August Minutes (continued) - Dues, Going Up

This post is a continuation of my thoughts about the August 2025 Minutes.

Finance:

Last item first:

"(Director) Brenda Bryant made a motion for the HOA dues to increase by $50 in 2026, [sic] Danny Trapp seconded the motion, and all approved."

What's wrong?

There apparently was no discussion about the reason for a dues increase. OK, so everybody knew it was coming. At previous meetings, it was mentioned, although the talk was of $25 increase in January 2026 and $25 increase in July. Now it sounds like $50 in January 2026.

Why wasn't William Hill, now recognized as Board Treasurer, at the meeting to make the Motion?

Why was the dues increase announced and voted on at the August 5th Board Meeting?

How does the Board know a dues increase is needed, other than the fact that they should have voted an increase in November 2024! The Board is spending money hand-over-fist every month on Motions. The Variances (over-spending) shown in the Financial Reports every month, but never discussed, are out-of-control.

To determine whether a dues (Assessment) increase is needed, first the Expense Budget for 2026 needs to be worked out and finalized. Then the Income Budget should be calculated. The Finance Committee did that in 2024 and got shot down at the pre-board meeting before the November 12, 2024 annual meeting.

There are too many directors on the Board who don't understand money. 

A $50 increase in 2026 will be insufficient to maintain the solvency of the HOA.

I hear in my neighborhood that I am being blamed for the dues increase. My neighbors are complaining to one another (but not to me) that I, a resident, am in favor of an increase.

I would remind them, and you, that it was the Finance Committee in the Fall of 2024 that asked the Board for a $50 increase. Because they did that in a private, closed, non-public, pre-board meeting and not in a public, open, Regular Board Meeting, most homeowners don't know that some on the Board, without a vote, shot them down and prevented the increase.

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