D.B. from Pinellas County, Florida writes:
Dear Mister Condo,
Our Dock Owners Association requires an annual contribution of $500 to be used for operating expenses. Can those funds be used for other purposes, such as legal fees? Also, do you know which Florida governmental agency regulates Dock Owners Associations?
Mister Condo replies:
D.B., if you are part of a dock owners association that is separate from your condominium or HOA, then you have to abide by their rules if you wish to use their docks. The Annual Fee would be at the Board’s discretion on how it was spent and that could very well include legal fees. I am unaware of any governmental agency that would offer oversight for a dock owners association other than normal Florida Corporation laws. If there is a charter and governing documents associated with the dock owner’s association, the Board is bound to operate within the scope of their authority as outlined in the documents. I haven’t heard anything outrageous here to make me think that they aren’t operating properly. All the best!