Having been on both sides of the same coin, in looking at a budget as an owner and preparing them as a strata manager I can say, Tell the Strata Manager to take her bat and ball and go.
As an Owner its my responsibility to ensure that the budget is appropriate for the short and long term needs of the property. As a strata manager its my duty to prepare such a budget. But its not my budget! Its the Owners. If they decide on a different budget that’s their responsibility.
I only insist on two things that the levies be enough to pay for building insurance and to pay the strata manager (I don’t work for free). If the owner decided that they don’t need funds for a cleaner, services, maintenance or upkeep in the future. Then they are fools, but nothing in the legislation says fools can’t own a strata lot.