Board members too often drink the cool-aide of "oh well costs have to go up - Not so. I you examine each line item you can work to realize savings and balance the budget without necessarily increasing maitenance levels and getting caught in that spiral. I actually thing i this is something encouraged by managing companies as they work to justify increasing their fees. So, in shirt, don't be a sheep. be a dynamo board member. For example, obviously an increased tax rate help offset any increase in assessed value.