Breakdown of Amenities Budget

[Laker14]

A recent discussion on pickleballs got me to wondering just how big the total amenities budget is, and where the money all goes.

I scoured the districtgof.org site and could not find a comprehensive budget for amenities for any year.

Any suggestions on how I might get a look at such a document?

[tophcfa]

Don’t know for certain, but my guess would be that north of 466 it would be the Amenity Authority Committee and south of 466 it would be the Project Wide Advisory Committee that would oversee the budgets and be the ones to contact for that information. I would also be curious to see how the two committees budget allocations to the various amenities differ, assuming they do based on the mix of amenities in the different areas.

[go4fpsb]

Go to Village Community Development Districts (https://www.districtgov.org)
Click the the “Your district “
Select the district you reside
Hit Budget

[Bill14564]

For amenities, go to districtgov.org -> Departments -> Budget -> Sumter Landing CDD

Right at the top of the SLCDD budget is the SLAD (Sumter Landing Amenities Division) section. This is where amenity fees go for most of us.

The VCCDD budget has a section for the VCRAD which handles amenity fees for the norther area.

I'm not sure about the areas south of 44. Their fees *might* go to SLCDD/SLAD but if the amenities are not yet turned over then the fees and the responsibility might still be with the developer.

Your numbered CDD (CDD10 in my case) and the PWAC do not receive any of the amenity fees. They are funded primarily from maintenance assessments.

[Laker14]

Go to Village Community Development Districts (https://www.districtgov.org)
Click the the “Your district “
Select the district you reside
Hit Budget


That's exactly where I was looking, and just searched again. The budget I find seems to deal entirely with the "Maintenance Assessment" money. I see no line item for "amenity fees" collected, and I see no line items that would pertain to what I understand to be the expenses associated with the amenities, i.e. executive golf maintenance , rec center maintenance, pools, pickleball, tennis etc etc

[RICH1]

I believe our fees are appropriate for what we receive in return…

[Laker14]

For amenities, go to districtgov.org -> Departments -> Budget -> Sumter Landing CDD

Right at the top of the SLCDD budget is the SLAD (Sumter Landing Amenities Division) section. This is where amenity fees go for most of us.

The VCCDD budget has a section for the VCRAD which handles amenity fees for the norther area.

I'm not sure about the areas south of 44. Their fees *might* go to SLCDD/SLAD but if the amenities are not yet turned over then the fees and the responsibility might still be with the developer.

Your numbered CDD (CDD10 in my case) and the PWAC do not receive any of the amenity fees. They are funded primarily from maintenance assessments.

Got it! thanks!

Here's the link for anyone else interested in this: https://www.districtgov.org/PDFView/PDFMeeting.aspx?id=20220624sl0101

you have to scroll down a page or two.

[UsuallyLurking]

Don’t know for certain, but my guess would be that north of 466 it would be the Amenity Authority Committee and south of 466 it would be the Project Wide Advisory Committee that would oversee the budgets and be the ones to contact for that information. I would also be curious to see how the two committees budget allocations to the various amenities differ, assuming they do based on the mix of amenities in the different areas.

This answer is almost correct. Amenity fees for residents north of 466 are administered by the Amenity Authority Committee (AAC). For residents between 466 and 44, they are administered by the Project Wide Advisory Committee (PWAC). For residents south of 44, the amenity fees go to the developer, who is responsible for the maintenance of the facilities south of 44. Budget information for the AAC and PWAC are on the district web site (AAC's easier to look at because PWAC does amenities plus other things).

[njbchbum]

Also found this to be informational - https://www.districtgov.org/departments/budget/images/Where%20Does%20Your%20Money%20Go%202022.pdf

[Vikingjunior]

Amenity fees should be per person not per household. I can move 10 people into my house and all 10 would get use of amenities. Meanwhile someone living alone has to pay the same amenities fee.
It doesn't take much to prove you're a resident in TV. Just need to change some documents and then change them back after they hand you a resident card which is good for 3 years. If we were paying per person instead of per household there wouldn't be so many fraudulent resident cards floating around.

[La lamy]

A little off topic, but one of my pet peeves is that we don't all pay the same for amenities fees. It doesn't matter when you started paying into it, there should be a set yearly fee for everyone that gets the same privileges. Makes no sense that I pay more because I'm newer than my neighbour.

[Speedie]

Too bad we do not limit amenity use to TV residents that are paying the fee

[Laker14]

Too bad we do not limit amenity use to TV residents that are paying the fee

I think the effort is made to do that, but realistically, how much money do you want to spend to have people checking everyone, everywhere, (raising our amenities costs), and how often do you want to be stopped from doing what you're doing so you can fish out your ID card and prove you belong?
At some point the effort to keep out the outsiders is more hassle and expense than having a few cheaters get away with cheating.
That's only my opinion, of course.

[jarodrig]

Too bad we do not limit amenity use to TV residents that are paying the fee

You may be confused or don’t understand what our “amenities” are .

The Villages amenities are for Villages residents only .

One common misconception is that the town squares, music, entertainment, etc., is an amenity. It is NOT and that’s why it’s open to the public.

Another example are the movie theaters. They are not an amenity. They are a business like any other business in the area. And no, we were not “promised” there would be 3 theaters, or ANY for that matter.

Please state what Villages amenities are being “violated” because they are <legitimately> open to the public ?

[jarodrig]

A recent discussion on pickleballs got me to wondering just how big the total amenities budget is, and where the money all goes.

I scoured the districtgof.org site and could not find a comprehensive budget for amenities for any year.

Any suggestions on how I might get a look at such a document?

GoldWingNut did a nice video regarding the topic….

[Mrs.Guy]

GoldWingNut did a nice video regarding the topic….

:agree:

[Laker14]

GoldWingNut did a nice video regarding the topic….

Yes he has...here's the link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDjafwcRtQg

the discussion on the amenity fees starts around the 5:50 mark.

[dyendell]

I agree especially since the older areas require way more maintenance and upkeep and repairs than new areas. Shrubs , hedges and trees require trimming; rec centers, pools etc need repair; infrastructure needs upkeep/repair; roads and golf courses need redone etc. way more maintenance than new areas so when old time residents complain about the new areas they need to take a step back and rethink old vs new expense costs.

[Maybelle]

I believe our fees are appropriate for what we receive in return…

What facts are you basing this on?

[JMintzer]

What facts are you basing this on?

One would guess they know what they pay each month and they "believe" it is worth that amount...

What "facts" would change that "belief"?

[Laker14]

What facts are you basing this on?

I can't speak for RICH1, but speaking for myself, I feel the amount I pay each month in amenity fee is a bargain given the amenities I get to enjoy.

Among the amenities I enjoy are multiple swimming pools, executive golf courses, pickleball courts, rec centers, and nicely landscaped common areas.

[golfing eagles]

I agree especially since the older areas require way more maintenance and upkeep and repairs than new areas. Shrubs , hedges and trees require trimming; rec centers, pools etc need repair; infrastructure needs upkeep/repair; roads and golf courses need redone etc. way more maintenance than new areas so when old time residents complain about the new areas they need to take a step back and rethink old vs new expense costs.

Newer areas probably cost more to build initially.

[OhioBuckeye]

Well I would guess at least 80 to 90% goes to golf & all the seasonal plants.

[MandoMan]

Also found this to be informational - https://www.districtgov.org/departments/budget/images/Where%20Does%20Your%20Money%20Go%202022.pdf

Thank you for posting that!

AMENITY FEES
PAID MONTHLY ON BILL WITH SANITATION AND UTILITIES
Landscaping (Recreation and some Common Areas)
Stormwater System and Retention Basins
Community Watch
Recreation Centers and District Sponsored Activities
Gates and Postal Facilities
Executive Golf Courses
Villages Public Safety

As I’ve driven around The Villages following our recent rains, I’ve been grateful for our beautifully designed and maintained storm water system and retention basins. They work so well and look nice! When I go to activities in various recreation centers, I often notice and appreciate the neatness and cleanliness of these places. They are also attractive and in excellent repair. As I drive on the larger roads, I appreciate the lovely landscaping and the rarity of trash on the roads. I’m just continually delighted with what I am getting for my amenity dollars (and at such a low price!), even though I don’t use the swimming pools or golf courses. Thank you to all the people who make this possible!

[golfing eagles]

Well I would guess at least 80 to 90% goes to golf & all the seasonal plants.

Based on???????

Pools are very expensive to maintain and we have over 100 of them, all heated
Rec centers are cooled (and heated) and need cleaning and repairs
Common area lawns are mowed, bushes trimmed weekly. Flowers are only changed 4x/year.
Parking lots and MMPs need maintenance and repair
Community watch
Manned gates
And of course 43 exec golf courses need water, fertilizer and mowing. But 80-90%??? I'm not so sure.

[Luggage]

Use the phone ....

that's exactly where i was looking, and just searched again. The budget i find seems to deal entirely with the "maintenance assessment" money. I see no line item for "amenity fees" collected, and i see no line items that would pertain to what i understand to be the expenses associated with the amenities, i.e. Executive golf maintenance , rec center maintenance, pools, pickleball, tennis etc etc

[Bill14564]

Well I would guess at least 80 to 90% goes to golf & all the seasonal plants.

Based on???????

Pools are very expensive to maintain and we have over 100 of them, all heated
Rec centers are cooled (and heated) and need cleaning and repairs
Common area lawns are mowed, bushes trimmed weekly. Flowers are only changed 4x/year.
Parking lots and MMPs need maintenance and repair
Community watch
Manned gates
And of course 43 exec golf courses need water, fertilizer and mowing. But 80-90%??? I'm not so sure.

Guessing is unnecessary, the budget is available online.

The SLCDD/SLAD budget shows $77M revenue. A few of the expenses are:
$2.2M Landscaping
$2.8M Golf mgmt svcs
$1.8M Pool maintenance
$3.0M Buildings
$7.8M Principal
$15.5M Interest

Principal and Interest alone make up 30% of the budget leaving less than 70% for everything else

While there are expenses for golf other than just the management services, it is a long way from $5M (landscaping included) to $60M (80% of the amenity budget)

[Laker14]

Well I would guess at least 80 to 90% goes to golf & all the seasonal plants.

Based on???????

Pools are very expensive to maintain and we have over 100 of them, all heated
Rec centers are cooled (and heated) and need cleaning and repairs
Common area lawns are mowed, bushes trimmed weekly. Flowers are only changed 4x/year.
Parking lots and MMPs need maintenance and repair
Community watch
Manned gates
And of course 43 exec golf courses need water, fertilizer and mowing. But 80-90%??? I'm not so sure.

No need to guess wildly. From the link I posted in post 17, and repost here https://www.districtgov.org/PDFView/PDFMeeting.aspx?id=20220624sl0101

FY '21-'22
Amenity Fees Collected: 72M
Pool Maintenance : 1.8M
Golf Management Srvc: 2.9M
Recreation Services 6.9M
Landscaping Recurring 1.7M
Landscaping non-recurring .5M


I won't pretend to know what all of these items break down into, I assume those pickleballs are somewhere in that 6.9M.
Don Wiley graciously PM'd me and offered to explain the budget to me in as much detail as I desire, but as busy as he undoubtedly is, I don't want to drain any more of his time. It is interesting to read the whole table of expenses. There are a lot of items I'd have never thought of, and they do add up to big bucks.

[quietpine]

It’s not a fair system. Why not have amenities subscriptions? You choose which amenities you want to use and pay for them only. I don’t play golf or pickle ball, why should I pay for those amenities. I know the answer, the exec golf courses would become so expensive that few would pay to use them and they would be ripe for Apartments, Villas and commercial development.

[OhioBuckeye]

Yea, your guess is as good as mine!

[Laker14]

It’s not a fair system. Why not have amenities subscriptions? You choose which amenities you want to use and pay for them only. I don’t play golf or pickle ball, why should I pay for those amenities. I know the answer, the exec golf courses would become so expensive that few would pay to use them and they would be ripe for Apartments, Villas and commercial development.

then why did you move here?
the problem with picking and choosing is nobody wants to pay for everything. What makes TV the place that it is is the availability of so much, which is affordable because the expense is spread out among so many.

[fcgiii]

It’s not a fair system. Why not have amenities subscriptions? You choose which amenities you want to use and pay for them only. I don’t play golf or pickle ball, why should I pay for those amenities. I know the answer, the exec golf courses would become so expensive that few would pay to use them and they would be ripe for Apartments, Villas and commercial development.

Hmm OK. let's see how to administer and enforce this. Set up a master database keyed to your card that validates each thing you elect you subscribe to. then employ people at each outdoor court to check people in. they would have to stay there to catch people sneaking in to play pickleball without paying the pickleball fee. For softball you'd need to differentiate between players and watchers. Pools have multiple uses. different costs for lap swimming (single swimmer taking up 1/6 of the pool) water volleyball (up to 84 people). i have an idea: tattoo a bar code one every Villagers forehead and use drones to monitor every sport. Oh, wait. what if I sign in to play pool but really go to play bridge? I think i need an aspirin.

[Bogie Shooter]

It’s not a fair system. Why not have amenities subscriptions? You choose which amenities you want to use and pay for them only. I don’t play golf or pickle ball, why should I pay for those amenities. I know the answer, the exec golf courses would become so expensive that few would pay to use them and they would be ripe for Apartments, Villas and commercial development.

Hmm OK. let's see how to administer and enforce this. Set up a master database keyed to your card that validates each thing you elect you subscribe to. then employ people at each outdoor court to check people in. they would have to stay there to catch people sneaking in to play pickleball without paying the pickleball fee. For softball you'd need to differentiate between players and watchers. Pools have multiple uses. different costs for lap swimming (single swimmer taking up 1/6 of the pool) water volleyball (up to 84 people). i have an idea: tattoo a bar code one every Villagers forehead and use drones to monitor every sport. Oh, wait. what if I sign in to play pool but really go to play bridge? I think i need an aspirin.

Quietpine, any further thoughts?

[Mrs.Guy]

Well I would guess at least 80 to 90% goes to golf & all the seasonal plants.

:rolleyes: Wrong! Guess again.

[Laker14]

Hmm OK. let's see how to administer and enforce this. Set up a master database keyed to your card that validates each thing you elect you subscribe to. then employ people at each outdoor court to check people in. they would have to stay there to catch people sneaking in to play pickleball without paying the pickleball fee. For softball you'd need to differentiate between players and watchers. Pools have multiple uses. different costs for lap swimming (single swimmer taking up 1/6 of the pool) water volleyball (up to 84 people). i have an idea: tattoo a bar code one every Villagers forehead and use drones to monitor every sport. Oh, wait. what if I sign in to play pool but really go to play bridge? I think i need an aspirin.

One of the beauties of the system as it is is that I don't have to make a commitment to try a sport or activity. I wasn't sure I wanted to use the lap pool. I probably would have never tried it if I'd had to make a separate monetary commitment for it, but since it was already included in my amenity package I tried it a few times and found I liked it.
Likewise, pickleball.

[JMintzer]

It’s not a fair system. Why not have amenities subscriptions? You choose which amenities you want to use and pay for them only. I don’t play golf or pickle ball, why should I pay for those amenities. I know the answer, the exec golf courses would become so expensive that few would pay to use them and they would be ripe for Apartments, Villas and commercial development.

So, you you moved into an advertised "Golf Course Community" and you complain that the amenity fees go to help pay for golf?

[JSR22]

So, you you moved into an advertised "Golf Course Community" and you complain that the amenity fees go to help pay for golf?

Amazing!!!

[Marathon Man]

It’s not a fair system. Why not have amenities subscriptions? You choose which amenities you want to use and pay for them only. I don’t play golf or pickle ball, why should I pay for those amenities. I know the answer, the exec golf courses would become so expensive that few would pay to use them and they would be ripe for Apartments, Villas and commercial development.

Actually, you don't know the answer. It's called being a part of a community. We all share in the costs of everything, and everything is available to all of us. I really don't understand the thinking of some people.