INNOVATION AND PROACTIVE THINKING TURNED INTO SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS

A 294-unit suburban condominium plan.

Trees, shrubs, and lawn maintenance. The in-house maintenance staff had always utilized push mowers because of the numerous and scattered trees and shrubs throughout the property. We investigated the mower market and found a lawn tractor that could handle the many intricate turns around all of the trees and shrubs. Lawn manpower hours were cut by more than 50 percent. The man-hours thus freed were assigned to tree and shrub trimming; resulting in the elimination of an outside tree trimming service. The net savings amounted to 12.5% of the entire maintenance budget.

Water consumption. By comparing present meter readings with historical data, water usage was up more than 40% or $12,000 per year. A plumber was summoned and a leak was found in the water system, thereby explaining the jump in usage. To avoid repeats, we instituted a weekly meter reading program, in order to detect future water leaks as soon as possible.

Real-Time, On-Line Budgeting. Budgeting is perhaps the most hectic and time-consuming activity for the Board. We have been able to reduce the amount of time spent on this activity by bringing a portable, lap top computer to the Board meetings.

Budgetary changes are made on the spot, thereby allowing budget review and finalization in a single Board session.