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TheBOARDcast

TheBOARDcast

By: Derek James
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About this listen

TheBOARDcast is a show dedicated exclusively to property association board members and owners. We offer a unique blend of education, community, and expert insight tailored to help board members govern more effectively and confidently.

© 2025 TheBOARDcast
Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • TheBOARDcast E10 (BrightView Landscape)
    Nov 27 2025

    With 30 years in the field, Marcus May shares how his team earned BrightView’s “Best Maintenance Branch” in the nation, why communication + follow-through beat fancy proposals, and how a big company’s resources translate into faster hurricane cleanup and steadier quality for HOAs.

    What we cover

    • Marcus’ path from college baseball to managing SWFL’s top landscape branch
    • Why responsiveness is the real differentiator in HOA landscaping
    • RFPs: answering line-by-line and submitting a “what you truly need” scope
    • Hurricane readiness: pre-authorized cleanup letters, inland staging yards, and East-Coast branch support
    • Large-property focus (Collier → Bonita Beach Rd.; Ave Maria/Immokalee growth)
    • Retaining crews: higher wages, E-Verify, and H-2B seasonal staffing
    • Development → Maintenance: turning new installs into long-term care
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    28 mins
  • TheBOARDcast E9 (Mehrhoff & Wright)
    Oct 19 2025

    I’m joined by Jeremy Mehrhoff and Frank Wright of Mehrhoff & Wright HOA CPA Firm —a firm that specializes exclusively in condominium associations, HOAs, and co-ops (CIRAs). With offices in Bonita Springs and Destin, they serve associations across Florida, focusing on audits, reviews, compilations, and tax returns—not day-to-day bookkeeping.

    What you’ll learn

    • Audit vs. Review vs. Compilation (what each includes, who needs which, typical costs)
    • Florida’s updated requirements (you can only waive financial reporting every other year now)

    Revenue thresholds at a glance

    • $500k+: Audit (at least every other year)
    • $300k–$500k: Review
    • $150k–$300k: Compilation


    • Internal controls that prevent fraud (board access/signers on bank accounts, oversight tips)
    • Taxes for associations (nonprofit ≠ no tax return)
      • What’s taxable: interest/investments, rentals, laundry, amenity fees
      • Filing choices: short HOA form vs. corporate return (30% vs. 21% flat rates) and why you can choose each year
      • Why most associations still end up owing $0 with proper deductions
    • Self-managed communities: why to consider professional bookkeeping and HOA-specific accounting platforms over generic tools
    • CEUs for CAMs: Their firm offers onsite lunch-and-learn courses (financials, audits, tax basics, budgeting).
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    24 mins
  • TheBOARDcast E8 (State Aluminum Solutions)
    Oct 7 2025

    If you’ve wondered why aluminum rules in Florida—or how to keep your carports, lanais, fences, and railings safe and storm-ready—this episode is a masterclass. I’m joined by Smoot Hull, owner of State Aluminum Solutions (also a licensed GC & roofing contractor), who splits time between Fort Myers and Sarasota serving condos/HOAs and large communities across the Gulf Coast.

    We cover:

    • Why Florida moved from steel/iron to aluminum (salt air, corrosion, safety)
    • Big code upgrades: larger posts/beams, deeper footers, engineered systems
    • What’s inside a modern carport build (structural aluminum, rebar, concrete footers)
    • Storm lessons from Ian, Helene & Milton and proactive risk mitigation
    • Real numbers: multi-phase carport replacements and why they’re expensive now
    • Maintenance & restoration that actually works: pull-tests, new fasteners/washers, silicone sealing, seam treatment, gutter cleaning, coatings
    • Fences & railings near pools and coastlines (landscaper weed-eater wear is real!)
    • How boards can plan: reserve study inputs, annual/biannual inspections, and free assessments

    Key takeaways for boards & managers

    • Don’t wait—inspect (pull-test fasteners, check seams, look for rusted hardware).
    • Prioritize life-safety: secure panels/edges now; phase coatings and cosmetics later.
    • Document storm damage, then mitigate (remove loose panels/carports to prevent secondary loss).
    • Put aluminum assets (carports, fences, railings, lanais) into your reserve schedule.
    • Expect engineering and bigger structural members under today’s code—budgets must reflect it.
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    41 mins
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