It can be a challenge for the members of a homeowners association (HOA) board to get anything done in a timely manner. Not only do they need to monitor the community to enforce standards for property maintenance, but they also have to ensure the proper care and development of communal spaces.
Every minor decision, from adding a new trash company to the list of approved vendors for the community to changing the bylaws about acceptable plants for front lawns can take weeks to make. Community members have the right to weigh in on any pending changes to established rules and any upcoming contracts that will use HOA funds.
Is it possible for the board to hold some meetings behind closed doors for the sake of efficiency?
Utah’s laws on meeting transparency are clear
Even if HOA board members only have authority in their local community, they are still in a position to abuse that power. Nepotism, kickbacks and other forms of corruption can occur even at the local level. Therefore, HOA board meetings that have an impact on policy or the budget are subject to state law.
Utah has regulations requiring that HOA meetings be available to the public. The board should announce the meeting schedule ahead of time and away that allows all community members to participate should they so desire. The board should make its agenda or minutes available for review and should provide time for members of the public to provide feedback or raise questions about proposed policy changes.
When an HOA holds a board meeting behind closed doors, community members may have reason to question any decisions made at that meeting and could even seek to take action against the board members, such as their removal from their role in the community. An HOA board must comply with Utah state law if it hopes to serve as a respectable authority within the community.
The decision to make meetings open to the public and to allow community feedback is beneficial not just from a legal compliance standpoint but also for the purpose of preserving a healthy working relationship with local homeowners. Understanding the rules that govern HOA boards will help those serving their local communities do so more effectively.