GOMO reviewed and adopted a budget for 2017 at its business meeting held August 17th. Major changes from prior year’s budgets include the elimination of spending of “Surplus Funds” as required by the bylaws for FY 2016-2017. These funds have been used for neighborhood related items such as Constable Patrols and Neighborhood Beautification. In practical terms, this means that next year Garden Oaks will lose the two Constable Patrols funded by GOMO (cost $153,500) and Beautification funding (cost $20,000). These steps were taken as a result of the outcome of the Section 3 garage lawsuit. While the lawsuit found GOMO to be improperly formed only with respect to the homeowners in the lawsuit, out of an abundance of caution, GOMO decided to place all transfer fees and other income received after the judgment date, June 8, 2016, into a separate account. GOMO appealed the ruling and is confident that the appeal will establish that GOMO was and is properly formed and that it has the authority to enforce Deed Restrictions and collect Transfer Fees. However, until such time, GOMO will limit spending to deed restriction enforcement and operating expenses. Due to its contractual obligations with Harris County, GOMO will continue to fund the two Constable Patrols until February 28, 2017.