Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikeod
So, how is this any different from other municipalities, counties, or states that provide tax and other incentives to get companies to move into them? Certainly the tax shortfall created has to be addressed by a tax increase.
The Villages isn’t the only one building in Sumter. Perhaps the county was concerned raising impact fees across the board may discourage other builders and reduce potential tax revenue.
Perhaps the county saw an opportunity to dramatically increase its tax base through increased building of residential and commercial property and, at the same time, address the need for a comprehensive improvement in surface routes in the county.
And I don’t remember reading that the developer won’t also have to pay the increase on all his property, such as unsold homes, the squares, the commercial areas, etc. maybe I missed that.
To me, the only ones with a legitimate gripe are those living in other areas of the county that believes they are ignored in favor of Villages residents.
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Tax incentives are given to entice investment. No incentives were needed to get the Developer to invest here. In fact, the great majority of Sumter County residents would have been happy to see The Villages not expand further, as was originally promised.
What is going on here is nothing more than a gift to the Developer from his toadies on the County Commission, and it is indefensible.