2026-08-09 Joe Coyle’s Response to the 2026-08-05 email sent by Max Kolshak.

IH Membership,
This will be my last email on this subject for a while. I honestly don’t want to be a nuisance, but this is important. I am writing because a number of quieter members have told me they are uncomfortable watching the same pattern repeat, and I share that concern.
No Board is perfect. Serving on one is hard work when done seriously. I and others who previously served took that responsibility seriously. What we did not do was answer a direct question by pointing somewhere else.
The current response attempts to equate the 2024 pickup-truck purchase with the recent tractor purchase. The two situations are not the same.

2024 Pickup Truck
The truck was part of the written compensation package used to recruit a new manager after the prior manager announced retirement. That package was reviewed by the Board.
The truck was already in the Asset Replacement schedule.
Even without the manager change, the existing truck was at the end of its useful life for highway use.
After the purchase, the office issued the usual monthly checks. Joe Coyle was an authorized signer at that time. Check-signing is an administrative function (“one-over-one”), not a Board vote.

2026 Tractor
Not listed in any Asset Replacement schedule I have been able to locate.
Not included in the 2026 budget.
Mentioned only in passing in Finance Committee minutes that were not published as required.
Purchased, 100% financed, delivered, and placed in service before any membership notice or Board ratification.
Financed even though the Association had sufficient funds on hand. The result is ongoing monthly finance charges (I have already been given three different numbers for the amount).
A used tractor with more than 500 hours, plus a financed extended warranty, acquired with little apparent due diligence. Comparable new units of the same model were available at similar or lower cost and already carried a manufacturer’s warranty.

The 2024 Board included Barbara Roberts and Carla Sapp. If a procedural misstep had occurred with the truck, those members or any other Board member could have raised it at the time. None did.
Indian Hammock now owns three large tractors. A friend who runs a sizable construction company (2,500+ employees) maintains roughly one tractor for every twelve operators. We have three tractors. The relevance of that ratio may be limited in a residential community, but it does raise a practical question about utilization and cost.
Boards of Directors of Florida homeowners’ associations have a fiduciary duty to the members. That duty includes careful planning, transparent process, and prudent use of Association funds. Ratifying a six-figure, unbudgeted, fully financed purchase after the fact does not meet that standard.
I encourage every member to read the Board and Finance Committee minutes, ask questions, and attend meetings when possible. Our property values and the long-term health of the community depend on it.
Stay informed.
Joe Coyle

From: Indian Hammock President Barbara.Roberts@ihammock.net
Sent: Wednesday, August 5, 2026 4:50 PM
To: Joe Coyle joe@coyle.ws
Subject: From the president

Joe,
FROM THE DESK OF MAX KOLSHAK
Treasurer

To the Members of Indian Hammock
Dear Members,

In light of the recent email circulated by former Board member Joe Coyle regarding the Board’s ratification of the tractor purchase, I believe it is important that all members have the complete factual background.

The current Board has been criticized for ratifying the purchase of a tractor. However, Association records show that a very similar situation occurred under the previous Board with the purchase of a truck.

The Association’s records show the following:

            On January 27, 2024, the purchase agreement for a truck was signed by then Treasurer Corey Miller and not the president David Bass

            On January 30, 2024, a $40,000 Association check was signed by Joe Coyle and Bob Baum to complete the purchase of which Bob Baum was not an approved signer.

            The January 24, 2024, Board Meeting Minutes list the approved bank signers as Joe Coyle, Tim Ward, Corey Miller, and Matt Dorriety.

            By the time of the February 18, 2024, Board Meeting, the truck had already been purchased, delivered to Indian Hammock, and was being used by the Association.

            At that meeting, the Board unanimously voted to approve the purchase after it had already occurred.

            The truck was on the reserve budget for $35,000 not $40,000 This item needed Board approval

Because the purchase had already been completed, the Board was effectively approving an action that had already taken place. The current Board’s ratification of the tractor purchase follows Roberts Rules of Order

My purpose in providing this information is not to criticize former Board members. Rather, it is to ensure that all Board actions are judged by the same standard and that members have the complete factual record before drawing conclusions.

As Treasurer, I believe transparency, consistency, and accountability should apply equally to every Board, regardless of who is serving.

I encourage every member to review the Board minutes and Association records and make an informed decision based on the documented facts.

Thank you for your continued interest.

Respectfully,
Max Kolshak, Treasurer

2026-08-04 Joe Coyle Lot 106/181 BOD Violation
To the members of Indian Hammock Hunt & Riding Club.
Subject: Two Questionable Decisions: The Unbudgeted $100,000 Tractor Purchase

This is a story of two very questionable decisions.
The first questionable decision was the unplanned purchase of a used ~$100,000.00 tractor. The second questionable decision was to subvert our governing rules as well as state laws set forth in FLA Stat. 720.

Let me explain:

Several weeks ago, our Manager, Ron Sapp requested the Hammock purchase a third ~$100,000.00 air-conditioned tractor. This is the largest capital purchase Indian Hammock has ever made, and it is NOT in our budget!

You might ask why we would need a third tractor? We already own 2 full-size tractors with mowing attachments. AND several months ago, we replaced our lawn mowing employee with a new lawn mowing service for $1,800.00 a month.

At the July 24th Finance Committee Meeting, Treasurer Max Kolshak informed everyone that President Barbara Roberts purchased a used tractor on July 16th and financed 100% of the tractor price. Subsequently, Treasurer Max Kolshak explained he called each person on the Finance Committee and each board member to let them know of the purchase, so they could ratify the transaction at the July 26th Board of Directors meeting — ten days after the fact. One Finance Committee member denied this happened. 

So, in the prior two Finance Committee meetings (May and June), there was no substantive discussion of the tractor purchase, and no recommendation was brought to the Board of Directors for approval. In fact, there were no BOD discussions on record until after the 100%-financed purchase — and the tractor was already on IH property and being used by staff!

These actions are in direct violation of the protections in our Finance SOP and governing documents.

They are also in violation of FLA Stat. 720 Sunshine Law. This unbudgeted ~$100,000.00 purchase by President Barbara Roberts was again done without Finance recommendation or Board approval.

Indian Hammock and the State have rules and laws to protect HOAs from decisions made without transparency and proper approval.

WHAT WAS THE DIRE NEED FOR THIS UNPLANNED PURCHASE?

We spent $106,983.72 on a used tractor with 511 hours. Treasurer Max Kolshak stated that we were saving $35,000–$50,000 and needed immediate action. A quick internet search located an identical brand-new 2026 model for ~$110,000.00 — NEW!

WHY WAS THE COMMUNITY KEPT IN THE DARK?

What was so urgent that proper recommendations and approvals were not sought from the very bodies elected to protect owners and act in a fiduciary capacity?

When significant financial decisions happen outside of public view, the only safeguard is an informed membership. I encourage everyone to review the records and ask questions.

Best regards,
Joe Coyle