Quote:
Originally Posted by EdVinMass
Lets not confuse the issue by using the trail fee argument as a justification for allowing the developer to add fees at his whim to the basic amenities and pocketing the revenue.
The trail fees are revenues that go into the operating funds of the amenites and offsets the cost of maintaining the executive course golf cart paths. That revenue I believe is listed on the Village Center Community Development District's (VCCDD) Recreational Amenities Division (RAD) annual budget as "Parks & Recreation Fees & Charges" to the tune of 1.6 million dollars. Here's a link to that http://www.districtgov.org/vccdd/you...bas_090131.pdf
As far as I know, not one cent of the 8 dollars per month charged for the online tee time system ends up in the revenues of the VCCDD's RAD.
Now if I'm wrong about that and those fees are in fact revenue to the VCCDD, then I would withdraw my objection to it and any discussion of the issue can focus on whether or not one feels it's worth the value added and use it or not based on personal choice. |
The argument could also be made that the presence or absence of the online system in no way affects anyone's ability to golf at the villages. How would you quantify this added value then? Resident 1 may be golfing 7 days a week using the phone system with no complaints. Resident 2 may be doing the same via the online system, also with no complaints. What's the difference of benefit? One might say, "It's too hard to work with groups on the phone." Others then might say, "I don't care about groups. It works fine for me and my small group."
Nevertheless, let's cut to the chase. The REAL argument is about you not getting access FOR FREE right?...with "FREE" meaning that whatever the cost, it is spread among every resident. In other words, why should you pay $8 when you could by paying $1 or $2? If it was $0 there would be no problem whatsoever right?! That's what's going on here. You want to use whatever tool possible (now legal documents) to force the issue, so you can use the online tee time system for free.
So then, why not advocate that the district pay for it then? Charge every house a couple of bucks a month and be done with it. Then you get it for FREE. Provided that $2 bucks a house would cover the costs. Never mind those who have no need for it or ever want it. Make them pay anyway.
I have to say, fwiw, this is how the US got so screwed up. Some group in Oregon needs 50-million bucks for something. Instead of them forking over the cash, they tickle the ears of their representative (and leave a few bucks in his pocket), and he goes back to Washington and gets it appropriated. Then I, way down here in Florida, get to help pay a few cents for a little project in Oregon that I will never see, touch, smell, or worse of all, even know that I paid for part of it.