Florida DBPR Arbitrator Issues Strongly Worded Demand, Homeowners Sue Board Of Directors.
BY: STAFF REPORT | BocaNewsNow.com
PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2022 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A Palm Beach County Property Owners Association, ordered to hold a new election due to problems with an election it conducted, is refusing to abide by the order issued by an arbitrator for the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
The Deer Run Property Association held an election on May 6th, but according to documents reviewed by BocaNewsNow.com, several ballots were never opened and counted. Homeowners filed a complaint with the Florida DBPR which took up the case. After the traditional back-and-forth, an Arbitrator ultimately ordered the property owners association to hold a new election. The POA, according to court documents, agreed — but then never moved forward.
That angered homeowners who demanded a fair and free election. The Arbitrator was angered as well that his order was ignored, leading him to write this in December:
“The arbitrator concludes that the actions of the Association and its counsel have been egregious and have willfully and intentionally deprived the members of the Association from being able to vote at a properly noticed election for the board of directors from May 6, 2021 to the present. Such egregious conduct cannot be permitted.”
The Arbitrator demanded that the POA comply with his order within several days, but there has still been no election. Now, homeowners are suing the POA in Palm Beach County Circuit Court where a judge could impose fines on the board members who refuse to hold the new election.
Read the complete document, below.
