The Homeowners Association of La Casa, Inc. (HOA) is the governing body that oversees the operation of La Casa. The HOA Board of Directors is composed of nine directors elected by the shareholders. Elections are held each February and terms of office are typically three years with one-third of the directors being elected each year. The directors elect their officers each year: President, Vice-president, Treasurer and Secretary. The Board of Directors meets twice each month and the meetings are open to all residents. On the second Wednesday of the month, the HOA has a meeting to set the agenda for the HOA Board of Directors meeting to be held on the third Wednesday.
Residents have opportunities to speak at HOA meetings. At the beginning of a meeting, a resident can address an issue on the agenda, or the resident can wait until the end of the meeting and bring up an issue of interest. Naturally, there are a few rules about when and for how long a resident can speak but rules just make meetings more professional and respectful. Residents do not vote at monthly meetings because these are meetings of the Board of Directors. At the Annual Meeting each February, shareholders are able to vote on agenda items.
La Casa has shareholder and non-shareholder residents. Shareholder governance is regulated by Florida Statutes (FL 719) and non-shareholder by FL 723. The Florida Administrative Code, Chapters 61B through 79, provides guidance on many topics for Homeowner Associations. Florida state law requires that members of the Board of Directors take a class each year to stay up-to-date on current law and best practices.
Residents also serve on committees which advise the HOA) on a variety of topics. For example, when the Recreation Hall needed a new kitchen, a committee was formed to survey the residents for their wishes/needs before the renovations were undertaken. Also, the Clubhouse was completely remodeled with guidance from a committee. Standing committees such as Finance, Contract Review and Firewise as well as adhoc committees (those formed for a specific purpose, then disbanded when their work is done) have a liaison from the HOA Board of Directors. That Board Member serves as a communication conduit from the committee to the HOA Board.
Since La Casa is a Resident Owned Park, the Board employs a Certified Association Manager (CAM) licensed Park Manager, an Accountant and an office assistant. Their office is located within the park and is accessible to all residents. The real estate salesperson is also located in that same office. A maintenance supervisor and several maintenance workers are also employed to perform the many tasks arising daily in a park with 974 homes situated on 228 acres. Maintaining the grounds, pools, tennis courts, bocce courts, recreation hall, club house, activity building and the other amenities in addition to the cost of utilities is a multi-million dollar venture each year. Through judicious management and budgeting, there is still an ample reserve fund for future expenses and for emergencies.