The Saga Continues

As some of you remember I was an incumbent on our BOD that finished 6th in a 5 person election. I finished 6th by one vote and the Property Manager and President said they could do a recount and most certainly find a way of disqualifying some votes and get me elected. I said no and was not unhappy to be off the BOD. Understand I was also the one not afraid to confront owners when they need confronting. I have pi$$ed off a few owners.

Well since then, the President resigned due to selling and one other BOD Member also resigned do to his professional life work overload. Leaving 3 of 5. The new President is a good person but listens to much to a faction that has never been happy and are the largest vocal complainers in our association. \

I have been "unofficially" approached about accepting a BOD appointment to the BOD. I have replied that if I accept it is going to pi$$ some people off as I did when I was on the BOD and the BOD will have to realize this. I also replied it would have to be a unanimous BOD vote so all be on record as backing my appointment. I have said that if the BOD is not willing to announce a 10% or higher dues (not been one in 7 years and I suggest a 15% increase) prior to 12/01/2015 (as per our docs), then I will resign at that time. I was the Treasurer and have a better understanding of our budget then many, if not all on the BOD.

Word has gotten back that the President thinks I am demanding to much. I replied so be it.

I know it sounds like my way or the highway but so be it.

Opinions and suggestions please.

Thanks.

I think asking for unanimous approval is fine to make sure you have the support of the other members.

As far as the dues increase, if I were a current board member I wouldn't agree to any new dues amount until budget time came around and we analyzed the financial requirements for the coming year.

Personally, if I were you, I would just accept the appointment without conditions, under the assumption that it is more effective to try to effect change from within, than from outside the board.

I think, JohnC, that if you believe you can be of benefit to your HOA, then accept the board's invitation (if it comes). Then, you'll be a voice to appoint someone to fill the other vacancy.

If you're unable to persuade the others to raise dues, resign at that time.

Meanwhile, why do you think dues should go up 10 or 15%? Are there another topics that interest you in your HOA?

I know yo've said that some are annoyed with you because off fines. But doesn't the whole board vote on whether to levy fines?

As I recall, one reason you bought in this HOA was because it has few amenities so reserves is not a big factor in your budget.

Kerry

I do not think I ever said they were annoyed at me because of fines. Fines were never an issue as we only commenced doing such this year and we had a real just fix the problem attitude versus pay us. Some are annoyed with me as I had no problem informing they were in violation and needed to clean up their act. I would also confront them on budget issues when the topic came up. I was one to pass issue back to the owner as not a BOD issue. Candidly, many did not like what I had to say. My social circle does not include my neighbors (my social circle is hard drinking, golfers....LOL) thus I have more that do not like me then do like me. Of course, most do not even know me but at least 50 % have heard me speak at owner/Annual meetings so more know me then I know them.

Yes we have no amenities and one of the main reasons I bought here but we do all outside maintenance (landscape, exterior home shell maintenance, etc.). Landscaping is about 45% of our budget and our #1 source of complaints/issues.

Your HOA sounds a lot like mine. The HOA here also pays for all landscaping and exterior shell maintenance, including roofs. We also do sodding, bush replacement, tree trimming and (when necessary) removal and replacement. Substitute drainage for erosion issues and it really does sound similar. Being in Florida, those are regular monthly recurring expenses and that's why they're in our operating budget. If you have a need to take care of large landscape issues less frequently, I can see how those expenses could be included in the reserves if they only had to be done every 5 or 10 years. Between all our landscaping vendors, it's our highest monthly spending category by far.

We have been putting significant sums into the reserve accounts, but it's very haphazard. The money is kept in a separate bank account and well-accounted for. We've never had a proper reserve study done. I've been on the finance committee for a year and a director for 6 months and no discussion of our reserves has ever lasted more than 30 seconds. It's a situation that is ripe for abuse and the fact that it hasn't been abused yet is pure luck.

I made a spreadsheet last year that started from the reserve categories and numbers that were available at the beginning of 2014. I modeled it after some professional reserve studies I had seen done for other HOAs. I showed that an increase of $10 per month per parcel for 3 years, and then reverting to annual 3% increases would get us into fully-funded territory in 4 years. The overwhelming response was, "Ten dollars a year increase for three years! Ha! And what's this percent fully funded business anyway? Let's move on."

Good luck to you. Maybe a hypothetical projection of how you'll need a special assessment in X years to cover something that will need to be replaced when there's not enough in the reserves will get some people's attention.

EZ choice. And when they frustrate you, you can keep your golf buddies and us old Fs entertained.