[Dionysos]

Originally Posted by Jazuela

That's a really myopic perception of the situation there. This isn't about what Villagers have to pay, or don't have to pay. It's about what ALL residents of the entire county, within and without the Villages, have to pay. And what the developer doesn't have to pay, even though other builders in the county have to pay.

As mentioned above: the going rate for "a builder" (generic) to build "a house" (generic) in Sumter County is $2600.

The going rate for THE Developer (specific) of The Villages (specific) is only $901.

As a result, THE Developer is getting around a 65% discount on building in the Villages, which makes it very easy to build in mass quantities. Meanwhile, Joe Builder elsewhere in the County has to shell out $2600 each time he builds a single-family house, so he has less ability to build as much or as quickly as THE Developer.

Basically - THE Developer has a monopoly and is pushing the generic developers, and homeowners, of "non-Villages" Sumter County, out of the county. Their prices continue to go up, but their services don't change. Villages prices remain steady, while the Developer profits because his initial costs are significantly lower.

How is this possible? Because he has strategic placement of "his" pet officials on the County Commissions.

Sounds more like a Oligarchy rather then a monopoly. It is Florida tho and sux for the average Joe.

Cheers