval to replace an exsiting tree. If you wish to add trees in a new location, move an existing tree, or remove  an existing tree, you must submit a property modification request form (found under Forms and Documents). 
 
You do not need approval to plant backyard trees unless your lot has an easement and you wish to plant in the easement area.  See your survey for easement areas.

Question 41

What are the rules about fences? Who is responsible for a shared fence?

Accepted Answer

The governing documents require fences to be made of wood or metal. There is no requirement to stain your wood fence, but it is recommended.
 
There are no preapproved or required stain colors but the archictural guidelines require shades of brown. Wood fences may not be painted or whitewashed. 
 
The maximum allowable fence height (both for the HOA and the City of Wylie) is eight feet.
 
You must submit a property modification request (found under Forms and Documents) to replace your fence. In the request, include the materials to be used, height and type of fencing (side by side or board on board for example), stain colors (if any) and - if you are altering the fenceline - a survey or plot plan showing the location of the existing fence and the proposed location of the new fence. 
 
You may also need a city permit.  
 
Shared fences are considered a shared responsibility of the two owners who share the fence. How that responsibility is distributed is a private matter between the two neighbors.  The Board of Directors will not mediate a boundary or maintenance dispute between neighbors.

Question 42

Can I have a shed? What are the rules about sheds?

Accepted Answer

Like any other modification to a lot, sheds require approval from the Architectural Review Committee (ARC). 
 
Submit a modification request (found under Forms and Documents) that includes: the dimensions of the shed, materials (including roof materials), colors, whether or not it will sit on a slab, how it will be anchored to the ground, and include a survey or plot plan showing the location of the shed with measurements, relative to the fence and home. 
 
Sheds should complement the house in paint and shingle color.

POOL ACCESS CARDS MUST BE PICKED UP IN PERSON AT THE
ONSITE MANAGEMENT OFFICE

HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

POOL ACCESS CARDS MUST BE PICKED UP IN PERSON AT THE ONSITE MANAGEMENT OFFICE

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

POOL ACCESS CARDS MUST BE PICKED UP IN PERSON AT THE
ONSITE MANAGEMENT OFFICE