I've been bcc'ed on some of the emails that residents are sending to the board. I've taken the liberty of posting some of them here anonymously.  As such, I've elided certain information that might help identify the originator.  Thanks to all who have taken the time to help support the AV Transparency project!

Last update: Sep 6, 2026

Anthem Ranch Board,

I do not support the Board moving forward with a decision to approve a contract for the new AV system for the Lodge until you have a meeting with residents to evaluate all of the issues Dan Magenheimer has raised regarding the most cost-effective way to achieve a favorable outcome.  A purchase of this magnitude needs full review by the community and I have not seen anything in writing spelling out the process, options, alternatives and costs.

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Way too many concerns have been “discovered” within the impending decision on upgrading our Lodge AV systems. Please take this motion off the fast track and contemplate realistic, non-collusion-appearing alternatives for this upgrade. It is certainly needed, but not at this level of uproar.

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I oppose the $400,000 AV contract.   A complete review of this purchase is needed before signing the contract.  Please get several other analyses from consultants who are not allowed to bid on the project.   

What type of system does Anthem Ranch Lodge need?   Is this too elaborate of a system than is needed for the lodge?   Please take the time to review this purchase and make sure there aren't other systems available for less cost that would do the job well without spending so much of the community's money on this one.   

Please don't make a rushed decision.

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I am sending this email to express my concern and disapproval with the impending contract for an exorbitant expenditure for an AV system that is way beyond the needs of the Anthem Ranch community.  The expenditure of $400,000 or even $200,000 for an AV system that does not meet the needs of our entire community is not worth it.  That sum of money could be better spent on improvements that benefit our community.

Why is this proposal even being considered?

Is the system cost vs the perceived benefit worth the expenditure?

Why is the company that helped to prepare the RFP being allowed to bid on the project? 

Why was such a significant expenditure not communicated to the Anthem Ranch community in a timely manner?

We appreciate the work of the ALC for looking at ways to enhance the AV  experience.  But in my opinion this proposal is way beyond the needs of the Anthem Ranch community.  The Anthem Ranch BOD needs to disapprove this contract.

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As a [XX]-year Anthem Ranch resident, I strongly disagree with the proposed new AV System priced at $400,000.

I strongly encourage a review of the current audio server issue to identify more affordable alternatives. I hope there will be better transparency in informing residents about the problem and available alternatives. 

Pushing through a quick decision that will have a significant financial impact is unacceptable.

The AR Community has already been burdened with significant HOA Fee increases, in some cases due to mismanagement of large projects and deferring critical maintenance issues. This is not sustainable and must stop.

Unfortunately, I just learned of the BOD meeting on Tuesday and will not be able to attend to provide this feedback in person. I hope other residents will attend and provide similar feedback so we can avoid putting this substantial commitment on hold until further review is completed.

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With the need for transparency in decision making at Anthem, I would like you to describe your decision-making process for acquiring a new AV system. Let me review a pretty basic decision-making process:

1. Is there a list of the functions of the current equipment (that are used regularly) that would be a baseline of functions to start with?

2. Was there a steering committee (of some sort) of users to provide guidance on requirements?

3. Did this committee survey the current user base and CCMC technical staff to create a functional requirements document

4. Was a set of use cases for both casual users and more technically savvy users created?

5. Did this document include currently available functions and new functions actually required by users through the user requirements study?

6. Was a functional specification (with absolutely no specific company products defined – just functions) written that was the basis for sending out the RFP to several vendors?

7. Was the RFP sent to vendors of high-end systems, mid-range systems, and low- end systems.

8. I may be wrong, but appears to me that some decisions I am aware of (dance floor and bocce courts) we made without transparency and without a great deal of user input. This should be avoided in the AV procurement.

9. It also appears that we allowed the vendor to tell us what functions we need rather than having our users tell us what they needed.

10. This whole process needs a restart.

11. It looks like decisions were made to meet a specific date rather than get

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I am writing to oppose such a large outlay of funds, which is 10% of Anthem Ranch entire annual income being spent on a single discretionary upgrade.  The type of equipment being considered, appears to be “over the top” for our needs.  I suggest, let’s pause, step back and get an independent needs analysis from a consultant who is not allowed to bid on the project.  This seems to be rushed without giving homeowners time to see, hear, and review.

Anthem Ranch has many other needs also, such as those having to do with the problems our landscape is having due to the droughty conditions we are experiencing.  This, and the steeper yearly dues increases all need to be considered before plunging into a $400,000 expense that basically covers the total increase in our dues this past year.  

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Hello Board of Directors,

Has the community determined that we actually need a new AV system in the lodge?  In my experience the AV system has worked well.

And, with the 2026 seven percent increase in assessment do we absolutely need a $400,000 AV expenditure?

If the community needs a new system of this magnitude, your responsibility is to proceed with a transparent process which includes community wide evaluation and involvement.  I read every communication I receive from the BOD and do not recall the aforementioned.

Please re-think this expenditure.

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As a former technical director of “The Greatest College Show in America” I have reviewed the proposed AV specifications and appreciate the efforts to prepare Anthem Ranch to host a Taylor Swift concert. As a resident, I'm more supportive of a system that volunteers can operate, and local technicians can maintain. Please include the ongoing costs of programming, calibration, support, and specialized service in the project's total cost, because those expenses will continue.

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I have recently learned the details of the AV replacement project being proposed by the Aspen Lodge Committee, which would cost our community close to $400K.

I find an expenditure of that magnitude completely out of line with our needs, especially in light of the fact that there is no urgency as the current system is still functional.

The Aspen Lodge is NOT a concert venue nor a theater.

It's a couple of multi-purpose rooms with adequate acoustics that are typically used for board games and meetings.

The occasional artistic productions do not warrant the state-of-the-art system being proposed by the same "experts" that performed that did the needs analysis.

Heck, as you're probably aware, many (if not most) attendees are hearing challenged.

Professional grade sound would probably go unnoticed!

Certainly, there should have been more transparency regarding cost or, at the very least, the committee should have been told how much money they have to work with as opposed to them thinking they have a blank check.

In the "August Update" email, dated 8/14, the Board of Directors dedicated exactly 4 words to this project, "Audio/Visual (AV) System Upgrade", roughly 1 word for each $100K!

Was the extent of the project intentionally downplayed?

I hope not!

With many residents on fixed incomes and dealing with rising cost for food, fuel, water and utilities (not to mention property taxes), will the budget committee once again request a maximum increase in our HOA fees in order make up the certain shortfall in reserves resulting from this frivolous expenditure?

How tone deaf can the ALC be?

Unfortunately, prior commitments prevent me from voicing my objections to the current proposal at Tuesday's board meeting.

However, I urge you to reject this proposal and not be railroaded into a rushed deal.

Require the ALC to solicit input from all stakeholders, including residents, then obtain proposals from MULTIPLE vendors based upon those requirements, explore ALL options in accordance with best practices and make the findings (including cost) public BEFORE submitting another proposal.

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