The three buckets
- Annual operating: routine cleaning, post-storm sweeps, pond BMP service.
- Recurring inspection: SFWMD ERP O&M inspection under Chapter 62-330.
- Reserve: 5-year drainage recertification and corrective repairs.
Realistic numbers for a mid-size HOA (150 to 300 units, 2 ponds)
- Annual catch basin cleaning: $3,500 to $8,000 (bundled mobilization).
- Post-storm sweep after named events: $600 to $1,200 per event.
- Pond littoral maintenance: $1,200 to $3,000 per year.
- SFWMD ERP inspection: $2,500 to $5,500 annually.
- Reserve for 5-year recert + corrective: $8,000 to $20,000 over 5 years.
Total annual: $7,000 to $18,000 in a normal storm year for a mid-size community, plus reserve accrual of $1,600 to $4,000/year for the 5-year event.
Where boards under-budget
Corrective work uncovered at recertification, such as pipe repairs, control-structure rebuilds, or littoral restoration, is the number that causes special assessments. Fund the reserve every year and it won't.
The bundling multiplier
Cleaning all inlets in a single mobilization vs. piecemeal saves 25 to 40%. Pairing the SFWMD inspection with the annual cleaning saves another crew day. See Boca Raton HOA notes for local examples.
