Transparency

Started by WillR • 9 replies • 1830 views

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WillR (Michigan)
Posts: 68

Posted:

At our last board meeting,the board has chosen to remove the monthly treasurers report from the website and to not show on the report the name of who got paid. Now if a member wants a Treasurer's report they can request one be mailed out but it will still not show who got paid only the amount. Mind you all of this is being done while a lawsuit is ongoing. Part of the suit is that our treasurer has made several reports for the same month each with different amounts as beginning and ending balances, and at one point had over $10,000.00 missing. A member has brought the board up on prejudicial conduct charges but the board refuses to take any action what so ever, instead they keep on doing what ever they want. Even destroying documents. Any suggestion , the lawsuit is on going but going slowly. We now also have learned that our pool has been draining into the lake and is a violation of the DEQ.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,047

Posted:

With pending litigation, this was probably on the advice of the attorney. If your concerned that it was something other than a learning curve for the Treasurer, just request a report each month.

Tim

MoM1 (Massachusetts)
Posts: 56

Posted:

Sounds like it is time to recruit other owners to run for the board. Hold a special meeting, recall the current board, and elect a new board. Remember the adage--where there is smoke there is fire

SusanW1 (Michigan)
Posts: 5,202

Posted:

Treasurer's reports are not "approved" at board meetings because there is no way to verify the accuracy. Hence, the board cannot "approve" the report.

The Members approve the Treasurer's audited report at the annual meeting.

Perhaps it is time to bring in professional help. Motion for an pre-audit review or at least a CPA to come in and make sure the accounting is being done using standard accounting procedures and the reports are accurate.

SteveM9 (Massachusetts)
Posts: 3,699

Posted:

Quote:

Part of the suit is that our treasurer has made several reports for the same month each with different amounts as beginning and ending balances, and at one point had over $10,000.00 missing.

If I were part of this, I would demand the HOA get xxx years of account statements from the bank. Start from there.

WillR (Michigan)
Posts: 68

Posted:

All great in theory but because the current group has such tight control none of these things will get done. Hence the lawsuit. As for a learning curve. Our treasurer works as a tax assessor , so you would think she knows numbers. Its just a very sad state that the place you hoped to live out your years in peace has to be ruined by the group only out for themselves.

SusanW1 (Michigan)
Posts: 5,202

Posted:

Will - you have made so many accusation in your original post that it's hard to figure out what the issues are or how to prioritize them.

Removing the treasurer's report from the web site is not a 'violation.' In fact, I am against web display of this information, unless HOA Members have an access password.

At our HOA meetings, the last thing on the agenda is when the treasurer lists the accounts payable, and the board approves their payment. The information - of knowing whose name is on the check - is something that an auditor can check out. The Y-T-D expenditures vs. the budget is a good way to track what's going on.

WillR (Michigan)
Posts: 68

Posted:

Sorry about that Susan, but our Association is so messed up that it hard to find a place to start, and when any organization gets taken over by a group who have "absolute power" even in as much that the annual meeting is ran as a Board meeting, the members have become compliant or have chosen not to pay or get involved. It is sooooo! bad here that even all the members of the Board are not informed of issues. Only those in the group are advised and allowed to take part.

JeffR7 (California)
Posts: 251

Posted:

Will, what are YOU going to do to make it better?

WillR (Michigan)
Posts: 68

Posted:

That's a great question Jeff, I am the one who has filed the lawsuit. As sad as that is that it has lead to a lawsuit sometimes that is what it takes. Now there will be those out there that say "just sour grape" but no. When I read how others are being ran then I know that there is hope for us to get back on track. For example, for some reason all except the President gets a vote. Why the other officer get one and not all. I have also questioned it. We have five subdivisions and a director for each. Seems to me that "only" the directors should be voting. If no one comes forward to be a director from their sub, then a buddies of the controlling group is put in no matter what subdivision they live in. The controlling group is so strong that even director are not fully advised of the business if they are not a part of the group. The group feels that as long as they get the group (as a majority) they can do whatever they want. My hope is that the court will appoint a temporary receiver and we can either get back on track following all laws, restriction and by-laws. If not then we should consider dissolving. But the members should be allowed to make the choice as it stands now the group has full and total control, "To hell with the rules". their quote not mine.

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