cubigbird - There is no reason to think that there is going to be a SA at SBP, so not sure what you are referring to.
The last big SA was at Sheraton Vistana Resort and it was in the thousands. However, this generated a huge negative response from owners, so I will be surprised if we ever see that again - except in a case of unusual damages, like a hurricane.
It's far easier and less controversial for the BOD to raise the MF, than to impose a SA, so that's what I would expect to see in the future.
*A well-run resort should never have a SA, except in extraordinary circumstances like a hurricane. Under regular conditions, a special assessment means that the board has not budgeted well for renovations and refurbishments. Of course, with Starwood/Vistana, renovations are management driven, and I'm sure that major renovations at SVR and SDO would not have happed, except that Starwood insisted on it, and the board caved in to their demands.
Note that Villas of Cave Creek LEFT Starwood (fired them as management) because Starwood was demanding expensive renovations and the board refused to do it.