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BonnieG1 (Nebraska)
Posts: 1,186
Posted:
One of our new owners (a real go getter) and I were discussing items the Board gave her permission to investigate. I showed her what I was working on regarding our budget. (Although I am the Secretary, I also help with the budget) One of the items budgeted for was a survey of our property. She saw that and said she would check her documents and check with her relator to see if she could get a previously done survey.
I got an e-mail today that said no one but the Board members should see a work in progress.
It is my understanding that all Board business (except personel matters) are to be open to every member. What are your opinions. Thanks.
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By BonnieG1 on 09/03/2011 12:55 PM

It is my understanding that all Board business (except personel matters) are to be open to every member. What are your opinions. Thanks.

Board meetings are should be open to all members. Meetings are not the same thing as working on a report for the board. If someone is working on a project or report for the board, progress reports and the final report should be given at meetings. However, in my opinion, the "work product" (items used to create the report) should be limited to just those working on the issue.

Quote:
Posted By BonnieG1 on 09/03/2011 12:55 PM
One of our new owners (a real go getter) and I were discussing items the Board gave her permission to investigate. I showed her what I was working on regarding our budget.

I do understand, especially when discussing projects with a friend or colleague, the desire to share information and even seek out opinions on how it can be done better. However, some things need to be kept close and not released until finalized as releasing information early without the background info can lead to issues in some communities. Therefore, If the budget wasn't part of the list the board authorized the draft budget should not have been shared.

Quote:
Posted By BonnieG1 on 09/03/2011 12:55 PM
She saw that and said she would check her documents and check with her relator to see if she could get a previously done survey.

Without knowing the reason for wanting a survey, I think the idea of getting a prior one was excellent. This shows how someone not working on the project might see a different path to achieve the desired result.

This said, the decision to actually locate and use a previous survey vs. having a new one done should be discussed and approved by the Board. Your posting gives the impression that this decision was made by the owner and/or you vs. the whole board. This might be the underlying reason for the e-mail you received.

Do I think any harm was done? - No. I do think that the Board is being cautious, perhaps even overly cautious, and wanted to stress the general concept of not sharing draft versions of budgets, reports, etc.

Tim

LarryB13 (Arizona)
Posts: 4,099
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By BonnieG1 on 09/03/2011 12:55 PM
One of our new owners (a real go getter) and I were discussing items the Board gave her permission to investigate. I showed her what I was working on regarding our budget. (Although I am the Secretary, I also help with the budget) One of the items budgeted for was a survey of our property. She saw that and said she would check her documents and check with her relator to see if she could get a previously done survey.
I got an e-mail today that said no one but the Board members should see a work in progress.
It is my understanding that all Board business (except personel matters) are to be open to every member. What are your opinions. Thanks.

Whatever tasks you and your neighbor were asked to look into should have been assigned at an open meeting. Therefore, the fact that you are working on them should be no secret. Also, the line item for the new survey should also have been discussed and voted on at an open meeting. How you go about working on the budget is your business. You did not identify the party who sent the email but I assume that it was another board member. You do not answer to them; you answer to the members. If the board is unhappy with how you go about things they can vote to do it themselves.

As far as the survey goes, anybody that knows anything about property should know how to find a copy of previous surveys at the county recorder's office. If this new owner offered to check with her realtor she knows nothing of the subject. This demonstrates the practical side of not discussing work in progress as ignorant people can waste a lot of other people's time.

BTW, there are several reasons for getting a new survey. You want to know if you are encroaching on other property or if others are encroaching on yours. You also want to record the locations of various buildings, structures, natural features, and easements for future planning. This will almost certainly have to be done by a licensed surveyor.

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