Fiore Board of Directors
2025/2026 Term
Homeowners associations (aka the HOA) at the Fiore are governed by a board of directors. They manage the day-to-day operations of the association and ensure that the community functions properly. The condo association's board of directors at Fiore at the Gardens is a government in miniature. The board members are elected by the condo owners to run the association and manage condominium property.
Steph Finkelstein
President
Kevin Allen
Treasurer
George Sterlacci
Director
Brian Clancy
Vice President
Trevor Frobose
Secrectary
Board Certifcation
Florida has implemented new education requirements for Homeowners' Association (HOA) board members as of July 1, 2024, requiring newly elected or appointed directors to complete a 4-hour certification course within 90 days of taking office, and all directors to complete ongoing annual continuing education hours, with the amount varying based on the size of the association. Source: FL US Statutes
Maintenance
Condo owners handle repairs on their own units, but it's the board's job to fix problems with the common areas-the buildings exterior, the hallways and amenities such as a pool; cabana or volleyball court. The board must arrange for regular inspections and maintenance and, if multiple repairs are necessary, the directors must set priorities for which problem needs fixing first. In some cases, the board may put projects out to bid, in which case the directors must review the bids and pick the best one. Fiore at the Gardens association hired First Service Management Company, to deal with such issues, but the ultimate legal responsibility goes back to the board.
Rules and Covenants
The first priority for a condo board of directors is to carry out its duties in accordance with state law and the governing documents of the condo associations. The directors are also responsible for enforcing the covenants-the rules for residents-and doing so uniformly and fairly, including obeying the same rules themselves. That responsibility requires the directors to review complaints, decide if the covenants or rules have been violated, and impose fines on owners who have broken the rules. IF it becomes necessary to change or revise the rules, that's also the board's responsibility. Beyond the requirements specifically written into the law and the governing documents, directors are obligated to act in their official capacity in the best interests of the associations.
Finance
It's up to the board of directors to handle the condo association’s money. Every member of an association is assessed a fee which funds association operations, such as repairs and administration. It's the director's job, to review the next year's budget and set the annual fees to pay for services while maintaining a reserve for emergencies. The directors must take action against owners who don' pay, if an owner continues to refuse, the directors have an obligation to the other association members to take Legal action.
Why meeting minutes are important?
Board meeting minutes and other reports are available to all homeowners thru the property managers office
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You shouldn't be intimidated by the term "minutes" since it's actually a little misleading. After all, the Board doesn't want or need a record of its meeting proceedings minute by minute! But it is important to capture the essence of the meeting, including details such as
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Decisions made (motions made, votes, etc.)
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next steps planned
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identification and tracking of action items
Minutes are a tangible record of the meeting for its participants and a source of information for members and owner who were unable to attend. In some cases, meeting minutes can act as a reference point, for example:
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When a meeting's outcomes impact other collaborative activites or projects within the association
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Minutes can serve to notify (or remind) individuals of tasks assigned to them and/or timelines
Compliance for Directors
All HOA directors, whether newly elected or appointed on or after July 1, 2024, must complete a 4-hour board member certification course approved by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) within 90 days of their election or appointment. This course covers topics like financial literacy, transparency, recordkeeping, levying of fines, and notice and meeting requirements. The certificate of completion is valid for up to 4 years.
Failure to meet these educational requirements can lead to suspension from the board until compliance is achieved, though the validity of board actions remains unaffected.
While not a certification course in itself, directors are also required to certify in writing that they have read and will uphold the association's governing documents, including the declaration, articles of incorporation, bylaws, and current written policies.
These new requirements are designed to enhance the competence and professionalism of HOA board members, ensuring better management and financial transparency within communities.
The DBPR offers a free 4-hour Board Member Certification Program that meets the new statutory requirements, and more information about these legislative updates can be found on the Florida Senate website.