HOA BOARD refuses to answer Where is Money

I moved into gated community in April of 2005. I went to first meetings of our HOA and because I have years of Property Management experience I was asked by then President to help. I pointed out some obvious problems like gates standing open etc. Over time I recognized that this President with want "help" he wanted allies. He wanted members to 'rubber stamp' expenditures (for a new entrance which would cost hundreds of thousands) and a water feature that I knew was not only a liability where it would be located but totally unnecessary to continue the great look that the HOA next to us had. Then the budget came - and went -....the budget they put out in 2006 was NOT followed and, in fact, this Board fired the existing Property Management person (who was just fine) and the landscaping company (also just fine) and hired a new Property Management company..who reps about 100 local HOA's and are the worst I've ever seen...they farm out billing of monthly dues but still manage to mess that up, which is why many of us pay a month in advance...they'll get the bills to us that were supposed to be for the 1st of a month, around the 12th and then the due date is the 15th and they have the gall to charge some of my neighbors late fees!! They obviously do not even do a drive through (trash in gutter or in park stays there up to 3 weeks) ... but the big deal is the web site. I had said that we needed a web site so we could communicate with each other. People were using it and then the person on the Board who recoils when asked "WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING" (now $ 45,000 more a year for property management and landscaping...with less landscaping services) just killed the open forum again. WE can't log on. HE tried to say that the board would sue anyone who was 'causing trouble'....so I'm sure you get the picture. Aside from going to the meetings (which by the way, they've dropped two this year I know of...when the CC&R's say they need one a month)..what can we do? Didn't I hear that the Secretary of State of CA was going to have some forum or help for us HOA members? I'd appreciate the help. I don't give a hoot about the politics...this is like High School (only worse) all over again. Don't they have to show where the money has gone? Thanks!

Dottie,

Of course they have to show the homeowners where their money is going. When the budget is not followed question why? This is best done at an open meeting of the BOD. They cannot avoid the question. Request the financials, as per your doc's.

As for firing and hiring another PM company; all I can say from experience, is that most homeowners do not what goes on behind the scene. If you really want to know the answers to all, get involved. Run for the BOD, join a committee. Then your thoughts may change.

Sorry Jean, I meant my answer for Dottie!!

I'm trying to understand what you find obstructionist in his reply.

He's mentioned that detail information is available at board meetings. He's even offered to meet you before or after to show you, I presume, the books.

What is missing that you won't be able to review with this format? I'm not seeing it.

Susan and all,
Although on the surface the replies you have received ffrom your board may well ne an attempt to provide you with hte information you request I do not agree with the other posting that you are the one unreasonable here.
I just don't know from what you have posted. I understand the effort here to try and redirect your interests into aa more productive mode of action. However, you have right also and I find the above (if exact in context) to be as much of a problem as your interests are being labled as a problem.
The Board member was not, IMHO, open and receptive to your interests. I don't know from this posting what your motivations are and maybe the Board does. You took the time to write and to me that spells concern, not a bad thing in an HOA, sometimes you run into personality conflicts, maybe that is part of the problem. I suspect you could have prepared your questions in a more organized form and that means in writing with a request for response. Seems you all have started off on the wrong foot more than anything and by going to an open Board meeting, read your concerns, stay away from opinions, offer any assistance you can to mediate your requests and formally request what you want to see or provided. I suspect your are just touching the tip of the immovable object. Boards can become very protective about their written words and react defensive, I see some of this here. But as the others have responded, so can HO become very offensive because they feel they are being ignored and react defensively to being told they should be part of the solution. They tend to conclude; if the Board would do what is right I could spend some time being involved.
So, best to not less this problem boil over, for the good of the HOA, and back off a little and take a smaller step. Believe me, your requests may have all the validity in the world, but don't make the additional problem be; they don't like me. You sound smart, do the smart thing to get what you want. IMHO

Paul,
I hope you are being "tongue in cheek" with your advice to join the board and get the inside info. I find is distrubing that the board will at tims take that position. Very little should be "inside information". 99% should be "sunshine information". Certainly this poster's desire to see the books is legitimate, but dollars to doughnuts, if she ever gets to see the books they will be what they want to show her. IMHO the Treasuer has the authority to grant this request, but you and I both know that the Board is likely to discuss what she can see ad naseum in the time proven ploy to CYA.

I'm sorry. I forgot to mention something. This is VERBAL. You'll notice that he said detailed reports were unnecessary. Yes, this very unfriendly person will meet with me before or after a meeting, but he isn't about to write anything down for you or print something up on the computer. The previous management company always had hand outs for people to take with them. we also have a huge investor/owner population who can't get the info either, as they do not attend meetings as they are out of towners.