2020 COMPLETED WMLCRID PROJECTS

Here are the improvements implemented during 2020. Most of these are internal improvements made for efficiency & quality reasons, as the District strove to save monies, looking towards larger projects and/or purchases (such as docks and the possibility of acquiring real property).

1. ASSESSMENT EFFORT - - All District staff has been engaged in an assessment of District Processes throughout the summer. Additionally, tons of input has been collected from our passionate residents, lake users, lake volunteers, and past board members. We have looked at how things have been done in the past, at how well they are working now (especially with an increase in summer visitors), and how we might improve things going forward. Additionally, we put together a list of physical improvement projects, both major and minor.  ONGOING
2. EXPENDITURE EFFICIENCIES/SAVINGS - - The community strongly expressed an interest in seeing the district put aside (save) extra funds, for the purpose of making some of the major purchases that may be needed as soon as 2021.  These would be funds that are spent in addition to the annual operating budget. There are couple items would be in this category: (1) BUY PROPERTY FOR ADDITIONAL PARKING & AMENITIES = The District is in need of more space for additional parking and for additional Amenities. Occasionally, nearby properties come up for sale. To be ready for that eventuality, it was important that the district save as much money as possible, so that we would be ready to “make something happen” should that opportunity arise. (2) DOCK IMPROVEMENTS = Similar to the property issue above, the dock improvements are going to require additional funds. By holding off on several of the smaller improvement projects, and being efficient with our staff dollars (our largest expenditure), we were able to save up monies for these bigger items that will require expenditures above & beyond the normal operating budget. RESULT - -  With substantial savings in expenditures for 2020 & 2021, the District has a healthy reserves inplace to be applied to projects.  DONE & ONGOING
3. WEBSITE DOMAIN - - Changed the website domain to make it easier for folks to write down, and to better match our agency name. Unfortunately, our name is seven words long, with means that the acronym is also seven letters long.  :)  The old domain was wml-recreationdistrict.org. RESULT - - The new domain name is wmlcrid.org.  DONE
4. WEBSITE IMPROVEMENTS - - There was a need to update the website with an eye towards "ease of use".  RESULT - - We have added a lot of more photos, and ways to "click & go" to quickly get to the page you are looking for. We were even able to produce a scrolling slide show that highlights the top of all of our webpages. Additionally, we added pages that highlight the lake amenities: Fishing, Boating, Birding, Pretty Lake Photos, and a page to help answer folk's questions about lake access. Plus there is a new page highlighting all of the Community Resources available.   DONE
5. EMAIL ADDRESS CHANGE - - Needed to simplify the email address, so that folks could more easily write it when when being spoken over the phone.  RESULT - - We changed the district emails to match the website domain. You can reach our lake administrator at: mark@wmlcrid.org.  DONE
6. UPDATED OFFICE SOFTWARE - - Our old windows 10 program was giving us fits (stopping regularly) and we did not have all of the software normally found with Windows (like publisher). RESULT - - To update these issues, we moved to Windows 365.  DONE
7. REPLACE STAFF LAPTOP - - The District has two computers: an admin computer, and a "staff" computer for use by the Lake Patrol staff. The staff laptop has failed, being 15 years old.  RESULT - - We purchased and set up a new laptop to function as the staff computer.   DONE
8. SET UP A DROPBOX - - Previously, when we wanted to transfer files from the admin computer to the staff computer, the process involved putting files on a flash drive, which occurred every day or two, and was a clucky process. RESULT - - By utilizing a Dropbox account, the admin can now save the needed docs into the proper folder, and staff can just refresh the doc on their computer.  DONE
9. FACEBOOK PAGE - - The District did not have it's own page for
   the purpose of posting regularly about things happening at the lake. RESULT - - On July 7, 2021, we started the WMLCRID Facebook page. Please follow the page at: www.facebook.com/wmlcrid.  DONE
10. PUBLIC MEETINGS - - Covid Restrictions have made it diffcult/impossible to have In-Person Public Meetings.  RESULT - - We were able to conduct several meetings via zoom (clicking here).   DONE
11. YOUTUBE CHANNEL - - We needed a way to easily "embed" the video recordings from the public meetings. RESULT - - We started a WMLCRID YouTube channel to meet this need,. The channel is really only used for this purpose, but it does have the potential for growth, if we wanted to do some live commentary or narrative from the lake.   DONE
12. DISTRICT LOGO - - The District was without it's own agency logo. An agency logo is useful for letterhead, brochures, websites, and anyplace we would need to represent the District in a small space. RESULT - - We created a graphic representation (a logo) for the WMLCRID, utilizing a sail boat in motion, propelled by the wind of our agency name, signifying this agency moving forward.    DONE
13. NEW GUEST LIFEJACKETS LOCATION - - We have lifejackets (donated) that are available for lake visitors to use (at their own risk). Previously, these lifejackets were located in a container INSIDE the office. As the lifejacket donations increased, we liked that we had a variety of sizes for all ages, but the quantity quickly overran the container. The other issue was that people were coming in wet. RESULT - - We purchased a "deck box" that now lives at the end of the deck next to the office, which give the lifejackets a nice home, and allows them to dry properly. If you're at the lake and need to borrow one, come on down.  DONE
14. NEW MAILING ADDRESS - - All District Mail came to a PO Box at the nearby Post Office, but it really should be coming directly to the Office Location. RESULT - - We moved our mailing address to match our physical address, and cancled the PO Box (saving that fee). This took some hassling with the Post Office to accomplish, as their database had our physical address as "invalid". To facilitate our receiving mail here, we put up a new mailbox out by the street. Then, we went through every biller,  to change our address. Having mail come to the office is a huge time saver. New address = 2015 Silver Creek Dr, Show Low 85901.   DONE
15. NEW COMMUNITY BULLITEN BOARD - - On the driveway side of our office, we have a covered and locked bulliten board that is for WMLCRID. Recently, we have had folks trying to post their own flyers up there, by breaking into locked box. RESULT - - We have provided a community board located by the office door (on the deck), where people come by, and will see it. This should help our local neighborhood organizations to "get the word out."   DONE
16. REMINDER SIGNS - - At WMLCRID, we only have a handful of rules/policies for folks to abide by. All of which are designed with visitor safety in mind. All to often, the property owners do not remember what those rules are (or one spouse did not tell the other), and very often their guests do not know. RESULT - - Staff designed, purchased, and installed the "reminder" signs that highlight the most important rules, and are placed where people congregate, while not being in the way. Additionally, they give staff some backup when enforcing a particularly rule, plus they allow guests to learn what rules are important for their day at the lake. To view these signs, check them out next time you're at the lake. Or, see them at facebook.com/wmlcrid/?view_public_for=100588225065254.   DONE
17. PAYROLL INHOUSE - - Previously, payroll was done by Navajo County, as they handled the ADP processes, and staff paychecks went to the county for signature, and then were mailed out by snailmail, often causing delays in paying personnel. RESULT - - By brining it inhouse, now the County is out of the process, with the Lake Administrator conducting the ADP processes. Additionally staff paychecks now come directly to the District for signature and distribution. This is much more efficient.  DONE
18. LAKE LOCATION NAMES MAP - - Visitors often ask if we have a map of the lake.  RESULT - - We created a map of the lake that notes the name of the various lake locations and coves. The map also notes the location of the 10 underwater fish habitats put in by our local bass club, and was designed to be helpful for fisherman, boaters, and emergency personnel. To view the map, click here.    DONE
19. DISTRICT PARCEL MAP - - Many folks regularly ask us whether or not their property (or the parcel they want to purchase) is actually inside of the district, and therefore giving them lake access. RESULT - - We were able work with the county to obtain a digital version of the parcel map, which we have made available for folks. To view, click here. This map compliments the large printout map on wall of the lake office. DONE