Can it be legal for the community to collect public funds?

It is legal for the community to collect public funds. Energy consumption of water, electricity, coal, etc. Components, equipment and facilities used in community and public services are called public energy consumption, and the resulting expenses are called public energy consumption. Public energy consumption and property fees are two different independent charging items, belonging to an agency service fee, which needs to be paid separately by the owner, accounted separately, reasonably shared and publicized to the owner on a regular basis.

Regulations of People's Republic of China (PRC) Municipality on Property Management

Article 40

Property service charges should follow the principles of rationality, openness and adaptability between fees and service levels, and distinguish the nature and characteristics of different properties. The owners and the realty service enterprise shall, according to the charging standards for realty service formulated by the competent price department of the State Council in conjunction with the administrative department of construction of the State Council, stipulate in the realty service contract. Article 44

Within the property management area, water supply, power supply, gas supply, heating, communication, cable TV and other units shall charge relevant fees to the end users.

The realty service enterprise shall not charge additional fees such as handling fees to the owners if it accepts the entrusted collection of money.