Reducing Utility Expenses is Easier Than You Think

Take a look at your communities electric bills.  You probably see several meters being billed to the community.   Now take a closer look. 

How many meters are billed for small dollar amounts?  Something in the neighborhood of $15.00 to $30.00 per month.  Now look closer.  How many are billed for 3 to 5 KWH each month?  I found 5 meters being billed for small amounts of usage.  In fact the taxes and usage costs were around $1.50 per month for each of the 5 meters.  The meter rental fee is more than the cost of the electricity around $17.00 per meter. 

If these are meters running to the irrigation system then get controllers that use batteries.  It could add up to a savings of around $900.00 per year.   

Look at the Soil in Your HOA as the Source of Landscaping Problems

The soil in which you are cultivating dictates the plants that will grow and how much water needed to grow them.  Soil that is good for growing sugarcane is considered to be poorly draining soil for growing wheat.  Growing plants purchased from a nursery may be grown in the area but, aren't growing in native soil.  These plants are growing in rich black soil that drains well with organic matter and lots of nutrients. 

Scottsdale Water Rates Increase July 1, 2012 Updated

Some board members have been using the scare tactic that if we don't reduce usage the city will go to a tiered billing system.  Scottsdale has always been on a tiered billing system for water.  The base fee is based on the meter size and the usage is based on gallons used and has been for many years. 

Information Missing from Your HOA Budget

A budget is more than just determining how much will be spent based on historical costs. It's more than just numbers on a paper to use as a guideline. It provides the information needed to make economical decisions and determine what is a bargin and what is not. The only problem is that most budgets are missing the information nessasary to know bargin shopping.

2012 HOA Related Legislation

This is a list of House Bills and Senate Bills proposed and those adopted during the Jan 2012 - May 2012 session.  Only two were placed into law (title in red).  I'm surprised that some of these failed because they are exactly the kind of legislation needed to change the way board members and owners behave.  I hope to see a few of these bills get resurrected and passed into law in the very near future.

Atty.: Civil lawsuit likely in Martin shooting -Orlando Sentinel

This is a prime example why all associations should maintain more money in the reserve fund than the reserve study says is 100%.  For my community a $2,000.00 special assessment would come out to be only $348,000.00.   Wrongful death suits award millions of dollars to the survivors.  It would cost each owner in my community around $5,747.00 each to cover a 1 million dollars and $19,500.00 to pay a 3.4 million dollar suit like the one in Hawaii.  With most policies covering only 1 million leaving the owners to cover the balance, it would still cost 11k each. 

How much would you have to pay if your community had to cough up this kind of cash?  Everyone thinks it can never happen to them until it does. 

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-03-29/business/os-trayvon-martin-hoa-20120329_1_cyber-citizens-homeowner-crime-watch-members

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/videogallery/69134959/News/Atty-Civil-lawsuit-likely-in-Martin-shooting

Atty.: Civil lawsuit likely in Martin shooting -Orlando Sentinel

This is a prime example why all associations should maintain more money in the reserve fund than the reserve study says is 100%.  For my community a $2,000.00 special assessment would come out to be only $348,000.00.   Wrongful death suits award millions of dollars to the survivors.  It would cost each owner in my community around $5,747.00 each to cover a 1 million dollars and $19,500.00 to pay a 3.4 million dollar suit like the one in Hawaii.  With most policies covering only 1 million leaving the owners to cover the balance, it would still cost 11k each. 

How much would you have to pay if your community had to cough up this kind of cash?  Everyone thinks it can never happen to them until it does. 

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-03-29/business/os-trayvon-martin-hoa-20120329_1_cyber-citizens-homeowner-crime-watch-members

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/videogallery/69134959/News/Atty-Civil-lawsuit-likely-in-Martin-shooting

HOA Could Face Hefty Bill If Sued by Trayvon Martin's Family or Asked to Pay Shooter's Defense Costs - News - ABA Journal

I've been wondering when someone was going to address the role the HOA played.  It goes to show that anyone put into any position of authority like; a neighborhood watch committee chair, without any guidelines, policies, procedures, or limitations to follow will make decisions based on thier own beliefs. It also shows how people in authoritive roles are looking for fame or make a name for themselves in the community.   
This article in the ABA was written before Zimmerman was charged. 
HOA Could Face Hefty Bill If Sued by Trayvon Martin's Family or Asked to Pay Shooter's Defense Costs - News - ABA Journal

3 More Lawyers Are Charged in Las Vegas Homeowner Association Fraud Case - News - ABA Journal

More arrests with more to come.  Make me wonder if it isn't happening here in AZ.


3 More Lawyers Are Charged in Las Vegas Homeowner Association Fraud Case - News - ABA Journal

CAN HOA RULES CROSS THE LINE?

A law that took effect July 2011, allowing videotaping and tape recording open portions of monthly board meeting and meeting of the membership.  The law reads as follows;