SB 154 - what this may cost you - $300 Billion?

An Opinion By Jan Bergemann 
President, Cyber Citizens For Justice, Inc.

Published March 28, 2023

We have at many occasions talked about the cost for owners living in hi-rise condominiums caused initially by SB-4D enacted after last year's session. During this year's legislative session Senator Jennifer Bradley (SB 154) is offering some remedies to ease the financial burden, but in reality these are just band-aids, not a real cure.

Ken Kmet has managed Florida coastal condominiums and HOA’s as a CEO for over 40 years. He serves as a management consultant to community associations via his website CONDOVOICE  and has provided construction management services for over 100 restoration building projects.  Ken has put together an interesting video that should show you what the real cost for condo owners will be -- after SB 154. Take a look at the video and the numbers and you will see that it's even worse than anticipated.

WATCH THE VIDEO

Ken Kmet explains what the cost to consumers may be for this legislation, using a detailed spreadsheet and official documents. Previously published state documents provide little or no explanation of the public and private sector impact and costs.

 

We all know that management companies lack the expertise to supervise structural construction work -- even if they try to charge associations for it -- see small print in many association management contracts -- in my opinion a total waste of good association funds.

 

Ken Kmet is also offering a solution to remedy this problem. Here are his suggestions:

  • Identifying which buildings really need to be done

  • Creating a Florida Building Restoration Code (FBRC), and appropriate the money to do so , over 5 years.  The first year would be the heavy lifting, and successive years there will also be much work to do.  Perhaps these appropriations can be adjusted annually based on what is accomplished.  

And he offered this amendment to Senator Jennifer Bradley to add to her bill:

Section 13. The Florida Building Commission will assign a task force to do the following. 

a.  Create a Florida Building Restoration Code (FBRC).  The purpose and intent of this act is to provide a mechanism for the uniform adoption, updating, amendment, interpretation, and enforcement of a single, unified state building restoration code, to be called the Florida Building Restoration Code, which consists of a single set of documents that apply to the restoration of existing buildings, including design, construction, erection, alteration, modification, repair, or demolition of existing public or private buildings, structures, or facilities in this state and to the enforcement of such requirements and which will allow effective and reasonable protection for public safety, health, and general welfare for all the people of Florida at the most reasonable cost to the consumer.

b. In greater detail and specificity, to further identify and label all buildings which are required by definition in this act to have a “milestone inspection” performed.  All buildings shall be identified and uniquely labeled, using criteria as the task force deems necessary, and in accordance with other terms and conditions of this act, such that each building will be designated as having to have a milestone inspection, or not. This master data base of identified structures will be maintained and updated annually by the Florida Building Commission.   

c.  For the 2023-2028 fiscal years, the sums of $1,500,000 in recurring funds and $1,750,000 in nonrecurring funds are appropriated, and the cost of 20 full time employees with associated salaried rate of $1,700,00 are authorized for the purpose of implementing this act.

 

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