[villages07]

There was a brief mention in the Daily Sun about an item on the Sumter County Commissioners board meeting agenda .... about a grant application to support nightly entertainment at the 2 Sumter County Town Squares... Lake Sumter and Brownwood.

I did a little digging on the Sumter County Commissioners website, located the agenda item and supporting documents. It's under Section E Contracts and Agreements, item #2

http://www.sumtercountyfl.gov/Files/.../01222013.html

Anyway, it appears that the Villages applied to The Sumter County Tourism Development Council for a grant to help support nightly entertainment at LSL and Brownwood for period from 1/22-9/30/2013 (end of the fiscal year). The grant is for $60K with a $50K match by the Villages. The grant is justified by saying the nightly entertainment brings in many visitors, promotes the county, and generates tourist tax revenue.

Hmmm, this is a clever way to help underwrite the expense of nightly entertainment which we have always been told was paid for by the commercial businesses and the Developer.

Now, all citizens of Sumter County (not just Villagers) will contribute via our tax payments to the county. I am assuming, but have not verified, that the Tourist Council grant funds come from county tax revenues and not some state or federal source.

Hopefully, this will generate some thoughtful discussion and not turn into a flame the Developer tirade. The good news is there is a plan to continue entertainment. The bad news is we (and all citizens of Sumter) will indirectly pay part of the bill.