Your HOA and the Local Government –
For most of us, there are areas in our lives where we’d prefer the government not play a big role—and that’s understandable. The role of the government, as it relates to your HOA, is an important one to understand, however. Knowing what the government can do for your community, and having open channels of communication with your local governing body, can ultimately be highly beneficial for your Association and its residents.
Whatever our views of government may be, it’s imperative to remember that there are certain services that local governing bodies perform on our behalf—whether it’s sewage or electrical services, garbage pickup, sidewalk maintenance, or simply the upkeep of street lights. These are services that we all benefit from—and for any HOA, having these services rendered by an outside agency is a major boon.
Sometimes, however, these services are not performed adequately, or they need adjustment in some way. That’s when it becomes necessary to ask the local government for some help. Having a good, working relationship with the local government—whether it’s a city council member or a representative of the country board of supervisors—can prove invaluable.
The question, then, is how does your HOA establish a good, working relationship with a local government official? The short answer is not to simply start calling your local representative, totally out of the blue, with crazy requests or high-maintenance demands! Instead, invite that government official to an HOA event, like a picnic or BBQ. Start the relationship on friendly terms.
The government representative may even enjoy coming to a meeting of your HOA board. Remember that this is a chance for him or her to play an interactive role in discussing real-world issues—with many potential voters in the room to watch!
Ultimately, knowing someone from the local government can be a major asset to any HOA board, and can go a long way toward helping your community navigate prickly issues with far greater ease.