CT August 2026

PRESIDENT’S CORNER Ryan Fleming, CIRMS, EBP

2026 CAI-NJ PRESIDENT THE BALDWIN GROUP

CAI-NJ TEAM

Strong Financials Are the Foundation of a Strong Community

JACLYN OLSZEWSKI, CAE CHAPTER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JACLYN@CAINJ.ORG ROBIN SURGENT SENIOR DIRECTOR OF CHAPTER DEVELOPMENT ROBIN@CAINJ.ORG BROOKE STOPPIELLO-NEVINS COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

W hen people evaluate a community association, they often focus on vis ible measures of size and complexity. How many homes are there? Is there a clubhouse? Does the community have a pool, fitness center, or private roads? While these factors certainly influence operations, they tell only part of the story.

“Strong community association financials are not simply about having money in the bank.”

The true risk profile and long-term stability of a community association are determined by something far less visible: its financial health. Strong community association finan cials are not simply about having money in the bank. They reflect the board’s

BROOKE@CAINJ.ORG JOCELYN GARLOCK EDUCATION MANAGER JOCELYN@CAINJ.ORG EMILY NAJJAR, MBA

EVENTS MANAGER EMILY@CAINJ.ORG PAYTON ROTHMAN ADMINISTRATIVE MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR PAYTON@CAINJ.ORG

commitment to responsible governance, strategic planning, and protecting prop erty values for current and future homeowners. In today’s environment of rising costs, aging infrastructure, and increasing homeowner expectations, financial

stewardship has never been more important. Looking Beyond Community Size

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It is easy to assume that larger communities present greater risk than smaller ones. Likewise, a community with extensive amenities may appear more chal lenging to manage than one with limited common elements. In reality, risk is influenced by far more than the number of units or the size of the clubhouse. A 50-unit community with inadequate reserves and deferred maintenance may represent significantly greater risk than a 500-unit association with healthy finan cials, a disciplined maintenance program, and a well-informed board. Similarly, a community with modest amenities can face substantial financial challenges if it lacks proper planning for future repairs and replacements. The most successful associations recognize that financial strength is not mea sured by size. It is measured by preparedness. The Importance of Operating Fund Health A healthy operating budget serves as the backbone of day-to-day community operations. It funds essential services such as landscaping, snow removal, utili ties, insurance, management, and routine maintenance. When operating funds are insufficient, associations can quickly find themselves reacting to problems rather than managing them proactively. Deferred mainte

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