2025 Reserve Projects Deliver Major Savings, Stormwater Work Earns City Recognition
- West Winds HOA
- Dec 5
- 8 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
The West Winds HOA's 2025 reserve projects are tracking significantly under budget—welcome news for homeowners as the Board continues its work on long-deferred infrastructure improvements.
Stormwater Mitigation & Maintenance Update - November 2025
Stormwater Project Saves Nearly $50,000
The Stormwater Mitigation and Maintenance Project came in well under projections. Initial estimates from prior years ranged from $250,000 to $500,000. After extensive research, planning, and negotiation, the volunteer Board brought the initial project estimate down to $129,755—and the final cost came in at just $80,734, a savings of $49,021.
Board members dedicated approximately 450+ hours of volunteer time to this project—researching historical records, coordinating with City staff, authoring detailed plans, obtaining multiple bids, communicating with members, developing a phased approach, and managing the project to prioritize the most critical work while keeping costs down.
Category | Initial Estimate | Final Cost |
|---|---|---|
Tree Removal | $76,300 | $21,700 |
Mowing | $16,855 | $14,835 |
Sediment Removal | $33,970 | $32,390 |
Sediment/Soil Testing | — | $11,809 |
Total | $129,755 | $80,734 |
City of Bozeman Takes Notice
The project's success caught the attention of city officials. Russell F. Smith, Project Coordinator for the City of Bozeman Stormwater Division, called the HOA's work "a fantastic representation of good HOA management" and noted that similar basin recovery efforts are underway in other Bozeman neighborhoods.
Smith also encouraged the Board to stay engaged with the City's broader stormwater policy, pointing to a recent City Commission presentation on the updated Stormwater Facilities Plan that included discussion of HOA facility maintenance responsibilities across Bozeman.
Community Partnerships Make an Impact
One key to the savings was a collaborative willow harvesting initiative launched this spring. The HOA partnered with the Gallatin Watershed Council, Trout Unlimited, and the City of Bozeman's Parks and Stormwater departments to selectively harvest willows from stormwater facilities DF-4.2 and DF-2A.
Stakeholders conducted a full site walkthrough in March 2025 to finalize roles, logistics, and best practices for the harvest. The first harvesting event took place in late April, with volunteers helping collect willows that are now supporting riparian restoration projects throughout the Gallatin Valley—turning a maintenance task into a conservation win while reducing HOA costs.
Why Russian Olive Trees Had to Go
Among the trees removed from the stormwater facilities were Russian olives—and their removal was about more than just maintaining water flow.
Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) is classified as a regulated noxious weed in Montana. Originally introduced as an ornamental and windbreak species, it has become an aggressive invader that outcompetes native vegetation, degrades wildlife habitat, and consumes significant amounts of water. The trees spread rapidly along waterways and drainage areas—exactly the kind of environment our stormwater basins provide.
In addition to the ecological concerns, Russian olives growing in stormwater facilities create serious infrastructure problems. Their dense root systems can damage inlet and outlet structures, their fallen leaves and branches clog conveyance channels, and their aggressive growth reduces basin storage capacity. Removing them was both an environmental responsibility and a maintenance necessity.
The City's Forestry Division, Montana Department of Agriculture, and local weed districts actively encourage the removal of Russian olives, and their elimination from our stormwater facilities aligns with broader regional efforts to control this invasive species.
Stormwater Basins Are Not Wetlands
Some homeowners have expressed concern that the maintenance work involved clearing or damaging wetlands—and worried this could affect property values for lots adjacent to these facilities. This is not the case.
West Winds' stormwater basins are engineered infrastructure, not natural wetlands or wildlife preserves. They were purpose-built during subdivision development to capture, slow, and safely move runoff during rain and snowmelt. The facilities are part of the City of Bozeman's stormwater system and appear on City-approved engineering plans with designations like DF-1A, DF-2A, DF-4.1, and so on.
The HOA is required by the City to maintain these facilities so they function as designed. When trees, large shrubs, cattails, and sediment accumulate, they block water flow, reduce storage capacity, and increase flood risk to nearby properties. Restoring these basins to proper function protects homes and infrastructure, thereby supporting rather than diminishing property values for adjacent lots.
Why Stormwater Maintenance Matters
West Winds HOA maintains eight engineered stormwater basins—seven detention facilities and one retention facility—that protect homes, streets, and utilities from flooding and erosion.
After years of deferred maintenance, overgrown vegetation and sediment buildup had compromised facility function. The 2025 project addressed these issues by removing problem trees and woody vegetation, clearing sediment and debris from inlets and outlets, and re-establishing proper grades and flow paths.
Keeping these facilities clear ensures compliance with City and State stormwater standards and avoids costly emergency repairs or enforcement actions down the road.
Thank You to Our Neighbors
The Board extends a sincere thank you to all homeowners for their patience, questions, and engagement throughout this process—especially those living near the stormwater facilities where work was most visible. Taking care of our stormwater infrastructure is not just a legal requirement—it's part of being good neighbors and good stewards of our community.
2025 Reserve Projects on Track
Across all planned reserve projects for 2025, the HOA budgeted $172,500. With actuals at $91,188 and approximately $8,000 in committed work remaining, the neighborhood is on track to finish the year more than $73,000 under budget.
Project | Budgeted | Actuals | Committed | Projected Savings |
Storm Drains Maintenance | $125,000 | $80,734 | $0 | $44,266 |
Surveying Services | $25,000 | $954 | $5,000 | $19,046 |
ACC Design Guidelines | $15,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 | $10,000 |
ACC Performance Guarantee | $7,500 | $7,500 | $0 | $0 |
Total | $172,500 | $91,188 | $8,000 | $73,312 |
NEXT STEPS for Stormwater Facilities along Baxter
Missing City-Guaranteed Developer Improvements in West Winds
Learn more about the Missing City-Guaranteed Developer Improvements Project - presented April 8, 2025
Board Pursues Resolution
While the stormwater project addressed deferred maintenance, the Board is also tackling a separate issue: city-guaranteed developer improvements that were never completed in the first place.
The Missing Improvements Project targets over 14 areas throughout West Winds, with significant deficiencies identified in Phases 6, 7, and 8. Perimeter boulevards along Baxter Lane and Davis Lane are missing trees, irrigation systems, rock features, grass plantings, and other infrastructure that were promised by the developer and guaranteed by the City during subdivision development. Additional deficiencies affect HOA boulevards, trails, and city park-adjacent areas—most notably along Hunters Way.
The estimated value of these unfulfilled improvements exceeds $500,000. Since 2023, the Board has dedicated over 350 volunteer hours to researching, documenting, and planning a path forward.
The 2025 goal is to finalize all documentation and present the findings to the City of
Bozeman to:
Identify responsible parties (e.g., the original developer or City of Bozeman)
Determine whether performance guarantee funds still exist
Push for completion of improvements at little or no cost to the HOA
In 2026, the HOA will request a formal plan and implementation timeline from the responsible party to ensure these long-promised improvements are finally completed.
What's Next
The Board continues to advance multiple infrastructure initiatives simultaneously—restoring stormwater facilities, documenting missing improvements, and working with the City to ensure West Winds receives what was originally promised. Updates will be shared as progress continues.
For more details on these projects, visit the HOA website to view the full Board presentations from April 8 and November 18, 2025.
For the complete story on the Stormwater Project, watch:
1) April 8, 2025 - Stormwater Project Update (1 of 2)
2) November 18, 2025 - Stormwater Project Update (2 of 2)
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDED:
2025 Stormwater Facilities Mitigation & Maintenance Project - Quick Facts
2023/2024: Original Cost Estimates
Estimated: $250-500K
2024/2025: After Extensive Research, Planning & Negotiation
Budgeted: $130,000
Actuals: $80,734
Savings/Below Budget: $49,021
Volunteer Hours: 450+
How'd we lower costs?
Here's one way, 2025 Harvesting Willows Project
West Winds Stormwater Facilities
West Winds HOA maintains eight engineered stormwater basins across the neighborhood—seven detention facilities (DF) and one retention facility (RF). These basins are part of the City of Bozeman’s stormwater system and are critical to protecting our homes, streets, and utilities from flooding and erosion.
What Are Stormwater Facilities?
Purpose-built infrastructure that captures, slows, and safely moves runoff during rain and snowmelt.
Designed to keep water away from homes, prevent street and sidewalk flooding, and protect underground utilities.
Must be inspected and maintained regularly to meet City of Bozeman and State of Montana stormwater standards.
Where Are the Basins?
Stormwater basins are located throughout the subdivision and are labeled on the City-approved map (DF-1A, DF-2A, DF-4.1, DF-4.2, DF-6, DF-7, DF-8, and RF-2B).
These facilities are connected by underground pipes and surface channels that carry water through and out of West Winds.
Work you may see in these areas—tree and brush removal, grading, and channel clearing—is part of the long-overdue restoration project.
Detention vs. Retention
Detention Facilities (DF):
Temporarily hold stormwater during storms.
Release water slowly through engineered outlets to prevent downstream systems from being overwhelmed.
Retention Facility (RF):
Holds water for more extended periods and allows it to infiltrate the ground rather than discharge quickly.
Helps recharge groundwater and further reduce peak runoff.
Stormwater Basins Are Not Wetlands
These areas are engineered stormwater structures, not natural wetlands or wildlife preserves.
Trees, large shrubs, cattails, and accumulated sludge can block flow, reduce storage capacity, and put nearby properties at risk.
The HOA is required by the City to keep these facilities clear so they function as designed.
Maintenance & Compliance
To keep the system working and in compliance, the HOA is:
Removing problem trees and woody vegetation from basin slopes and channels.
Clearing sediment, debris, and obstructions from inlets, outlets, and conveyance channels.
Re-establishing proper grades and flow paths where erosion or buildup has occurred.
Coordinating inspections and standards with the City of Bozeman Stormwater Division.
Partnership with the City of Bozeman
City stormwater staff have provided historical records, engineering guidance, and site visits to support this project.
Similar basin recovery work is underway in other Bozeman neighborhoods and HOAs.
Our goal is to ensure West Winds’ facilities meet the same standards as other compliant systems citywide.
Why This Matters to Homeowners
Reduces the risk of flooding in yards, streets, and common areas.
Protects neighborhood infrastructure and long-term property values.
Keeps the HOA in compliance with city and state regulations, avoiding costly emergency repairs or enforcement actions.
Ensures that decades-old stormwater challenges are finally being addressed in a planned, transparent, and cost-effective way.
Next Steps:
Learn more about the Missing City-Guaranteed Developer Improvements Project - presented April 8, 2025
If you have questions about the project, please contact the HOA Board of Directors.
Directors & Officers
Kitch Walker, President (3YR Term - elected in Jan 2023)
Linda Racicot, Treasurer (3YR Term - elected in Feb 2024)
Mandee Arnold, Secretary (3YR Term - elected in Feb 2024)
Officers
John Stelly, Vice President
Dillon Fatouros, Assistant Secretary
The Board of Directors & Officers
West Winds Master Homeowners’ Association, Inc.
May 7, 2025
HOA Stormwater Project Efforts - Receives Accolades From the City of Bozeman
Russell F. Smith | Project Coordinator, MSc, PWS
City of Bozeman | Stormwater Program
Dillon,
This presentation is a fantastic representation of good HOA management.
I’ll let you know when there’s an opening in the Division!
All joking aside, I want to ensure you and Kitch stay updated on the city's greater stormwater policy. Last night, the Division presented the updated Stormwater Facilities Plan to the City Commission. The Commission meeting minutes will take a couple of weeks to produce, but your Commission made some interesting comments about HOA, facility maintenance, and other poignant observations. It’s probably worth a watch starting at 1 hr: 16 min.
Thanks again,
Russ
Russell F. Smith | Project Coordinator, MSc, PWS City of Bozeman | Stormwater Program
Harvesting Willows from the HOA Stormwater Facilities Project
