Assessment Increase

This will be the first time for an increase in our assessments. I need advice on the correct way to go about doing this. Our dues are due Jan 1st and July 1st. Do we have to send out a notice of increase before this can be done. We are only planning the 10% allowed w/o member vote. From what I understand we need to send the assessment statement at least 30 days in advance, is this so?....Also our annual meeting isn't until the end of Jan when we took over control from the developer. So is it ok to increase the assessment before we present our new budget for 2007? I have ask the other BOD's to also get together and lay out the a late fee and the interest for late payment. Our CC&R's states we can fix these fees but the given ammount has never been presented to the members and have never been enforced. I felt that all of this should be in the notice of payment is sent out for the Jan. dues. The President has never called a meeting w/all the Board members about this and time is or has riun out. Jan.1st is just around the corner. If we don't get it done Jan. can we do it in July?

Roger,

Your response has me confused! I maybe just thick headed here but….I too am a board member who is (for the first time in five years) increasing assessments as well has asking every homeowner for specific assessment of $100.00 to be do in late spring. You mentioned “If the budget will not approved until the annual meeting you can not increase the assessment until after approval at the annual meeting.” Maybe I’m not following you. Sidney mentions that the increase doesn’t require a members vote as long as the increase doesn’t exceed 10%. Wouldn’t the board approve the budget prior to holding a budget meeting?
I apologize, I do not know all the do’s and don’t s of an HOA. Let me ask you a couple of questions, which will help me to clarify much of this. Why would any homeowner vote to approve the budget (even if needed) if this approval will increase their assessment?
My CC&R’s does state that the budget has to be presented to the members of the association, at least 30 days prior to the assessments due date, as I’m sure many do. If the budget can be approved without a vote, than why would you not approve the budget prior to the annual meeting?

Sorry to question your advice
Thanks
Chuck W.

Roger...I was confused also but didn't want to appear stupid so let it go...thanks Chuck...lol....I know it is close now for us to do anything, the other Board members and I don't see eye to eye on running this HOA. I am not the President just the secretary and can't do much w/o the other Board members. Our semi annual dues will be due on Jan 1st, so I wanted to give notice of the allowed 10% increase NOW with the notice that should be in the mail NOW in order to give the 30 day notice....But our annual meeting isn't until Jan 16th, our anniversary date. So can we make the increase now and then have it already in the budget for 2007....I have not heard a word from the other Board members about anything. I even found out this morning that our utility bills have not been paid that were delinquent 11/13/06. We are truly in need of this extra assessment, I have found that the 2006 budget was low balled by the developer (we took over last Jan) and we have 12/13 delinquent account some as old as 3 payments behind and the way I figured it we are over budget. I had crunched the numbers and given them to the President and Treasure and they have never said anything about it...neither has said I was wrong but nothing has come of it. I was hoping we could get all this done in time. I need something from someone smarter than I am to show them what needs to be done. Any help would be appreciated....Thanks