raising dues

Our association is having trouble raising dues. We have opposition from the elderley on a fixed income and property owners who own multiple lots. The need for increased dues is known by all. I was wondering if anyone out there has a creative compromise that I may be able to present to the association.

Been there.. Done that. Our HOA only nominally raised rates 5 times over 16 years and their paying for it now. "Pay me now, or Pay me later". Reserve studies are required in this state every 5 years that it says it all. How IS your reserve fund?... and when was the last study done. Everyone is looking at large increases or surcharges from their contract vendors due to fuel/energy costs. It's a tough decision, but if you don't do it now, you all could be looking at assessments down the road. I'm not so sure that you want to compromise on this most important issue. Sorry, I'm not empathizing to much with the owners that have multiple lots, but I do feel for the folks with folks with fixed incomes.

I would really scrutinize(?) your expenses including vendors, especially if recommended by PM. I have found they/PM have their favorites and really don't care to shop around. Yes, they get 3 bids
but that shouldn't stop you from seeing if there is a better, cheaper
way to do it. Example: A wooden side gate needed 2 posts and new lock, some paint. Gate was ok. Estimate was $750. The vendor detailed the job to make it look like a room addition. Bottom line
2 posts, rehang the good gate, paint and new latch. He resubmitted bid for $400..which was ok with the board. I know it tricky because
the vendors need insurance including worker's comp......but get real.
Good luck
Jackie

Increasing fees.

Paul and Jackie and everyone else are on target.

But an observation is in order and some have touched on it. Great preparations and justifications are instituted to increase budgets. We even have our our dues linked to the CPI. A process I don't like, because it is just like walking down the street each year and finding a bunch of money, then going home and figuring out how to spend it.

What I have never seen at a board meeting, lo these many years, is a reverse long range plan (sic). I have heard all Board expound on how tight the budget is and of course there is a budget published, for what that is worth. But most is just lip service about how the board is scimping and saving. No transparences of how we saved x amount of dollars by doing Y, or we did not give the manager a bonus this year because we can't afford it, or we sold x amount of old lumber to y for z amount of $.
There should be an agenda item at each annual meeting that actually requires budget items to be broken down into individual explanation. No more line items like:
Discretionary fund..........................10k
Office expenses.............................5K
Milage charges..............................6 K