When the HOA announced a dues increase this year, residents were told the decision was driven in part by rising costs — including bulk trash removal.
On its face, that explanation sounded reasonable. Rising costs are a reality everywhere. But when the actual budget numbers are reviewed, a very different picture emerges.
According to the HOA’s own published financials, the total annual cost of bulk trash removal is $2,300.
At the same time, the approved budget reflects an increase in total homeowner assessments of approximately $43,000 per year.
That gap — between what residents are paying and what was cited as justification — is difficult to reconcile.
What the Budget Shows
The figures are straightforward:
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Total annual HOA budget: ~$671,000
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Total increase in homeowner assessments: ~$43,000
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Cost of bulk trash removal: $2,300
In other words, the expense used to help justify the increase represents less than one percent of the additional money being collected.
That doesn’t mean bulk trash has no cost. It does.
But it does mean it cannot reasonably explain the scale of the increase on its own.
Why This Matters
No one disputes that costs rise over time. Insurance, utilities, maintenance, and reserves all fluctuate. Responsible homeowners understand that.
What concerns many residents is not that assessments increased – it’s how the increase was explained.
When a relatively small expense is highlighted as a driving factor behind a much larger increase, it raises reasonable questions:
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What expenses actually account for the remaining tens of thousands of dollars?
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Why weren’t those drivers clearly outlined?
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Was the explanation meant to simplify, or did it unintentionally obscure the bigger picture?
Transparency matters, especially when it comes to shared finances.
This Is About Clarity, Not Accusation
Nothing here suggests misconduct.
But clarity matters in any organization – especially one funded entirely by its members.
When explanations don’t align with the numbers, residents are right to ask for more detail. Not to assign blame, but to understand how decisions are made and how their money is being used.
Clear numbers build trust.
Vague explanations erode it.
The Question That Remains
If a $2,300 expense was highlighted as justification for a $43,000 increase, what factors actually drove the remaining $40,000+?
That’s not an accusation.
It’s a reasonable question – and one that deserves a clear, data-backed answer.