Powers of Condo Board Members

We are part of a newer condo development and the last single family condo has now been built. The original developer is out of the picture due to legal issues but the islands on our road were never finished and now that all the building is over understandably the Board wants to finish the these islands. My question is, do we as the unit owners get to have some input into how these islands are landscaped? At these point the Board told us how the 3 of them want these islands to look and didn't allow us to say anything about it. Instead they are just asking us how we want to pay for it. I could be wrong but I thought since each of us own 1/20th of those islands we would be able to share our ideas and a vote would be taken. The President disagrees and says he can do whatever he wants. Your thoughts? Some are concerned about what next they will tell us they want to create and then just make us to pay for it. Forgive me as all this condo stuff is so new to us and we need some education in what is allowed or not allowed. Thank you in advance.

Generally speaking, the board is elected to make the decisions required for running the association. You should check your governing docs (CCRs, Deed Restrictions, Master Deed, Bylaws are some names they go by) and see if there are any limits on what the board can do unilaterally. Some docs limit special assessments or dues increases over a certain amount without membership approval.

Now that you are getting more familiar with the issues of condo living, you might want to consider running for the board or finding like minded owners to run at the next election. If you can't wait for normal elections, there is also the possibility of a recall vote to replace board members at any time, but that needs to be done legally correctly to have any validity. Your governing docs and/or state law might have the procedure.

Nancy

I agree, a BOD decision.

Being an association member/owner does not mean you get to vote on every issue. The BID is elected to make decisions.

Kerry is right about the BOD decides. In out case with a BOD of five, at least 3 must approve and it the Pres is only one vote. Presidents of the BOD are not as powerful as many, including some Presidents, believe. Push come to shove, they are only one vote.

Technically true, but in the case of a forceful president, the reality comes down the whether the rest of the board has a spine.

Douglas and Kerry speak the truth. Presidents who are running the show -- and often violating all manner of covenants -- because the other directors have no spine is pretty common and come up here a lot.