Reston Association At-Large Board of Directors member Tom Vis says there is still work to be done to get RA to a point where it can protect and improve existing assets.

Vis, a Reston resident since 1979, is running for a second consecutive term on the board. He is one of five candidates for two open positions. Others in the race are Realtor Eve Thompson, attorney John Farrell, engineer Michael Sanio and attorney Donna Miller Rostant.

"I biggest thing I worked on during this term is to bring change in annual contributions for longterm repairs," says Vis. "The regular budget cycle is done two years at a time. If we are only looking at two years, we may not be looking at the longterm capital budget."

Vis, who lives with Hunters Woods/Dogwood board member Cheryl Beamer, says the board should be thinking in 10-year terms when looking at capital repairs and maintenance as many of Reston amenities - particularly the pools and bike paths - are aging.

"We need to look at the longterm schedule," he says. "If we don't look, we don't know if we are preparing. I know that studies show that the paths and pools are the most popular amenities. They are also the most expensive."

While there has been backlash by some members over a 4.4-percent rise in assessments for 2012 and a projected 4.6-percent rise for 2013, Vis says the board needs to look at managing Reston as a mathematical terms.

"I want to be sure is there is a shortfall, the board see it as a mathematical equation," he says. "The cost of operating plus the cost of capital repairs equals [assessment] rates. Any one of these can be adjusted. But if you cap dues, then you must adjust. I don't make promises of staying stable or raising fees. I promise to make intelligent decisions."

Vis says he is supportive of the idea of indoor tennis, but not if it takes away from the priority of repairing and maintaining existing assets.