Delegating the Budget

Source: Adrian J. Adams Esq.

QUESTION: Our CC&Rs state “The Board shall prepare an operating budget.” However, the board delegates it to the general manager. If the budget is created and passed in violation of our CC&Rs, is it valid?

ANSWER: It is not a violation of the CC&Rs for the board to delegate preparation of the budget. The Corporations Code specifically authorizes the delegation of duties. (Corp. Code §7210.) 

Nondelegable Duties. There are only a handful of duties that boards cannot delegate, i.e., cannot be assigned or transferred to someone else. They include the following:

•  Attending board meetings and voting on motions.

    •  Filling vacancies on the board. (Corp. Code §7212(a)(2).)

    •  Appointing executive committees.

    •  Approving settlement agreements (Elnekave v. Via Dolce.)

CONCLUSION: A manager or a budget committee can put together a draft budget for the board’s review and approval. Once approved by the board, an “Annual Budget Report” and “Annual Policy Statement” must be delivered to the membership 30 to 90 days prior to the start of the association’s fiscal year. (See Disclosure Checklist.)