I believe most folks are very confused about how the County pays for things. And I believe the "reporting" is stating it in a very confusing way "on purpose".
I am not taking sides. I just would like to separate the facts into very simple concepts.
The County has a budget based on what it needs going forward. Sumter needs more fire stations, roads, all infrastructure, etc "BECAUSE" The Villages is "EXPANDING" at a rate that does not exist anywhere else.
In Texas, the Counties do not issue Building Permits unless the DEVELOPER pays for EVERYTHING as part of the deal. If the development is really big, the developer must pay for a new school, police stations, fire station, roads, underground utilities, etc.
But in Sumter, somehow the developer gets the County to pay for everything needed. And then the developer gets the home owner to take over the BOND that was used to actually build the developers site. So the Developer has figured out how to collect enormous profits and avoid the normal expenses others pay.
Sumter County has to get money from somewhere. It is confusing because it is also ironic. The Villages expands creating the need for jobs and businesses but doesn't pay the needed costs supplying police, fire, water, roads, utilities, etc.
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