To "porter" or not to "porter"

Hi,
Currently, we are paying $250 a month to have a homeowner perform portering services on common grounds for 4 buildings/32 units plus one swimming pool. When we audited the porter, it turns out that we could spend much less per month for the same level of service if we either go to an hourly fee or completely discontinue paying for portering thus making all members of the community responsible for maintaining our property. There is another HOA next to ours and they do not pay for portering...each owner is responsible for maintaining their property and it works. So, the question is...do we continue to pay for this service or do we follow the model of the other association?

thoughts?

To "porter" means you are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of a particular set of items. It's basically synonymous with janitor. In this since, a porter would pick-up trash and debris from our associations common areas and parking lot in addition to building light maintenance and daily swimming pool chemical checks.

Marf, whether it is worth the $3000.00 a year is a question you have to answer for yourself. We are 11 buildings 132 units and we pay a company more than that a year on pool upkeep alone. That's twice daily checks and cleaning the restrooms during the summer cover/
uncover the pool and winter checks. We also have a cleaning company who takes care of the clubhouse/common areas in the buildings.

The big question I have is this homeowner on the payroll? Do you pay his FICA and other payroll taxes and workman's comp? Or is he an independent contractor who you give a 1099 at the end of the year? If he is, does he/she have workman's comp? What happens if he/she gets hurt working on your property?

As it stands, the porter is a homeowner. But we 1099 him at the end of the year so we don't have to worry about payroll taxes, insurance, and etc...Albeit, we do carry workers comp insurance to protect ourselves from contractors who, for whatever reason, does not have workers comp insurance at the time of an accident.

Meanwhile, I think it's worth looking into possibly hiring a company to perform our portering needs.

thanks!