8.1. Budgeting and Allocating Common Expenses.
At least 60 days before the beginning of each fiscal year, if there is any change in the sums that the Board anticipates will be collected or expended by the Association in the coming fiscal year, the Board shall prepare a budget of the estimated Common Expenses for the coming year, including any contributions to be made to a reserve fund pursuant to Section 8.2. The budget shall also reflect the sources and estimated amounts of funds to cover such expenses, which may include any surplus to be applied from prior years, any income expected from sources other than assessments levied against the Units, and the amount to be generated through the levy of Base Assessments and Special Assessments against the Units, as authorized in Section 8.6.
The Association is hereby authorized to levy Base Assessments equally against all Units subject to assessment under Section 8.5 to fund the Common Expenses. In determining the Base Assessment rate per Unit, the Board may consider any assessment income expected to be generated from any additional Units reasonably anticipated to become subject to assessment during the fiscal year.
Declarant may, but shall not be obligated to, reduce the Base Assessment for any fiscal year by payment of a subsidy (in addition to any amounts paid by Declarant under Section 8.6(b)), which may be either a contribution, an advance against future assessments due from Declarant, or a loan, in Declarant's discretion. Any such subsidy shall be disclosed as a line item in the income portion of the budget. Payment of such subsidy in any year shall not obligate Declarant to continue payment of such subsidy in future years, unless otherwise provided in a written agreement between the Association and Declarant.
Within 30 days after the adoption of a final budget by the Board, the Board shall send to each Owner a copy of the final budget, notice of the amount of the Base Assessment to be levied pursuant to such budget, and notice of a meeting to consider ratification of the budget. Such meeting shall be held not less than 14 nor more than 60 days from the mailing of such materials, or within such other time period that may be mandated by law for non-profit homeowner associations, such as RCW 64.38.035. The budget and assessment shall be ratified unless disapproved at a meeting by Members representing more than 50% of the total Class "A" votes in the Association and by the Class "B" Member, if such exists. Such ratification shall be effective whether or not a quorum is present.
If any proposed budget is disapproved or the Board fails for any reason to determine the budget for any year, then the budget most recently in effect shall continue in effect until a new budget is determined. The Board may revise the budget and adjust the Base Assessment from time to time during the year, subject to the notice requirements and the right of the Members to disapprove the revised budget as set forth above.
8.2. Budgeting for Reserves.
The Board shall prepare and periodically review a reserve budget for the Areas of Common Responsibility for which the Association maintains capital items as a Common Expense. The budgets shall take into account the number and nature of replaceable assets, the expected life of each asset, and the expected repair or replacement cost. The Board shall include in the Common Expense budget adopted pursuant to Section 8.1 a capital contribution to fund reserves in an amount sufficient to meet the projected need with respect both to amount and timing by annual contributions over the budget period.
8.3. Special Assessments.
In addition to other authorized assessments, the Association may levy Special Assessments to cover unbudgeted expenses or expenses in excess of those budgeted. Any such Special Assessment may be levied as a Common Expense against the entire membership, if such Special Assessment is for Common Expenses. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Declaration, any Special Assessment shall require the affirmative vote or written consent of Members (if a Common Expense) representing more than 50% of the total votes allocated to Units which will be subject to such Special Assessment, and the affirmative vote or written consent of the Class "B" Members, if such exist. Special Assessments shall be payable in such manner and at such times as determined by the Board, and may be payable in installments extending beyond the fiscal year in which the Special Assessment is approved.
8.4. Specific Assessments.
The Association shall have the power to levy Specific Assessments against a particular Unit as follows:
- to cover the costs, including overhead and administrative costs, of providing services to Units upon request of an Owner pursuant to any menu of special services which may be offered by the Association. Specific Assessments for special services may be levied in advance of the provision of the requested service; and
- to cover costs incurred in bringing the Unit into compliance with the Governing Documents, or costs incurred as a consequence of the conduct of the Owner or occupants of the Unit, their agents, contractors, employees, licensees, invitees, or guests; provided, the Board shall give the Unit Owner prior written notice and an opportunity for a hearing, in accordance with the By-Laws, before levying any Specific Assessment under this subsection (b).
8.5. Authority To Assess Owners; Time of Payment.
Declarant hereby establishes and the Association is hereby authorized to levy assessments as provided for in this Article and elsewhere in the Governing Documents. The obligation to pay assessments shall commence as to each Unit, after the Board first determines a budget and levies assessments, six months after the Unit is submitted to this Declaration. The first annual Base Assessment levied on each Unit shall be adjusted according to the number of months remaining in the fiscal year at the time assessments commence on the Unit.
Assessments shall be paid in such manner and on such dates as the Board may establish. The Board may require advance payment of assessments at closing of the transfer of title to a Unit and impose special requirements for Owners with a history of delinquent payment. If the Board so elects, assessments may be paid in two or more installments. Unless the Board otherwise provides, the Base Assessment shall be due and payable in advance on the first day of each fiscal year. If any Owner is delinquent in paying any assessments or other charges levied on his Unit, the Board may require the outstanding balance on all assessments to be paid in full immediately.
8.6. Obligation for Assessments.
- Personal Obligation. Each Owner, by accepting a deed or entering into a Recorded contract of sale for any portion of the Properties, is deemed to covenant and agree to pay all assessments authorized in the Governing Documents. All assessments, together with interest (computed from its due date at a rate of 10% per annum or such higher rate as the Board may establish, subject to the limitations of Washington law), late charges as determined by Board resolution, costs, and reasonable attorneys' fees, shall be the personal obligation of each Owner and a lien upon each Unit until paid in full. Upon a transfer of title to a Unit, the grantee shall be jointly and severally liable for any assessments and other charges due at the time of conveyance.
Failure of the Board to fix assessment amounts or rates or to deliver or mail each Owner an assessment notice shall not be deemed a waiver, modification, or a release of any Owner from the obligation to pay assessments. In such event, each Owner shall continue to pay Base Assessments on the same basis as during the last year for which an assessment was made, if any, until a new assessment is levied, at which time the Association may retroactively assess any shortfalls in collections.
No Owner may exempt himself from liability for assessments by non-use of Common Area, abandonment of his Unit, or any other means. The obligation to pay assessments is a separate and independent covenant on the part of each Owner. No diminution or abatement of assessments or set¬off shall be claimed or allowed for any alleged failure of the Association or Board to take some action or perform some function required of it, or for inconvenience or discomfort arising from the making of repairs or improvements, or from any other action it takes.
Upon written request, the Association shall furnish to any Owner liable for any type of assessment a certificate in writing signed by an Association officer setting forth whether such assessment has been paid. Such certificate shall be conclusive evidence of payment. The Association may require the advance payment of a reasonable processing fee for the issuance of such certificate.
- Declarant's Option To Fund Budget Deficits. During the Class "B" Control Period, Declarant may satisfy its obligation for assessments, if any, on Units which it owns either by paying such assessments in the same manner as any other Owner or by paying the difference between the amount of assessments levied on all other Units subject to assessment and the amount of actual expenditures by the Association during the fiscal year. Unless Declarant otherwise notifies the Board in writing at least 60 days before the beginning of each fiscal year, Declarant shall be deemed to have elected to continue paying on the same basis as during the immediately preceding fiscal year. Regardless of Declarant's election, Declarant's obligations hereunder may be satisfied in the form of cash or by "in kind" contributions of services or materials, or by a combination of these. After termination of the Class "B" Control Period, Declarant shall pay assessments on its unsold Units in the same manner as any other Owner.
8.7. Lien for Assessments.
The Association shall have a lien against each Unit to secure payment of delinquent assessments, as well as interest, late charges (subject to the limitations of Washington law), and costs of collection (including attorneys fees). Such lien shall be superior to all other liens, except (a) the liens of all taxes, bonds, assessments, and other levies which by law would be superior, and (b) the lien or charge of any Recorded first Mortgage (meaning any Recorded Mortgage with first priority over other Mortgages) made in good faith and for value. Such lien, when delinquent, may be enforced by suit, judgment, and judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure.
The Association may bid for the Unit at the foreclosure sale and acquire, hold, lease, mortgage, and convey the Unit. While a Unit is owned by the Association following foreclosure: (a) no right to vote shall be exercised on its behalf; (b) no assessment shall be levied on it; and (c) each other Unit shall be charged, in addition to its usual assessment, its pro rata share of the assessment that would have been charged such Unit had it not been acquired by the Association. The Association may sue for unpaid assessments and other charges authorized hereunder without foreclosing or waiving the lien securing the same.
Sale or transfer of any Unit shall not affect the assessment lien or relieve such Unit from the lien for any subsequent assessments. However, the sale or transfer of any Unit pursuant to foreclosure of the first Mortgage shall extinguish the lien as to any installments of such assessments due prior to the Mortgagee's foreclosure. The subsequent Owner to the foreclosed Unit shall not be personally liable for assessments on such Unit due prior to such acquisition of title. Such unpaid assessments shall be deemed to be Common Expenses collectible from Owners of all Units subject to assessment under Section 8.5, including such acquirer, its successors and assigns.
8.8 Suspension of Voting Rights.
In the event any Member shall be in arrears in the payment of the assessments due or shall be in default of the performance of any of the terms of this Declaration, the Articles and Bylaws of the Association, the rules or regulations adopted by the Association, for a period of thirty (30) days, the Member's right to vote may be suspended by the Board, and if suspended shall remain suspended until all payments, together with interest, late fees, and attorneys' fees and costs, if any, are brought current and all defaults remedied. In addition, the Association shall have such other remedies against such delinquent Members as may be provided in the Articles, Bylaws, the Declaration, or Washington state law.
8.9. Exempt Property.
The following property shall be exempt from payment of Base Assessments and Special Assessments:
- All Common Area and such portions of the property owned by Declarant as are included in the Areas of Common Responsibility; and
- Any property dedicated or conveyed to and accepted by any governmental authority or public utility.
In addition, Declarant and/or the Association shall have the right, but not the obligation, to grant exemptions to certain Persons qualifying for tax exempt status under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code so long as such Persons own property subject to this Declaration for purposes listed in Section 501(c).
8.10. Capitalization of Association.
Upon acquisition of record title to a Unit by the first Owner thereof other than Declarant or a Builder, a contribution shall be made by or on behalf of the purchaser to the working capital of the Association in the amount of $300.00. This amount shall be in addition to, not in lieu of, the annual Base Assessment and shall not be considered an advance payment of such assessment. This amount shall be deposited into the purchase and sales escrow and disbursed therefrom to the Association for use in covering operating expenses and other expenses incurred by the Association pursuant to this Declaration and the By-Laws.
|