It’s Mid-October. Pumpkin Spice Budget Season

🥱 Mondays are Hard: It’s Mid-October. Pumpkin Spice Budget Season

Howdy, and happy Monday folks. Here’s a little something in your inbox on Monday mornings to make you sound smart to your boss in your upcoming meeting about a meeting 😁 🏡 HOA Horizons: October Edition —

Mid-October is here, and if your HOA budget isn’t ready—welcome to the chaos. But don’t fret: we’ve got tips, news, and tools to help you catch up before the board meeting meltdown.

💸 Is Mid-October Too Late? (Yes. But Let’s Pretend We’re On Schedule)

Here’s the reality: many HOAs aim to have their 2026 draft budgets ready by early October—reviewing contracts, updating cost projections, and securing board approval well before year-end. If you're still “collecting numbers,” you’re behind. That said, all is not lost.

The goal now is to triage. Focus first on essentials: critical repairs, contract renewals, realistic revenue forecasts. Delay the less urgent fluff. It’s better to have a solid, defensible budget than a perfect one that’s done in December.

Also: cold, hard facts sell better than vague wishes. Use recent trends (inflation, utility increases, vendor bids) to justify your numbers. When board members ask “Why so much higher?” you’ll have an answer stronger than “Because the landscaper hates us.”

🧾 7 Tips to Get Caught Up on Budget Season (and Actually Finish It)

Here’s your survival toolkit for finishing strong:

• Mirror Last Year’s Budget, Then Adjust
  Start from your last approved numbers. Adjust for what you know changed — costs, utilities, contracts — instead of reinventing everything.

• Lock in Vendor Quotes Now
  Get firm bids from your major vendors (landscaping, pool, security). Don’t leave it to “estimate later.”

• Phase Non-Essentials
  If a line item (amenity upgrade, landscaping embellishment) is noncritical, defer it to mid-year or next budget.

• Run Multiple Scenarios
  Prepare “base,” “stretch,” and “emergency” versions. That gives your board choices — and wiggle room.

• Pad Your Contingency Line
  Add 5–10% for surprises. Repairs don’t come by appointment.

• Hold a Preliminary Workshop
  Present a draft to key stakeholders (board, management, committee chairs) and get feedback before the final push.

• Use Budgeting Software or Tools
  Manual spreadsheets are error-prone under stress. Use HOA accounting/budget software (see Tools section) to automate calculations and version control.

🏃 The Race to Year-End (With Panache)

Your path from “behind” to “done” should be strategic:

1. Finalize the core line items (maintenance, utilities, reserve contributions).

2. Sort out discretionary or capital costs after the essentials.

3. Get feedback, refine, and package for presentation.

4. Introduce the draft to residents (if required) with clear commentary.

5. Approve and distribute before December (ideally).

If someone balks at increases, show them your backup “emergency scenario” and remind them this is the board’s job (not their favorite pastime). You might still hear whining, but you’ll have your defensive weapon: logic and documentation.

📰 The Karen Report: Recent HOA Headlines (Live Links)

• Carrollton Police Arrest HOA Treasurer for Embezzlement
  The treasurer for Provincial Park HOA in Carrollton was arrested on theft charges. Reminder: dual signatories and oversight matter. (Facebook)

• California Caps HOA Fines at $100 per Violation
  Under AB 130, HOAs in California face a $100 per-violation fine limit (excluding health/safety cases). Boards must revise enforcement schedules quickly. (LAist)

• AB 130 Enforcement Advice for HOAs
  A legal take: AB 130 has immediate impact—HOAs must classify certain violations as “health/safety” to exceed the $100 cap. (HBBLaw)

• Florida HOA Fraud: $800,000 Alleged Theft Raises Alarms
  A property manager is accused of stealing more than $800K from HOAs. Embezzlement risks are real — guard your finances. (Siegfried Rivera)

• Rogue HOA Board Exposed: The Hammocks Scandal
  Long-running investigation into board misconduct in a Florida association. Transparency and oversight aren’t optional. (HOA Detective Blog)

🏁 The Final Word: Survive October, Breeze December

If your budget isn’t done by October 31, don’t panic — but don’t be smug about it either. Use these tips, tools, and lessons from the headlines to push across that finish line. Once it’s approved, lock it in, put your feet up (briefly), and enjoy the smoother financial ride ahead.

Need help customizing your budget workbook or prepping your board presentation? Just holler.

Have a great week!