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Stu from NYC
08-25-2020, 10:35 AM
Received our first notice a few days ago called the Taxing Authority who was able to answer most questions but still have one.

We are being billed $ 474.82. Lady I spoke to said this was from Villages but had no idea what this is for.

Can someone please explain. Thanks.

Was considering paying off the bond that has 15 years to go but thinking we should spend another year or two here to make sure this is our permanent home in the Villages before doing so.

Mrprez
08-25-2020, 10:48 AM
Can you post a picture of your bill? Might help an “expert” determine the purpose of the charge.

JSR22
08-25-2020, 10:50 AM
Received our first notice a few days ago called the Taxing Authority who was able to answer most questions but still have one.

We are being billed $ 474.82. Lady I spoke to said this was from Villages but had no idea what this is for.

Can someone please explain. Thanks.

Was considering paying off the bond that has 15 years to go but thinking we should spend another year or two here to make sure this is our permanent home in the Villages before doing so.


Yearly maintenance.

Stu from NYC
08-25-2020, 10:51 AM
Yearly maintenance.

Of what?

retiredguy123
08-25-2020, 11:02 AM
Received our first notice a few days ago called the Taxing Authority who was able to answer most questions but still have one.

We are being billed $ 474.82. Lady I spoke to said this was from Villages but had no idea what this is for.

Can someone please explain. Thanks.

Was considering paying off the bond that has 15 years to go but thinking we should spend another year or two here to make sure this is our permanent home in the Villages before doing so.
It sounds like the annual maintenance fee, and should be in the non-ad-valorem section of the bill. The bond paid to build the roads, utilities, and other infrastructure. But, those items need to be maintained. So, basically, the annual maintenance fee is the cost to maintain the infrastructure. Not to be confused with amenities.

Stu from NYC
08-25-2020, 12:31 PM
It sounds like the annual maintenance fee, and should be in the non-ad-valorem section of the bill. The bond paid to build the roads, utilities, and other infrastructure. But, those items need to be maintained. So, basically, the annual maintenance fee is the cost to maintain the infrastructure. Not to be confused with amenities.

Yes it is in the ad-valorem section of the bill. So this is the cost of paying for say the resurfacing of Morse Blvd.

thanks for your help. so much to learn.

smurphy
08-25-2020, 01:02 PM
More likely the interior roads, Morse Blvd is a county road.

rhood
08-25-2020, 01:29 PM
More likely the interior roads, Morse Blvd is a county road.

I think all roads except villa roads are county roads? Villa streets are private, i think.

champion6
08-25-2020, 02:56 PM
Received our first notice a few days ago called the Taxing Authority who was able to answer most questions but still have one.

We are being billed $ 474.82. Lady I spoke to said this was from Villages but had no idea what this is for.

Can someone please explain. Thanks.

Was considering paying off the bond that has 15 years to go but thinking we should spend another year or two here to make sure this is our permanent home in the Villages before doing so.Well, for the line that shows the $474.82, tell us what is says in the column labeled Taxing Authority (on front) or Levying Authority (on back). With this info, we can help.

Stu from NYC
08-25-2020, 03:25 PM
Well, for the line that shows the $474.82, tell us what is says in the column labeled Taxing Authority (on front) or Levying Authority (on back). With this info, we can help.

For levying authority just says "maintenance"

For top line says Villages Fire MSBU, second line District 7 and under it bond and maintenance

biker1
08-25-2020, 03:37 PM
As mentioned in one of the replies, it is the CDD maintenance fee. It is for the maintenance of the common areas, etc. I usually just call it the "flower bill". It pays for the new flowers in the roundabouts (along with lots of other things). Goldwingnut has a excellent video where he discusses this as well as other topics. There is a one day Villages class where many of these issues are discussed. It is worth attending.

For levying authority just says "maintenance"

For top line says Villages Fire MSBU, second line District 7 and under it bond and maintenance

champion6
08-25-2020, 03:51 PM
For levying authority, just says "maintenance"Goldwingnut does an excellent job of explaining maintenance in this video: Maintenance Assessment and The Villages 6-19-19 Construction Update - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ufm_ycOnbto)
From my own experience, I can assure you that watching it only once is not enough. You will need to watch it more than once to fully understand.

Stu from NYC
08-25-2020, 04:18 PM
Goldwingnut does an excellent job of explaining maintenance in this video: Maintenance Assessment and The Villages 6-19-19 Construction Update - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ufm_ycOnbto)
From my own experience, I can assure you that watching it only once is not enough. You will need to watch it more than once to fully understand.

Thank you so much, Goldwingnut is an outstanding source of info.

Stu from NYC
08-25-2020, 04:19 PM
As mentioned in one of the replies, it is the CDD maintenance fee. It is for the maintenance of the common areas, etc. I usually just call it the "flower bill". It pays for the new flowers in the roundabouts (along with lots of other things). Goldwingnut has a excellent video where he discusses this as well as other topics. There is a one day Villages class where many of these issues are discussed. It is worth attending.

After the virus decides to go away plan to go to these classes on how the villages function. Thanks so much for the info

davem4616
08-25-2020, 04:38 PM
I think that we all find out that there are a few additional costs that we didn't know to ask about when we were still looking at TV

The place is beautiful...well maintained...yeah it's not cheap living here, but you get what you pay for

EdFNJ
08-25-2020, 06:07 PM
I think that we all find out that there are a few additional costs that we didn't know to ask about when we were still looking at TV

The place is beautiful...well maintained...yeah it's not cheap living here, but you get what you pay for
My deceased father lived in a small 1 B/R 1 DEN 1 bath 900 sq ft condo in south FL in Pembroke Pines and his "amenity fee" (condo assoc fee) was $600 a MONTH. Yea, it covered mowing his 20 (twenty) sq ft grass area & garbage dumpster which was about 100 yards from his front door so I think our "fees" are pretty competitive. PLUS just about every other years there was some sort of $500 assessment for their 1 prof golf course and 1 9 hole course and 2 pools. They also had a $18,000 bond which they called a recreation fee (he was lucky, it was paid when he bought it 35 or so years ago). BASIC fees here are pretty low when you compare to a great many properties.

Rwirish
08-26-2020, 05:22 AM
Maintenance of the infrastructure.

Mohawksin
08-26-2020, 05:57 AM
It is the maintenance fee which goes to supporting the infrastructure. It does include a portion of the costs of resurfacing roads, except for the roads in the villas. A portion of cost for maintaining the public roads comes from the Fed and state gas tax which we all pay. Since we do not live in a gated community (we live in a community with gates) one of the benefits is access to our tax money previously paid at the pump to help maintain our roads.

BaylorBear
08-26-2020, 06:08 AM
STU FROM NY - We live in Lake County and have no such charges on our property tax projected for 2020. Aren't we lucky??!!!

Keninches
08-26-2020, 06:39 AM
As mentioned in one of the replies, it is the CDD maintenance fee. It is for the maintenance of the common areas, etc. I usually just call it the "flower bill". It pays for the new flowers in the roundabouts (along with lots of other things). Goldwingnut has a excellent video where he discusses this as well as other topics. There is a one day Villages class where many of these issues are discussed. It is worth attending.
The general upkeep of the common areas. Each area is charged a different fee. Ridiculous.

Keninches
08-26-2020, 06:40 AM
Correct. Ridiculous. B

retiredguy123
08-26-2020, 07:17 AM
STU FROM NY - We live in Lake County and have no such charges on our property tax projected for 2020. Aren't we lucky??!!!
Huh? I live in Lake County, and my projected maintenance fee is $411.

Stu from NYC
08-26-2020, 07:35 AM
The general upkeep of the common areas. Each area is charged a different fee. Ridiculous.

As I learn how this place works understand why it can be different.

Thanks to all the people who have helped us learn about this place since moving here.

Cheese
08-26-2020, 07:38 AM
Since the average Villager moves several times within the Villages, in my opinion it makes no sense to
pay off the bond since you get no credit for it when you purchase another home.

Johnc
08-26-2020, 07:53 AM
For levying authority just says "maintenance"

For top line says Villages Fire MSBU, second line District 7 and under it bond and maintenance

The maintenance item is for the landscaping of the common areas. Its for the flowers that adorn our neighborhood entries and rotary centers. Those flowers are refreshed four times a year keeping The Villages beautiful year round.

Doug_from_Hershey
08-26-2020, 08:15 AM
The Trim Bill clearly states it's from Sumter County Taxing Authority. It appears to be a looking forward document to show you what your bill will be for 2020 based on each column pending the current budget or a proposed budget. It shows' what your November Tax Notice will be. Looks like the same Document we received last year.

Stu from NYC
08-26-2020, 08:26 AM
Since the average Villager moves several times within the Villages, in my opinion it makes no sense to
pay off the bond since you get no credit for it when you purchase another home.

Agreed.

When real estate professionals question whether your house is worth more with a paid bond no question to pay it yearly.

champion6
08-26-2020, 09:31 AM
STU FROM NY - We live in Lake County and have no such charges on our property tax projected for 2020. Aren't we lucky??!!!
Huh? I live in Lake County, and my projected maintenance fee is $411.I am assuming that BaylorBear lives in Lady Lake/Lake County where there is no maintenance fee and no bond.

I'm also assuming that retiredguy123 lives in Fruitland Park/Lake County where there is a maintenance fee and a bond.

Regarding your luck, BaylorBear -- in 2019 your millage rate was 17.4726. In unincorporated Sumter County, our 2019 millage rate was 12.4001. That's $5 less per $1,000 taxable value. On a house with a $200,000 taxable value, our ad velorum taxes were $1,000 less.

charlieo1126@gmail.com
08-26-2020, 09:39 AM
Received our first notice a few days ago called the Taxing Authority who was able to answer most questions but still have one.

We are being billed $ 474.82. Lady I spoke to said this was from Villages but had no idea what this is for.

Can someone please explain. Thanks.

Was considering paying off the bond that has 15 years to go but thinking we should spend another year or two here to make sure this is our permanent home in the Villages before doing so. I’m on my 5th new home here when you sell some people will try to deduct the bond price of n bid , just say no , most people don’t care if they want the house,the reverse of this is people who paid bond of adding it in to value , that doesn’t work much either the home will go for what it’s worth never took mor then 30 days to sell always with the bond, I have better places to put the low interest bond money

nn0wheremann
08-26-2020, 10:13 AM
For levying authority just says "maintenance"

For top line says Villages Fire MSBU, second line District 7 and under it bond and maintenance
MBSU municipal services benefit unit. This is your CDD, in your case number 7. I think they maintain water and sewer lines etc.

KRM0614
08-26-2020, 11:17 AM
Received our first notice a few days ago called the Taxing Authority who was able to answer most questions but still have one.

We are being billed $ 474.82. Lady I spoke to said this was from Villages but had no idea what this is for.

Can someone please explain. Thanks.

Was considering paying off the bond that has 15 years to go but thinking we should spend another year or two here to make sure this is our permanent home in the Villages before doing so.
Yes be careful and make your choice slowly! Looks like the interest rate is 8% that’s why the sales staff is coached to tell you not to pay off the bond it’s another revenue stream. But please realize after you pay it off they still bill you a line item called HOA ! You can never get rid of it and I think you really never own your home outright it’s SS if there’s a stranglehold on you. Good luck !

Stu from NYC
08-26-2020, 12:10 PM
Yes be careful and make your choice slowly! Looks like the interest rate is 8% that’s why the sales staff is coached to tell you not to pay off the bond it’s another revenue stream. But please realize after you pay it off they still bill you a line item called HOA ! You can never get rid of it and I think you really never own your home outright it’s SS if there’s a stranglehold on you. Good luck !

Interest rate on our bond is 4.25%. The lady I spoke gave me info and did not attempt to sway me on way or the other.

No idea what HOA is.

dewilson58
08-26-2020, 02:10 PM
Interest rate on our bond is 4.25%. The lady I spoke gave me info and did not attempt to sway me on way or the other.

No idea what HOA is.


Plus the monthly admin fee..............it pushes the effective rate up.

bowlingal
08-26-2020, 02:33 PM
of all the common areas, flowers especially, mowing

rogerk
08-26-2020, 02:55 PM
Received our first notice a few days ago called the Taxing Authority who was able to answer most questions but still have one.

We are being billed $ 474.82. Lady I spoke to said this was from Villages but had no idea what this is for.

Can someone please explain. Thanks.

Was considering paying off the bond that has 15 years to go but thinking we should spend another year or two here to make sure this is our permanent home in the Villages before doing so.

Why not talk to the District Office 352-753-4508 and ask them What the charge is and at the same time ask them the pros and cons of paying off your bond.