Doral mayor asks city attorney to study HOA/condo registry and small fee after residents’ testimony

Mayor Christie Fraga directed the city attorney to study whether Doral can require homeowners associations and condominium associations to register with the city and whether a modest fee could seed a fund to pay for investigations and legal work, after multiple residents testified about rising assessments and governance problems.

The move followed public comment from residents who described mounting costs and governance concerns. "We were paying $450 on association dues. We're up to 1,093," said resident Antonio Carbajo, who also said a structural integrity report requires his building's façade to be replaced and warned that special assessments can erode homeowners' equity. Joanna Sosa told the council the proposed advisory board is "timely and necessary" and could provide education and resources without interfering with association autonomy. Oberto Torres, who identified himself as president of the Landmark Adoral Condo Association and chair of the Landmark Adoral CDD, urged the council to include CDDs in any outreach. Cesar Abarca cited regional data and warned Miami‑Dade leads the region in HOA complaints.

Councilwoman Marie Porras, who introduced the advisory‑board discussion item, said the board's purpose would be limited to three functions: identifying state legislative priorities, supporting educational workshops for residents and board members, and strengthening communication between associations and the city. Porras emphasized the proposal would not replace association governance.

Fraga said the city already pursues several avenues — a police economic‑fraud unit, an annual workshop with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and the state attorney's office, and free certification courses for board members — but said those steps had not solved the problem for all residents. "I want to place a motion to ask our city attorney to look into requiring HOAs and condos to register and potentially charge a fee…to create a fund that will help investigate and provide relief on complaints to residents if these HOAs are found guilty of fraud," Fraga said.

Council members debated the proposal's scope and limits. Some warned an advisory board could create false expectations because the city lacks authority over many HOA governance matters, which are regulated at the state level by DBPR and by association covenants. Several members supported continuing workshops, working with the elections office to offer supervised HOA elections, and bringing DBPR to City Hall monthly for constituent services.

A motion by Mayor Fraga, seconded by Councilman Rafael Pinedo, directed the city attorney to research HOA/condo registry options, potential Business Tax Receipt (BTR)‑style registration or fee structures, and the feasibility of creating an earmarked fund for investigations and legal support; the item was to return to the council in 60 days. The recorded vote was Fraga yes, Pinedo yes, Councilman Reynoso yes, Councilwoman Porras no; the motion passed.

Next steps: the city attorney and city manager will prepare a report for the council's consideration in 60 days on whether the city has authority to require registration and to create a fund and, if so, proposed fee amounts and a draft ordinance or administrative procedure.