DAPHNE, Ala. — The Lake Forest board of directors Thursday voted 6-3 in favor of bringing in Vision Golf and Association Management.

A letter of intent to hire Vision was sent out Friday, and Lake Forest plans to agree on a contract with the company by Oct. 1. Vision’s hiring will mark the first time the 40-year-old subdivision has not been self-managed by property owners.

Board members Anthony Dees, James Moss, Clint Martin, Mary Ann Hampton, Bill Menefee and Travis Stone voted in favor of the proposal.

“For 38 years, Lake Forest has been slowly going downhill,” Moss said. “The people here have done a good job considering what they’ve had to work with. I’ve only lived here five years and I’ve seen the amenities getting older and then services not getting better.”

“We’ve got so many houses and so many residents and there are so many amenities; it just can’t be done,” said Hampton, vice president.

“You can’t overlook the fact that our buildings are becoming deteriorated; they are becoming older. We want the neighborhood to remain a place where people want to live.

The time had come for experts to step in, she said.

“There are a lot of golf course managers around, but that’s not what we needed. We needed a company that can do the whole thing, and Vision (can). They are set up to do everything and more.”

Board members Marie Bidney, Ray Sturch and Bryan Frater voted down the proposal. Each did not want to comment on why they dissented.

Bidney, however, did say she’d take a wait-and-see approach.

 “I think what we need to do now is see what will happen in 12 months from now and work together on this,” she said.

Vision plans to take the accounting aspect of Lake Forest and bring it in-house, which would reduce payroll expenses for the subdivision.

The company also hopes to increase revenue through the golf course.

Lake Forest is the largest subdivision in Alabama with around 3,100 property owners. Property owners’ dues reportedly total $4,350 per month. There are around 105 annual golf members; 10 years ago the number was around 165.

Subdivision amenities include six tennis courts, three swimming pools, a yacht club, a marina, horse stables and 27 holes of golf.

Last week’s meeting was open only to Lake Forest property owners.

Vision Golf and Association Management has its immediate five-year Lake Forest revitalization and management plan posted on the Lake Forest website, www.lakeforestpoa.com.