Reserve funds inconsistencies

A budget usually states what anticipated income and expenses are for the budget year. That amount could represent the amount being transferred to the Reserves Account.

Shannon, is your HOA incorporated? Most likely it is. If it is incorporated, then it is subject to the Illinois General Not for Profit Corporation Act. In particular, this makes the HOA subject to the following:
"Any voting member shall have the right to examine, in person or by agent, at any reasonable time or times, the corporation's books and records of account and minutes, and to make extracts therefrom, but only for a proper purpose. In order to exercise this right, a voting member must make written demand upon the corporation, stating with particularity the records sought to be examined and the purpose therefore." -- From Section 107.75 of the Illinois Not for Profit Corporation Act.

All the laws that are likely applicable to your HOA are linked at
https://www.hopb.co/illinois

What is in the Reserve Account will vary throughout the year. It's possible you mis-read. A budget is very different from a balance statement. (I think it's your HOA's monthly balance statements that you should request, for the last 13 months or so.) It's possible some major infrastructure was recently replaced or repaired.

I would contact the HOA manager and ask something like, 'Is there a time I may review the monthly balance statements going back 13 months? When I bought here circa May 2018, the HOA disclosed that some $73,000 was in the Reserve Fund. I would like to know how this amount has changed since I purchased here. Alternatively, and if it is more convenient, I would welcome being emailed the monthly balance statements from the last year. Thank you'

If the manager won't give you an appointment or won't give you copies, report back here.

Shannon

Budgets are best guesses as to what income and expenses are to be incurred. They are not actuals. Typically the 2019 Budget will be presented in late 2018. One of the Budget Line Items will show how much is expected to be put in Reserves in 2019 but it will not show how much is presently there. As an example we have a General Reserve of $100K with our 2019 Budget shows us expecting to put $10K in there during 2019.

A Financial Statement will show actuals like money collected, money spent, amount in Reserves. Our above $100K only shows up in our Financial Statements which we prepare monthly. We do not distribute the monthlies unless asked for. We must present Year End Financials which we do at our Annual Meeting.

Budget...best guess forecast.
Actuals..real financial numbers.