Longtime owner since 90's reported 20 years of unpaid dues after audit and Serial Meeting so the " I want her gone" campaign started 2/12/2020
Self Managed HOA -Board member Pushes Elderly Owner 2024
This comprehensive timeline documents a dramatic shift in HOA financial priorities from 2020-2025. What began as a community-focused budget emphasizing property maintenance and improvements transformed into a legal-expense-dominated spending pattern that has left essential repairs deferred and owners questioning budget transparency.
Key Findings:
- 400% increase in legal spending since 2020-Ddelays with record requests
- Maintenance budget reduced by an estimated 60%
- Outstanding debt to legal firm (loan) not disclosed to HOA owners until 5/2025
- Emergency assessment of $65K due to lack of Capital Improvement planning
2020: Leadership Change and New Spending Patterns
February 2020
- New HOA leadership takes office
- Shift in budget priorities becomes apparent over subsequent months
Mid-2020 Onward
- Significant increase in legal expenses begins
- Reduction in routine maintenance and repair allocations
- Introduction of legal firm (Epsten Law) as primary budget expense
2021-2024: Escalating Legal Costs
Ongoing Pattern Established:
- Legal expenses consistently prioritized over infrastructure maintenance
- Deferred repairs accumulate across multiple units and common areas
- Owner requests for maintenance receive delayed or limited response
- Legal spending exceeds typical HOA operational percentages
Financial Impact:
- Legal expenses reportedly exceed 25% of HOA revenue
- Outstanding debt accumulates with legal firm
- Emergency assessments become necessary due to deferred maintenance
2025: Current Financial Crisis
January 2025
- $41,000 fine levied against single unit owner
- Additional legal expenses authorized without full owner disclosure
March-May 2025
- Continued deferral of essential repairs
- Reports of infrastructure problems affecting multiple units
- Owner complaints about maintenance delays go unaddressed
June 2025: Urgent Financial Decisions
- Immediate Crisis: Outstanding loan payments to legal firm
- New Request: Additional $5,000 authorization for continued legal expenses
- Timeline Pressure: Urgent vote scheduled for end of June
- Owner Concern: Proposed CCR amendments not yet disclosed to owners
Financial Transparency Issues
Lack of Owner Input
- Major financial decisions made without full owner consultation
- Loans obtained for legal expenses without comprehensive owner approval
- Spending priorities shifted from maintenance to legal without owner vote
Documentation Problems
- No recent independent financial audit despite significant spending changes
- Draft financial statements provided instead of final audited reports
- Limited access to detailed expense breakdowns
Budget Allocation Concerns
- Maintenance backlog grows while legal spending increases
- Infrastructure problems worsen due to delayed repairs
- Community assets deteriorate while legal expenses consume budget
Current Situation Summary
What Owners Face:
- Outstanding legal debt requiring immediate payment
- Request for additional $5,000 legal authorization
- Deferred maintenance creating potential safety and property value issues
- Pressure to approve spending without full financial disclosure
Timeline Pressure:
- Urgent vote scheduled despite lack of detailed financial information
- Proposed amendments not yet available for owner review
- Limited time for owners to evaluate financial implications
Community Impact:
- Shift from collaborative community management to adversarial legal approach
- Reduced focus on property maintenance and community improvements
- Financial strain on association due to disproportionate legal spending
Questions for Community Consideration
- Budget Priorities: Should legal expenses continue to exceed maintenance spending?
- Financial Oversight: How can owners ensure transparent financial management?
- Long-term Sustainability: What is the impact of continued legal spending on property values and community well-being?
- Democratic Process: How can owners ensure adequate time to review major financial decisions?
Moving Forward
Recommendations for Financial Stability:
- Independent financial audit by qualified CPA
- Transparent budget process with owner input
- Balanced approach to legal expenses and maintenance needs
- Clear policies for major financial decisions requiring owner approval
Community Engagement:
- Regular financial reports to all owners
- Adequate time for review of proposed spending
- Open discussion of budget priorities
- Focus on solutions that benefit entire community