During the council reports section of Tuesday’s Titusville City Council meeting, Councilmember Megan Moscoso brought a growing neighborhood concern to the forefront: the widespread issue of inactive and defunct Homeowners Associations (HOAs) and the threat they pose to local infrastructure.

Moscoso explained that during recent field visits throughout the community, she observed that many recurring drainage problems stem directly from HOAs that have dissolved or stopped operating without notice.

When an association becomes inactive, shared stormwater management systems—such as retention ponds and drainage pipes—go unmaintained, ultimately leading to unexpected flooding for nearby homeowners. Because the city receives no formal notice when an HOA ceases operations, local officials often only discover the problem after a major drainage failure occurs.

To address the gap, Moscoso requested that city staff begin evaluating solutions to keep the municipality informed. Her suggestions included establishing a comprehensive inventory to track active versus inactive HOAs across Titusville, as well as developing a reporting tool where residents can notify the city if an HOA has dissolved or is neglecting shared infrastructure.

Councilmember Sarah Stokel added that the issue also intersects with city utility billing. HOAs that maintain their own retention ponds currently receive discounts on their stormwater fees. If an association silently disbands, residents might continue receiving those discounts despite the infrastructure falling into disrepair.

Stokel emphasized the need for clearer processes and community education so HOA board members and homeowners fully understand the legal and financial repercussions of dissolving an association.

Mayor Andrew Connors agreed that the first logical step is determining the sheer volume of HOAs operating—or no longer operating—within city limits. City staff will begin gathering data on local HOAs and explore potential oversight tools to protect neighborhood drainage systems moving forward.