Arizona's higher elevations typically see flowers in May, and the blooms last well into the summer. An increase in rainfall up north equates to more beautiful Arizona wildflowers. The contrast of vibrant flowers against the backdrop of green is a sight to behold, so get your camera, comfortable outdoor shoes, and plenty of water, and enjoy the rich colors across the state.

"Yield-chasing investors are snapping up single-family homes to rent out or flip." ~ Wall Street Journal, April 4, 2021

The Augusta Ranch community is being targeted by outside investors intent on converting homes into highly profitable Short-Term Rentals (STR's) marketed on VRBO, Airbnb, and similar websites. STR's may appear a suitable strategy for some who are selling their homes right now, but STR's are becoming a severe nuisance for our community and threaten property values.

Augusta Ranch has always allowed Long-Term Rentals. Those rarely cause a problem because the occupants behave as residents who respect and enjoy our community's beauty, tranquility, and amenities. In contrast, STR's increasingly are generating a long string of serious complaints, including:

It's widely recognized that outside investors are becoming increasingly active here locally. Families move out, weekenders pull in, and the complaints pile up. HOA's throughout the East Valley are making covenant changes to rein in this unfortunate trend. Augusta Ranch is one of the few that has not yet acted, making our home values increasingly vulnerable.

Your HOA board unanimously urges homeowners to vote YES to adopt this amendment as we strive to protect our beautiful, peaceful family community that we all enjoy. As investors gobble up more and more of our properties, this may be our last chance to stop the invasion.

Click on the buttons below to read the amendment and VOTE by way of giving your written consent.

To encourage ease in voting, we will also offer online access via the VOTEHOANOW. You should receive a time-sensitive postcard and email with instructions for that website.

If you have any questions or concerns, we encourage you to call Kamin Havens at 480-354-1236 or attend the board meeting on May 16th, at 6:30 PM.

As the end of the school year approaches, we like to remind drivers and parents about the importance of keeping kids safe during the last week of school and throughout the summer months.

Neighborhood streets that were practically empty during school hours will once again be filled with kids on bikes, skateboards, having lemonade stands – you name it. Drivers need to be extra cautious in looking for children during the summer, especially in the evenings as the temperature goes down.

May Coloring Pages

We are proud to announce new Approved Color Schemes for Augusta Ranch, inspired combinations designed to provide plenty of flexibility. As you contemplate painting your home, you'll want to check this out!

There are now 14 new Approved Color Schemes. Each one features three main color choices that can be used anywhere and three colors that can be used for the trim, popouts, front door, and garage door. You can mix and match them as you please as long as you stay within the palette and colors are applied to the correct designated areas.

In addition, there are 12 alternate front door colors available, which you may use with any of the house paint schemes. These were chosen to give your front door a complementary splash of color if you so desire.

If you prefer to repaint your home's current colors, you may do so. As well, you may choose the original builder colors. All other previous schemes will be discontinued and unavailable.

Below is an example of a color scheme, so you may see how they are organized. Please do not judge the colors below or on the Dunn Edwards website as accurate, for there can be significant differences between them and actual paint. Instead, choose from paint samples you can collect from Dunn Edwards (nearest to us is at 5959 E Southern Ave #4-5, Mesa, AZ 85206). We will also have a set of samples in the HOA office.

When you are ready to paint your home, be sure to first submit an architectural application for approval. To be reviewed at the next committee meeting, you'll need to submit your request before 5:00 PM on the second Wednesday of that month. Requests received after that will be reviewed the following month.

Follow this link: Architectural Requests to gather the necessary information and forms. As long as your desired paint colors fit within an approved palette, you'll find the process straightforward and quick. Your HOA board members are here to help, so please send us your questions.

You can pay for your registration ticket with a credit card through our First Service e-commerce link:

OR you can pay through Venmo: @Augusta-Ranch, 4-Digit Code: 7657

Then you'll need to register through the button below, and please add your last name and the number of people attending. Doing so will enable us to match your registration with your payment.

You can pay for your registration with a credit card through our First Service e-commerce link:

OR you can pay through Venmo: @Augusta-Ranch, 4-Digit Code: 7657

Then you'll need to register through the button below, and please add your last name and the number of people attending. Doing so will enable us to match your registration with your payment.

"It's Me or the Dog" videos are a great place to start.

This is important, please understand. Some of your HOA dues were recently used to cover the cost of painting our community mailboxes. We need to work together to keep them looking nice.

You may not affix anything to the mailboxes, including flyers about missing items or pets and advertisements.

Because when we attempt to remove a flyer that someone has attached, often some of the new paint adheres to the tape and comes off. When this happens, whoever posted the flyer will, unfortunately, be responsible for covering the expense of repainting.

A catalytic converter is an emissions control device found underneath a vehicle. Thieves sell catalytic converters to scrap metal dealers for the precious metals that the devices contain: rhodium, palladium, and platinum.

Arizona law states that it's "unlawful for a person to purchase or sell a used converter unless the purchase or sale is in the ordinary course of business by a commercial motor vehicle parts or repair business in connection with the sale or installation of a new catalytic converter." Yet, it still happens.

Unfortunately, the current state law doesn't make it illegal to possess, solicit or advertise a used catalytic converter. Upcoming legislation is in the works to change this. Meanwhile, learn what you can do to protect your property.

Often-targeted vehicles include Toyota Prius, Ford trucks, Honda Elements and Jeep Cherokees. Thieves often hit trucks and SUVs because it's easier to slide under the vehicle rather than jack it up. Sometimes they unbolt the catalytic converter, but more often, they cut the connecting pipes using a battery-operated saw. This can be so quickly done that the small amount of noise created is ignored.

If you carry liability coverage only, catalytic converter theft is not covered. However, if you have full liability insurance, plus collision and comprehensive policies that repair or replace your car, you are covered. You might consider lowering your deductible amount if you have a high-risk vehicle.

Get to know your neighbors so you can recognize strangers who might be casing vehicles. Park your vehicle in the driveway or closed garage. Invest in motion-sensitive lights aimed explicitly at your vehicle when parked in the driveway. Installing a motion-sensitive dash cam could notify you of a theft in progress or possibly record the getaway car's license plate. You could turn up the sensitivity of your car alarm so that it goes off when thieves jostle your vehicle, but then the alarm blares when a cat jumps on the car in the middle of the night. Perhaps an alarm activated when the vehicle is tilted to one side would be preferable.

Investing in a cable locking device is cheaper than replacing a catalytic converter. The anti-theft device installs may range from $250 to $800. The Internet is full of resources for such devices.

Some sources recommend using a high-temperature fluorescent orange paint, such as those sprayed on barbecue grills, on your catalytic converter, and then inscribing your vehicle identification number into the painted surface. Doing so makes it traceable and, in theory, a reputable scrap metal dealer might decline to buy it.

If you come out in the morning and start your car, you'll know by the loud exhaust noise that your catalytic converter was stolen. Here are a few steps that can get you going again:

Celebrates May!

Since the pandemic, we are delighted to report that golf is having a strong resurgence in popularity. The time is right for Augusta Ranch Golf Course to step up its offerings to meet the increased demand and stay competitive. Top Tracer is an exciting technology that is fast becoming the standard expectation. If you are a golfer, you're going to love this!

Click here and here to see some video examples of Top Tracer.

The image below shows where the Top Tracer setup will be installed relative to our driving range.

for Augusta Ranch Golf Club.

A spectacular success, on April 9, 2022, the Augusta Ranch Golf Club held the Folds of Honor Golf Tournament, raising $4654 divided between the Fraternal Order of Police and PGA Hope!

The Arizona Fraternal Order of Police is committed to improving the working conditions of law enforcement officers and the safety of those we serve through education, legislation, information, community involvement, and employee representation. Learn more at: https://phxfop2.com/

PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) introduces golf to Veterans with disabilities to enhance their physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being. Learn more at: https://www.pgareach.org/services/military

Augusta Ranch Security Patrol Team consists of three full-time armed guards licensed by the Arizona Department of Public Safety. The guards patrol our community approximately 18 hours per day, seven days a week, continuously changing schedules. They work through Valley Protective Services, Inc., and have a close working relationship with the Mesa Police Department, who may rely on our guards to assist when needed.

Augusta Ranch Security Patrol Team: 480-518-3399

Mesa Police non-emergency line: 480-644-2211, option 2

When you have the chance, be sure to welcome our newest security officers, Jacob and Zach. You will find them serious about protecting our community yet friendly and easy to talk to!

The above photo is of a bark scorpion.

In our area, there is only one species of scorpion that you need to be concerned about: the bark scorpion (see photo above). They normally live under rocks, piles of wood, and tree bark — hence, the name. They prefer cooler, moist environments and are attracted to bathrooms and kitchens inside your home.

Their venom is potent enough to cause severe reactions. Young children, older adults, and pets are most at risk of serious complications. Hospitals and veterinarians in our area typically carry antivenom specifically to treat bark scorpion venom. If you live in an area where scorpions are common, you are encouraged to find and record the nearest sources of antivenom, so you won't have to search for it should someone get stung. The quicker you get medical attention the better, as the antivenom cannot reverse the effects of venom once they've begun, but it can prevent it from getting worse.

If your house appears to be closed tight and you don't leave the windows open, it may seem like a mystery when you find a scorpion inside. How in the world did it get there? Bark scorpions are excellent climbers. They can flatten themselves down to 1/16^th of an inch, which allows them to fit through tiny crevices in your home's windows, doors, and cracks. If you see a scorpion inside, you can be sure there is an opening somewhere.

A friendly reminder that you need to keep your lawn green and well-maintained with the weeds under control during the growing season.

See Something, Say Something 😀👍

Anytime you are walking in the community and notice any

irrigation issues in need of repair, please call 480-354-1236 or email Kamin with the location. Or you may call Security at 480-518-3399.

Reporting what you observe is especially important if you see a quantity of water running down the street, which may indicate a stuck-open valve. A while back, a valve was stuck on overnight, running for over 8 hours. As you might imagine, the community water bill was affected! Where possible, Security can turn the water off until the landscape crew gets back onsite.

We appreciate your help in protecting Augusta Ranch resources!

The Board of Directors establishes the basic policies of the HOA and oversees operations and procedures. Many projects are in the works at any one time to benefit the community. The Board meets on the third Monday of every month to make decisions that move these projects forward. Board meetings are open to all residents of Augusta Ranch, and we welcome you to attend. Records of the agenda and minutes are available on the Augusta Ranch website: augustaranch.org.