Tell me is isn't true

[mtdjed]

I am out of the area at this time but have been advised that the new Sumter County Budget proposal includes a provision to increase the county commissioners salary to over $100,000 plus benefits. Is this true? Would be getting close to US Congress salaries for another part time job. This has to be totally false or a joke.

If true , these persons should be (fill in the blanks).

[vinricci]

Shocking treatment of us Villagers. Room the Commissioners (Coms) selected only held 400 and was filled 30 minutes before meeting started. Coms would not allow the hundreds of people in the lobby in.
Sumter County Commissioners states that their salary is mandated by the State based on population. Then one of them said that when the Developers weren’t sure about expanding beyond 44, the Commissioners encouraged the powers that be to expand because not doing so would put construction workers out of work.
All this expansion is not only increasing the damage to our roadways, requiring all of us to pay for additional services and coincidentally putting more $$ in the Com’s pockets. So those of us on fixed incomes who did not ask for all the new expansion and don’t benefit from it are expected to pay to repair damage to infrastructure and increased services.
So when will it stop? Never as long as Coms pay is tied to population. Or when many of us choose to leave Sumter County.
Next meeting is in Bushnell in September at an even smaller venue. I’m sure Coms chose that place instead of The Villages hoping we don’t show up.

[Spoiler]

Where do I apply for this job?

[dewilson58]

OP............Not true.

[Kgcetm]

The commissioners are elected officials. They serve 4-year staggered terms. We elected them thinking we were making the right decision for our community. It seems that we did not make a good decision for those of us living in The Villages. We will have our chance to revisit our previous decision several times over the next few years. I will remind all who voted for the increase, who they are running against and that person's position on various methods of increasing our taxes. If you don't like it enough, then throw them out of office but make certain that the people we choose to replace them are capable of making sound decisions that are good for The Villages.

I went to the meeting last night and was turned away at 4:32 p.m. It's difficult to understand how the Commission could not understand the importance of this meeting to Villagers and made the necessary arrangements to either accommodate everyone at this meeting or announce prior to last night's meeting the time and place of additional meetings to address the concerns of the community. I believe the Commission behaved in an arbitrary manner and is operating in an absolute vacuum. There were reasons this Commission did not increase our taxes for 13 years and those reasons did not include caring about the welfare of fixed income retirees living in the Villages. Assessed property values decreased between 2008-2013 and without an increase in our millage rate, tax revenue from existing residents declined. They have not addressed new construction tax revenue other than to say that as The Villages approach a population of 150,000 it becomes more expensive to operate. I think many people have a difficult time with that statement, but it was made.

Our assessed values should be addressed on a regularly scheduled basis. Millage rates should be addressed as well but not to offset lost tax revenue in a declining real estate market. A 25% increase in the millage rate is absurd. How long do you think it will be before the Commission comes back with their plan to increase the property assessments?

Their increase in salary and benefits simply makes them look like what they are. These folks are going to get approximately 50% of their salary in retirement benefits...did you ever get that? Probably not, and they shouldn't either.

That's all for now but I promise this isn't going to get any prettier any time soon.

[bagboy]

Shocking treatment of us Villagers. Room the Commissioners (Coms) selected only held 400 and was filled 30 minutes before meeting started. Coms would not allow the hundreds of people in the lobby in.
Sumter County Commissioners states that their salary is mandated by the State based on population. Then one of them said that when the Developers weren’t sure about expanding beyond 44, the Commissioners encouraged the powers that be to expand because not doing so would put construction workers out of work.
All this expansion is not only increasing the damage to our roadways, requiring all of us to pay for additional services and coincidentally putting more $$ in the Com’s pockets. So those of us on fixed incomes who did not ask for all the new expansion and don’t benefit from it are expected to pay to repair damage to infrastructure and increased services.
So when will it stop? Never as long as Coms pay is tied to population. Or when many of us choose to leave Sumter County.
Next meeting is in Bushnell in September at an even smaller venue. I’m sure Coms chose that place instead of The Villages hoping we don’t show up.

Some folks probably said the same thing when your village was built and you moved here.

[skyking]

Not true. They are currently paid $58,000 per year and the budget proposes a 9.8% increase, thus $63,684 per year.

What other wild rumors have you heard?

[Chatbrat]

How does their salary affect you ? who cares

[Bogie Shooter]

Sumter Official Take Questions About Tax Hike (Daily Sun, July 24 2019

A plan to raise Sumter County property taxes---the first increase in 14 years—to meet public safety needs is spurring questions from hundreds of residents.

Officials provided some of their answers on Tuesday to an overflow crowd of more than 400 at Colony Cottage Recreation Center, even though the issue was not on the commission's agenda.

County Administrator Bradley Arnold said the 24% increase – a rate still significantly lower than the county's historical high-- is needed to provide services such as traffic control and a proper level of law enforcement to a growing population.

He also took questions about an upcoming bump in commissioners' pay, explaining that their rate is set by a state formula, not by themselves.

No vote will be taken until Truth In Millage (TRIM) notices are sent to home-owners in August.
In the mean time, Arnold invited residents to email questions to him at bradley.arnold@sumtercountyfl.gov or call him at 352-689-4400.

[Velvet]

Finally, something I can chew on.

[Marathon Man]

I am out of the area at this time but have been advised that the new Sumter County Budget proposal includes a provision to increase the county commissioners salary to over $100,000 plus benefits. Is this true? Would be getting close to US Congress salaries for another part time job. This has to be totally false or a joke.

If true , these persons should be (fill in the blanks).

I'm really curious. Would you please tell us from where this info came? And, no, it's not true.

[dmorhome]

Canceled meeting and moved it to Bushnell,hoping people will not show up smart move on there part.The villages is not what it use to be,24 % raise in Taxes should take care of the so called happiest home town or should I say CITY WITH GREED.

[Bogie Shooter]

Canceled meeting and moved it to Bushnell,hoping people will not show up smart move on there part.The villages is not what it use to be,24 % raise in Taxes should take care of the so called happiest home town or should I say CITY WITH GREED.

Cancelled meeting?
You need to get informed...…………..

Here is a start:

Sumter County Commissioners
Meeting Locations

Second Tuesdays:
Sumter County Courthouse
215 East McCollum Ave.
Historic Courtroom
Bushnell, FL 33513

Third Tuesdays - Workshop:
The Villages Sumter County Service Center
7375 Powell Road
Room 102
Wildwood, FL 34785

Fourth Tuesdays:
Colony Cottage Regional Recreation Center
510 Colony Blvd.
Parlor Room
The Villages, FL 32162

[Villageswimmer]

I’m really behind the curve on this. Is the proposed 25% increase on the Sumter County tax AND the Sumter County school Board tax? The first two line items on the bill, right?

Is it on “market” value, “assessed” value, or “taxable” value?

Forgive me for being out of the loop.

[PennBF]

It is awful as none of the Commissioner's have the background to support Financial Responsibilities, or Budget knowledge or the experience to support business planning. In addition a lot of them carry other responsibilities which restricts the time they have to carry Commissioner's requirements. To those who consider this an opportunity to make jokes or some form of sarcastic comment they may want to consider these are dollars being spent that take away from your families. These are public
employees who are enjoying your hard earned dollars. They are laughing at you. :ohdear:

[billethkid]

I continue to be amazed how many will run with nothing more than a notion/rumor/etc and treat it as though the sky was actually falling.
And on such unfounded untruths, The Villages is rated as not what it used to be?!?! Compared to what? How long ago?
There are some of us who have been here 15 years and more.
We would buy here again in a heart beat. For most of us TV has more to offer now than when we bought and built our homes.

As the saying goes everything is relative....except extrapolated rumors or untruths!!

[Altavia]

A 25% increase sounds like a lot but do I understand correctly the average tax increase would be $342?

If so, that's less than a dollar a day to improve major roads, add police/first responders and fire stations etc. in one of the fastest growing area's of the country.

[Bogie Shooter]

It is awful as none of the Commissioner's have the background to support Financial Responsibilities, or Budget knowledge or the experience to support business planning. In addition a lot of them carry other responsibilities which restricts the time they have to carry Commissioner's requirements. To those who consider this an opportunity to make jokes or some form of sarcastic comment they may want to consider these are dollars being spent that take away from your families. These are public
employees who are enjoying your hard earned dollars. They are laughing at you. :ohdear:

I really don't think they are laughing at us. That is a rather rash statement...…………...

[Bogie Shooter]

I continue to be amazed how many will run with nothing more than a notion/rumor/etc and treat it as though the sky was actually falling.
And on such unfounded untruths, The Villages is rated as not what it used to be?!?! Compared to what? How long ago?
There are some of us who have been here 15 years and more.
We would buy here again in a heart beat. For most of us TV has more to offer now than when we bought and built our homes.

As the saying goes everything is relative....except extrapolated rumors or untruths!!

Once again the voice of reason.
Those that are sharpening their pitch forks should just slow down...

[Villageswimmer]

I’m really behind the curve on this. Is the proposed 25% increase on the Sumter County tax AND the Sumter County school Board tax? The first two line items on the bill, right?

Is it on “market” value, “assessed” value, or “taxable” value?

Forgive me for being out of the loop.


Can anyone answer this?

[Bogie Shooter]

Can anyone answer this?

Maybe you can find your answer here.
Sumter County, FL - Official Website | Official Website (https://www.sumtercountyfl.gov/)

[skip0358]

Been here just shy of 10 years looked at a lot of places before deciding on TV. None of them compared to what we have here. Every Village it’s own pool, many Restaurants, plenty of golf courses, movies,stores,Churches, Doctors Rec Centers. Sure they’ve grown and are still growing BUT they’re also adding services, roads, Fire ,EMS etc. People say when are they going to stop easy when people stop buying. There is a lot of up keep here. We’ve seen decreases every year some years more then others. They’re keeping up with the demand. Yes they have to add Fire,EMS,Police etc but as far as I’m concerned this place is far superior to many other retirement areas. Even IF they raise them by 25% we’re still going to be cheaper then most other places you can live.Time will tell what the final number will be and to those they say they’ll leave make sure you check where you’ll leave to because the grass is always greener until you get there. My taxes here will still be cheaper after the increase then I was paying up North never mind electric, home heating oil, food etc. Just my opinion and I know I’ll catch some flack by a few but so be it I’m not leaving until the good lord calls me.

[Altavia]

:agree:

Especially when 25% increase translates to an average of $1/day for needed incremental services to support expansion.

[Velvet]

Who needs the expansion exactly, and who is asked to pay for it? See that is the rub....

[CWGUY]

Who needs the expansion exactly, and who is asked to pay for it? See that is the rub....

:icon_wink: Not me..... I wanted my house to be the last one built.

[Altavia]

:icon_wink: Not me..... I wanted my house to be the last one built.
:clap2:

Yeah, 10,000 65+ are retiring per day with a life expectancy of 20 yrs, who needs expansion :duck:

[Velvet]

The problem is... that we are supposed to subsidize them? If they can’t afford to pay their own way why come here in the first place?

I think that the 25% is probably a negotiation tool, you know, they want to raise taxes by 5%, maybe 10%. When it is announced that it is “only going to be...” everyone will clap and sigh with relief... what a game.

[mtdjed]

Expansion means more tax base. The Villages expansion normally includes development infrastructure (Roads, water, sewers, drainage, lighting, retention ponds, etc). The budget increase discussion is relative to the county and not to incorporated towns. We paid a bond and pay an amenity fee to cover certain expenses such as water, sewer and trash. If the yearly expansion were 3000 homes and some equivalent business development, that expansion would be taxed adding to the county income. For 12 years that I have been here, that expanded tax income has been able to keep up to the additional county budget needs. Incremental cost increases to county expenses such as fire, law enforcement, criminal, retention, road repair, and schools have previously been managed within the increased income from the expanded tax base.


A dramatic increase of 25% needs to be "simply" explained to taxpayers. Are we suddenly adding a new school, unplanned fire station and equipment, replacing aging sheriff vehicles? Perhaps that would normally mean borrowing and associated expenses. Stating that the expansion means more roads to repair and appropriate added Sheriffs, firefighters, and teachers does not explain the increase. Roads have been repaired since day one.


If the increase was inflated to simply later be dropped to 5 or 10 % to give us the feel that we are getting a bargain would mean that we have incompetent county watchdogs.

Yes The Villages are a bargain but 25% is not a $1 a day as someone suggested.

[Chellybean]

Been here just shy of 10 years looked at a lot of places before deciding on TV. None of them compared to what we have here. Every Village it’s own pool, many Restaurants, plenty of golf courses, movies,stores,Churches, Doctors Rec Centers. Sure they’ve grown and are still growing BUT they’re also adding services, roads, Fire ,EMS etc. People say when are they going to stop easy when people stop buying. There is a lot of up keep here. We’ve seen decreases every year some years more then others. They’re keeping up with the demand. Yes they have to add Fire,EMS,Police etc but as far as I’m concerned this place is far superior to many other retirement areas. Even IF they raise them by 25% we’re still going to be cheaper then most other places you can live.Time will tell what the final number will be and to those they say they’ll leave make sure you check where you’ll leave to because the grass is always greener until you get there. My taxes here will still be cheaper after the increase then I was paying up North never mind electric, home heating oil, food etc. Just my opinion and I know I’ll catch some flack by a few but so be it I’m not leaving until the good lord calls me.

UNDERSTOOD! However the bonds where hefty and that is to pay the infrastructure which is everything you stated. Where did that money go, Local Government is to fat at the top! JMHO

[Bogie Shooter]

UNDERSTOOD! However the bonds where hefty and that is to pay the infrastructure which is everything you stated. Where did that money go, Local Government is to fat at the top! JMHO

Money goes to pay off the bonds, right? And the sale of bonds money went to pay for the infrastructure, right?
Just what are you saying?

[Marathon Man]

UNDERSTOOD! However the bonds where hefty and that is to pay the infrastructure which is everything you stated. Where did that money go, Local Government is to fat at the top! JMHO

It went into building the infrastructure. Would like to have it maintained now?

[Velvet]

I think we are talking about annual maintenance, from the district site:
“Remember: Even if you pay off your bond assessment, there will continue to be an annual maintenance assessment that pays for the ongoing costs of maintaining the infrastructure.”

[Altavia]

The problem is... that we are supposed to subsidize them? If they can’t afford to pay their own way why come here in the first place?



I see your point. But it works both ways. Possibly the increased tax funding from the growth areas are the reason taxes have not been raised in years. So in a sense expansion has filled the gap as expenses has increased across all areas over time.

Expansion has also helped raised everyone's property values with newer homes paying more in taxes. Effectively subsidizing the older areas.

[Villageswimmer]

Maybe you can find your answer here.
Sumter County, FL - Official Website | Official Website (https://www.sumtercountyfl.gov/)


Thanks but I did search and found nothing.

I’d also like to know the source of the “$341 increase for the average homeowner.” I’d like to see the math.

Seems like all we have on this thread is speculation and knee jerk reactions.

No offense intended but if someone has substantiated facts, please post.

[pacjag]

Thanks but I did search and found nothing.

I’d also like to know the source of the “$341 increase for the average homeowner.” I’d like to see the math.

Seems like all we have on this thread is speculation and knee jerk reactions.

No offense intended but if someone has substantiated facts, please post.

See paragraph 5.

Capacity crowd rails against tax hike before Sumter Commission - **************: News, events, classifieds in The Villages, FL (http://tiny.cc/aumbaz)

[Altavia]

Unbridled growth of The Villages to blame for proposed 24-percent tax increase
By Villages News Editorial - July 24, 2019
...

Which brings us back to the 24-percent tax increase – about $341 per year for the average Villages homeowner in Sumter County. At Tuesday’s meeting, Arnold explained to the agitated crowd that while the county’s rapid growth provides more money in property taxes, revenue increases often lag behind infrastructure expenses


$341 does not make sense, need to see the math.

(Anyone know how to paste functional links to the Villages News?)

[pacjag]

(Anyone know know how to past functional links to the Villages Mews?)

Use the TinyURL web page.

[bagboy]

Unbridled growth of The Villages to blame for proposed 24-percent tax increase
By Villages News Editorial - July 24, 2019
...

Which brings us back to the 24-percent tax increase – about $341 per year for the average Villages homeowner in Sumter County. At Tuesday’s meeting, Arnold explained to the agitated crowd that while the county’s rapid growth provides more money in property taxes, revenue increases often lag behind infrastructure expenses


$341 does not make sense, need to see the math.

(Anyone know how to paste functional links to the Villages News?)


^^^

[pacjag]

$341 does not make sense, need to see the math.



From the link I posted above:

“That rate is $1.67 above the rolled back rate of $5.03, which is the rate needed to collect the same amount of revenue as the previous year. The owner of a $300,000 home with a $50,000 Florida homestead credit would pay $1,675 in county property taxes next year, an increase of $340.88”

[Altavia]

From the link I posted above:

“That rate is $1.67 above the rolled back rate of $5.03, which is the rate needed to collect the same amount of revenue as the previous year. The owner of a $300,000 home with a $50,000 Florida homestead credit would pay $1,675 in county property taxes next year, an increase of $340.88”

Thanks, I get it now...

Awful lot of drama over less than $1 per day.

[Altavia]

Use the TinyURL web page.

Thanks, very helpful!

[Velvet]

I see your point. But it works both ways. Possibly the increased tax funding from the growth areas are the reason taxes have not been raised in years. So in a sense expansion has filled the gap as expenses has increased across all areas over time.

Expansion has also helped raised everyone's property values with newer homes paying more in taxes. Effectively subsidizing the older areas.

Actually many of the resale houses are more expensive than the new. Mine would have been cheaper if I had bought it new or had it built. I chose it because of the location (close to Barnes and Noble).

[Fast Freddy]

I think that the 25% is probably a negotiation tool, you know, they want to raise taxes by 5%, maybe 10%. When it is announced that it is “only going to be...” everyone will clap and sigh with relief... what a game.
=====================

Exactly, everyone will jump up and down when the Commissioners decide on 7.5 % and all will agree with their salary increase because they now became 'the good guys!'