[Goldwingnut]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

They got new trash contractors in north starting October. naturally they cost goes up and service goes down. They removed cap this year on amenities Rates so they can raise them anytime they want us residents have no say. I think new areas are 165 and some old areas when up to 159? Mine Was 135 when I moved here 6 years go which don’t include utilities and trash service aNd of course taxes.

Actually, the resident do have a say on the raising of the Amenity Fee and they are protected from any arbitrary increases. There are only 3 ways for the Amenity Fee can go up (explained here The Villages 8/17/20 Construction Update and The Amenity Fee (part 2) - YouTube) and none are discretionary.

The Deferral Rate was never a "Cap" it was a deferral of an increase above $155. When the Deferral Rate was not renewed on 1 October 2019, there were two additional actions that could have also happened that didn't.
1) some or all of the deferred rate increases could have immediately been implemented, If you'd had no increase for 3 years then all 3 years of increases could have been implemented on 1 Oct 2019, this didn't happen.
2) some or all of the deferred Amenity Fee could have been billed and collected, if you'd been at the deferral rate for 3 years and had a 3% CPI adjustment each year you had a total of just over $340 in increases that had been deferred that could have been billed and been immediately due, again, this didn't happen.

On 1 October 2018 the Prevailing Rate Amenity Fee went from $145 to $159, the first increase in about 5 years
on 1 January 2020 the Prevailing Rate Amenity Fee went up to $162
Neither of these affected current homeowners unless they purchase a home after these dates. The purchase could be a new home or a resale anywhere in The Villages, as per the deed restrictions.

Utilities, trash fees, and taxes are not relevant to the Amenity Fee.