Rancho Mirage Homeowners Regain Stability, Yet One Crucial Element Lingers Unaddressed

Rancho Mirage residents gathered on March 31, 2025, for a long-awaited homeowners association (HOA) meeting at the Maricopa Library and Cultural Center. This marked the first meeting in years, with over 150 attendees eager to hear from Trestle Management Company representatives. Many homeowners have faced ongoing issues, including persistent flooding and inadequate maintenance of community facilities.

InMaricopa magazine’s coverage in December shed light on the frustrations besieging these residents. Tired of subpar conditions, some homeowners contemplated protests to deter potential buyers from engaging with the sales office. However, recent changes are on the horizon, as Trestle Management outlined improvements made since taking over from Associated Asset Management.

During the meeting, Trestle provided insights into vendor roles, completed maintenance projects, and budget updates. Significant expenditures included $185,000 dedicated to new pumping equipment for the community lake, which had been facing operational challenges. Homeowners can anticipate increased meeting frequency, which will now occur quarterly instead of annually.

Despite the progress, dissatisfaction among residents remains palpable. Aaliyah Bushong, a vocal homeowner, expressed her frustration, citing ongoing issues such as brown grass and flooding. “Nothing has really changed,” she remarked, highlighting a recent flood event in the community.

Trestle Management Vice President Marc Vasquez acknowledged the homeowners’ concerns, stating, “There’s been a significant amount of improvements to your lake and your landscaping.” His assurance of ongoing commitment, however, was met with skepticism. Resident Ismael Verdugo voiced his discontent regarding Trestle’s claims of addressing longstanding issues, suggesting the management was taking credit for problems that were already on the residents’ radar.

The financial report revealed that a majority of monthly HOA dues is funneled towards landscaping and maintenance, leaving priority maintenance issues inadequately addressed. Despite spending over $47,000 on tree care last year, critical problems linger.

While frustrations abound, some residents acknowledge Trestle’s earnest efforts to rectify past management failures. Verdugo commended the strides Trestle has made, attributing their responsiveness to sustained pressure from the community. “They were really attacking them with all these letters,” he noted.

Bushong expressed her commitment to improving conditions in Rancho Mirage, conveying a sense of urgency as new residents move in. A telephone conversation with Trestle Management led her to remain cautious, as she articulated, “We’ve heard it before.”

Trust issues remain, particularly following the controversial management of former community manager Tami Eden. Verdugo underscored the need for Trestle to acknowledge past grievances to build trust within the community. “Removing [Eden] as community manager says a lot, but management still hasn’t acknowledged why she was removed,” he added.