I thought this was really interesting.

"While CDDs are technically a form of local government, officials working for them are exempt from traditional rules meant to minimize conflict of interest by the Florida Statute governing CDDs (F.S. 190). This gives wide latitude for questionable Board behaviour since the boards are initially controlled by individuals appointed by the developer. In the case of The Villages, appearances of potential conflicts of interest have been frequent. The creation of the initial Villages CDDs was endorsed by Sumter County in 1992 following review and recommendation of the county's attorney Randall Thornton. Immediately following the County's support of the CDD, Thornton was also hired by the newly created Villages CDD, earning him over $US200,000 for his work for The Villages while simultaneously earning a $US90,000 annual salary for his work with the county (Sargent & Campbell 2000)."
http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/sec...tart=768593209


Checked link August 27, 2008.