Property Tax Question

[Hifred]

My friend who lives in Marsh Bend and I (Village of Charlotte) were looking at our tax bills. We did a comparison of our Ad Valorem Taxes. Our first line was Sumter County, our next line was Sumter Co School Board, then hers had City of Wildwood (mine did not) and the next was SWFWMD. Our mileage and exemption is the same. However, she has $914.00 going to the City of Wildwood and I don't. So the Ad Valorem part of her tax bill is much higher despite our home values being similar. Do all of the homes south of 44 pay taxes to the City of Wildwood? Between 466A and 44 from Powell on the West to Morris on the East do all homes not have to pay tax to the City of Wildwood? What services do the homes that pay taxes to the City of Wildwood get that others in my section (466A - 44 and Powell Rd to Morris) not receive? I always thought that we were in Wildwood but on letters I give my address as The Villages but The Villages is not a city is it? Fruitland Park is in Lake County. So is the Village of Charlotte in a city other than being called The Villages?

[retiredguy123]

It's pretty simple. If your house is located within the city limits of either Wildwood or Fruitland Park, you pay a property tax to those cities. There is no separate ad valorem property tax owed to The Villages. Apparently, both you and your friend live in The Villages, but your friend's house is located in Wildwood and your house is not. Your friend could call the City of Wildwood and ask them if they provide any additional services for living in their city.

[Rainger99]

This is a map of Wildwood. I would love to know how the boundaries were drawn. It looks like a badly gerrymandered congressional district.


Wildwood, FL Profile: Map (https://florida.hometownlocator.com/cities/map,n,wildwood-fl,fid,293301.cfm)

[Laker14]

This is a map of Wildwood. I would love to know how the boundaries were drawn. It looks like a badly gerrymandered congressional district.


Wildwood, FL Profile: Map (https://florida.hometownlocator.com/cities/map,n,wildwood-fl,fid,293301.cfm)

Wow. How in the world?

[Bay Kid]

Double tax.

[Bilyclub]

It appears that Wildwood went on an annexation binge and that certain properties like Continental refused to be annexed. The properties South of 44 were probably not owned by TV when Wildwood annexed them.

[Rainger99]

It appears that Wildwood went on an annexation binge and that certain properties like Continental refused to be annexed. The properties South of 44 were probably not owned by TV when Wildwood annexed them.

That is correct.

The Villages - Florida's Friendliest Active Adult 55+ Retirement Community (https://www.thevillages.com/life/the-villages-acquires-5600-acres-that-wildwood-annexed-13-years-ago)

[dewilson58]

It's pretty simple. If your house is located within the city limits of either Wildwood or Fruitland Park, you pay a property tax to those cities. There is no separate ad valorem property tax owed to The Villages. Apparently, both you and your friend live in The Villages, but your friend's house is located in Wildwood and your house is not. Your friend could call the City of Wildwood and ask them if they provide any additional services for living in their city.

:eclipsee_gold_cup:

[LuvtheVillages]

? I always thought that we were in Wildwood but on letters I give my address as The Villages but The Villages is not a city is it? Fruitland Park is in Lake County. So is the Village of Charlotte in a city other than being called The Villages?

So the Village of Charlotte, and a number of other nearby Villages, are NOT in a city.

We are in unincorporated Sumter County.

Our police protection is provided by the Sheriff, not the Wildwood Police. I can’t think of any other differences.

[Mrs.Guy]

This is a map of Wildwood. I would love to know how the boundaries were drawn. It looks like a badly gerrymandered congressional district.


Wildwood, FL Profile: Map (https://florida.hometownlocator.com/cities/map,n,wildwood-fl,fid,293301.cfm)

:laugh:Here's the map of Leesburg..... what conspiracy do you see with this one? :shrug:
Leesburg, FL Profile: Map (https://florida.hometownlocator.com/cities/map,n,leesburg-fl,fid,285440.cfm)

[dewilson58]

:laugh:Here's the map of Leesburg..... what conspiracy do you see with this one? :shrug:
Leesburg, FL Profile: Map (https://florida.hometownlocator.com/cities/map,n,leesburg-fl,fid,285440.cfm)

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[Garywt]

Definitely interesting boundaries especially where some parts are not even touching. I myself really don’t even look at my bill. My bank pays it and I see the total of it.

[Rainger99]

Our police protection is provided by the Sheriff, not the Wildwood Police. I can’t think of any other differences.

Other than police protection, does anyone know what else Wildwood residents get for the extra $914 a year they pay that people living outside of Wildwood don’t pay?

[msilagy]

Yes The Villages is a city! On the weather map everyday.

[hillncea]

The Villages is the 38th largest city in Florida according to this website: Florida Cities by Population (https://www.florida-demographics.com/cities_by_population)

[VillagerNut]

Your home in the Village of Charlotte is strictly in Sumter County. All homes south the 44 are in the city of Wildwood. But they use The Villages as their city. Unfortunately most people don’t know they pay additional city tax until they receive their tax bill. No additional services compared to what you receive. The Villages is not a city that is incorporated in the United States. Technically the United States post office just recognizes The Villages as a city.

[sdeikenberry]

About 5 years ago Wildwood was a very small and poor town. Then TV decided to expand south of 44 and Wildwood saw the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. They started annexing farmland that would become part of TV, and their coffers grew so now they are a town with considerable tax revenue. Folks in TV who live north of 44 do not have this issue, and do not pay nearly $1,000 extra each year to a town, nor do almost all homes north of 466 have any bond to pay. it does matter where you live in TV.

[HoosierPa]

Wildwood never made an effort to annex Continental

[Debfrommaine]

Prior to buying in Marsh Bend, we researched and knew there would be the additional "city" tax, no surprise for us and worth the move.

[mrf0151]

So, all the homes in the very southern part of TV will be getting tax bills from the city of Leesburg too? OUCH!! Not to mention getting killed by a high bond. Why do it???

[bakon]

Why- only new houses available. Didn’t want a used one, wanted neighbors close to our age at retirement and the freshness of new pools, walls, ect….

[retiredguy123]

So, all the homes in the very southern part of TV will be getting tax bills from the city of Leesburg too? OUCH!! Not to mention getting killed by a high bond. Why do it???
Living in Leesburg would be less expensive than Wildwood.

Leesburg tax rate: $1.774 per $1,000 of assessment
Wildwood tax rate: $3.25 per $1,000 of assessment

[SusanStCatherine]

Compare the water rates. Wildwood city pays up to four times more than northern villages.

[GoneFishing]

About 5 years ago Wildwood was a very small and poor town. Then TV decided to expand south of 44 and Wildwood saw the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. They started annexing farmland that would become part of TV, and their coffers grew so now they are a town with considerable tax revenue. Folks in TV who live north of 44 do not have this issue, and do not pay nearly $1,000 extra each year to a town, nor do almost all homes north of 466 have any bond to pay. it does matter where you live in TV.
Interesting that almost all homes North of 466 don’t have a bond. I’ll have to make sure my brother knows that since he’s paying for one where he lives north of 466.

[SusanStCatherine]

Not all new Villages south of 44 are in Sumter. Newell is in Lake County where the taxes are even higher. Heard from a salesperson that they may be charging less for houses there so they can sell them.

[Dgodin]

It's pretty simple. If your house is located within the city limits of either Wildwood or Fruitland Park, you pay a property tax to those cities. There is no separate ad valorem property tax owed to The Villages. Apparently, both you and your friend live in The Villages, but your friend's house is located in Wildwood and your house is not. Your friend could call the City of Wildwood and ask them if they provide any additional services for living in their city.

The same is true for resdents of the "historic" area. Some part of it has been annexed to the town of Lady Lake. The only difference I've seen so far is in who picks up the garbage. The annexed area is still part of the villages.

[John Mayes]

Living in Leesburg would be less expensive than Wildwood.

Leesburg tax rate: $1.774 per $1,000 of assessment
Wildwood tax rate: $3.25 per $1,000 of assessment

Lee County millage rate is 13.645

Sumter County in Wilwood city limits is 13.40

[John Mayes]

So, all the homes in the very southern part of TV will be getting tax bills from the city of Leesburg too? OUCH!! Not to mention getting killed by a high bond. Why do it???

Not Leesburg. Lee County.

[Finchs]

This is a map of Wildwood. I would love to know how the boundaries were drawn. It looks like a badly gerrymandered congressional district.


Wildwood, FL Profile: Map (https://florida.hometownlocator.com/cities/map,n,wildwood-fl,fid,293301.cfm)

We can only speculate as to how this happened. It looks like someone-- or something --crooked either has been, or still is, in charge in Wildwood!

[TC_Arch]

How on earth can you buy a house and not know what city or county it is located in?

[John Mayes]

Compare the water rates. Wildwood city pays up to four times more than northern villages.

Not sure where you got that info from.

Utilities - Rate Information (https://www.districtgov.org/departments/utilities/rate_information.aspx)

[retiredguy123]

Not Leesburg. Lee County.
Are you sure you don't mean Lake County? It looks like Leesburg, Fruitland Park, and Lady Lake are all in Lake County.

I was just comparing the city tax rates for Leesburg and Wildwood, not county rates.

[pauld315]

About 5 years ago Wildwood was a very small and poor town. Then TV decided to expand south of 44 and Wildwood saw the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. They started annexing farmland that would become part of TV, and their coffers grew so now they are a town with considerable tax revenue. Folks in TV who live north of 44 do not have this issue, and do not pay nearly $1,000 extra each year to a town, nor do almost all homes north of 466 have any bond to pay. it does matter where you live in TV.

The developers encouraged Wildwood to annex the land. They wanted Wildwood to get boatloads of money so they would have money to fix up that town that had a very high rate of poverty at the time. They figured it is a gateway to TV and they wanted it brought up to a good standard. I do believe that much of the Villages south of 466A to 44 is also included.

[John Mayes]

Are you sure you don't mean Lake County? It looks like Leesburg, Fruitland Park, and Lady Lake are all in Lake County.

I was just comparing the city tax rates for Leesburg and Wildwood, not county rates.

My mistake. I had a brain freeze….should be Lake County, not Lee.

[Boston1945]

Simple. The map was drawn up in a small bar on 301 many years ago late one sat. night.

[retiredguy123]

Not sure where you got that info from.

Utilities - Rate Information (https://www.districtgov.org/departments/utilities/rate_information.aspx)
Comparing the potable and sewer rate per gallon for a Wildwood address and a non-Wildwood address, it appears that the Wildwood rates are about two times the cost of the non-Wildwood rates.

This comparison is using actual water bills, which are public information.

[Rainger99]

The developers encouraged Wildwood to annex the land. They wanted Wildwood to get boatloads of money so they would have money to fix up that town.

What are they doing with the money??

[Bogie Shooter]

What are they doing with the money??

More to help you sleep at night............
Finance Department | Wildwood Florida (https://www.wildwood-fl.gov/finance)

BTW. Do you have a search engine?

[Rainger99]

More to help you sleep at night............
Finance Department | Wildwood Florida (https://www.wildwood-fl.gov/finance)


Have they fixed up the town with the money?

[Rainger99]

Unfortunately most people don’t know they pay additional city tax until they receive their tax bill.

It is true that the real estate agent doesn't tell you that taxes are higher in Wildwood than in the unincorporated parts of Sumter County. But when I bought, I wasn't so much concerned about the breakdown as I was about the total tax bill. The current Villages website estimates taxes should be about $4500 and when I got my first bill, my taxes were well under that. That was a nice surprise! But if I had bought preowned outside of Wildwood, I would have saved about $800 a year.

[Bikehike]

when do we pay the ad valorem taxes?

[retiredguy123]

when do we pay the ad valorem taxes? they were not included when I paid the tax bill and the account shows no balance
The bill will be coming out on about November 1.

[dewilson58]

More to help you sleep at night............
Finance Department | Wildwood Florida (https://www.wildwood-fl.gov/finance)

BTW. Do you have a search engine?

You can lead a horse to water...................

[rockyhyder]

Other than police protection, does anyone know what else Wildwood residents get for the extra $914 a year they pay that people living outside of Wildwood don’t pay?

Normally a city will provide police protection, garbage collection, water and sewer. Do you see Wildwood garbage trucks or Jacobs garbage trucks? Same with water and sewer.

[Rainger99]

Tax breakdown for Sumter.


County Millage Rate Information | Sumter County, FL - Official Website (https://www.sumtercountyfl.gov/865/County-Millage-Rate-Information)

[Rainger99]

when do we pay the ad valorem taxes? they were not included when I paid the tax bill and the account shows no balance

Your tax bill should be broken down into parts. The top half says ad valorem taxes. These are county, Wildwood, and school taxes and they are based on the value of the property.

The bottom half says non ad valorem. This is the bond, the maintenance, and the fire assessment.

If you are new, you only pay on the assessed value of the land the first year. Enjoy it - they go up next year!!!

[nn0wheremann]

Your home in the Village of Charlotte is strictly in Sumter County. All homes south the 44 are in the city of Wildwood. But they use The Villages as their city. Unfortunately most people don’t know they pay additional city tax until they receive their tax bill. No additional services compared to what you receive. The Villages is not a city that is incorporated in the United States. Technically the United States post office just recognizes The Villages as a city.
Having our own ZIP codes gives Villagers breaks on insurance costs. Those accidents on 441 and 301 happen in the ZIP codes for Lady Lake and Wildwood, and thus don’t fall within the rating areas designated 32162 and 32163. Or so I was told by a retired insurance guy.

[JGibson]

Kinda weird that the Wildwood map goes up into Oxford.
Also if you work in the confines of Wildwood map do you they deduct for city of Wildwood tax?

[Mrs.Guy]

More to help you sleep at night............
Finance Department | Wildwood Florida (https://www.wildwood-fl.gov/finance)

BTW. Do you have a search engine?

:shrug: May not be firing on all cylinders........... :undecided:

[Mrs.Guy]

The bill will be coming out on about November 1.

:ho: Found mine online yesterday and paid by e-check on the their site. Completely painless....... because both easy and more than $300 less than 2006 tax bill for the same home. :thumbup:

[justjim]

The developers encouraged Wildwood to annex the land. They wanted Wildwood to get boatloads of money so they would have money to fix up that town that had a very high rate of poverty at the time. They figured it is a gateway to TV and they wanted it brought up to a good standard. I do believe that much of the Villages south of 466A to 44 is also included.

Villages from 466A to 44 are not in the city of Wildwood and do not pay taxes to Wildwood.

[retiredguy123]

Villages from 466A to 44 are not in the city of Wildwood and do not pay taxes to Wildwood.
Not if this map of Wildwood is correct. Apparently, there are a number of Villages houses near Brownwood, East of Buena Vista, and North of Rt 44 that appear to be in Wildwood. There are also some houses West of Powell Road near Brownwood that appear to be in Wildwood. Brownwood is also in Wildwood.

https://www.bing.com/maps?q=wildwood+map&cvid=75fa1b8e92e7403b886e11fdc56c7760&aqs=edge.0.0l9.4310j0j4&FORM=ANAB01&PC=HCTS

[Carol Fiore]

I moved from Collier(county) to Marsh Bend(city). We are taxed extra for City Tax. This is only one part of the problem. I just had a VAB (Value Adjustment Board) hearing on Weds. Sumter County uses The Villages Models to determine your tax rate. The Magistrate made the document public so now Sumter PA must tell you they are using the Villages Models to determine your taxes. They are now on notice to fix the Models. The Village sales offices are unaware they are using their models. Sumter PA uses The Models from The Villages brochure, and they never updated their charts. The Magistrate said he would consider prejudice against Sumter County PA if we can go in as a group. If you want to see the documents, please private message me and I will forward you the documents. My group DH72(models) may be overcharged by $400 to $700 a year. Sumter PA did not keep up with the models, so they added larger and more expensive homes to our group causing the standard models to be taxes at a higher rate. Here are the models that may be overcharged. Juniper, Putnam, Boxwood, Bridgeport, Livingston, Holly, Lantana, Orchid, Zinnia, Emmett and Redwood. This group is the highest taxed in Southern DH codes. Sumter PA were put on notice in 2020 by the Magistrate to fix this and they ignored them. It took them 2 years to admit they were modeling the homes. Once they put you on their system with the DH code, you will always be overcharged. I am still researching this issue. If anyone from this group would like to get together, please private message me and we can set up a meeting.

NOTE: I think every group might have this problem. I only researched my DH72 group. I believe Sumter PA has been overcharging the Seniors taxes for years. I do not see this occurring outside of our Senior development. I am only researching, and this is my opinion only. I need more information to support my theory. Your house is not compared to your block but to other models in the area. My Bank appraisal did not use my model, Zillow doesn't use my model and my Village Sales representative does not use my model for resale. I am appraised higher than other houses on my block even though they paid almost $100,000 more than me. I cannot sell my house for more than other houses, but I pay higher taxes.

[champion6]

Villages from 466A to 44 are not in the city of Wildwood and do not pay taxes to Wildwood.

Not if this map of Wildwood is correct. Apparently, there are a number of Villages houses near Brownwood, East of Buena Vista, and North of Rt 44 that appear to be in Wildwood. There are also some houses West of Powell Road near Brownwood that appear to be in Wildwood. Brownwood is also in Wildwood.Three villa neighborhoods between 44A & 44 are in Wildwood: Alden Bungalows, Atwood Bungalows and Antrim Dells Villas. No villages homes north of 44A are in Wildwood.

[champion6]

Attached is a detailed comparison of 2022 taxes for The Villages in Sumter, Lake and Marion counties.

Facts ... just the facts.

[justjim]

Not if this map of Wildwood is correct. Apparently, there are a number of Villages houses near Brownwood, East of Buena Vista, and North of Rt 44 that appear to be in Wildwood. There are also some houses West of Powell Road near Brownwood that appear to be in Wildwood. Brownwood is also in Wildwood.

https://www.bing.com/maps?q=wildwood+map&cvid=75fa1b8e92e7403b886e11fdc56c7760&aqs=edge.0.0l9.4310j0j4&FORM=ANAB01&PC=HCTS

I stand corrected. There may be some homes/Villas near Brownwood in Wildwood’s tax jurisdiction. However, the vast majority of homes between 466A and 44 are not.

[jimkerr]

Other than police protection, does anyone know what else Wildwood residents get for the extra $914 a year they pay that people living outside of Wildwood don’t pay?

It's the same as any other city in this country. The taxes pay for city government and services. Ex: The Police Department Our water comes from the city of Wildwood too so it's just like any other city where you pay taxes to them.

[Rainger99]

It's the same as any other city in this country. The taxes pay for city government and services. Ex: The Police Department Our water comes from the city of Wildwood too so it's just like any other city where you pay taxes to them.

Other than police, can you tell us what else we are getting for our Wildwood taxes? According to the City's website, they have a Parks & Recreation Department which offers a seniors program on Tuesday where you get Bingo, Arts & Crafts, Board Games, Movie Matinee, and a Lunch and Learn class offered by the University of Florida Extension Services.

Are Villagers who live in Wildwood better off than Villagers who live outside of Wildwood? It would be interesting for any of the Villagers who live outside of Wildwood to state whether they would like to be annexed by Wildwood.

They are also working on a Downtown Master Plan and a Strategic Plan.

https://www.wildwood-fl.gov/sites/default/files/filefield_paths/wildwood_florida_report_with_appendix.pdf

https://www.wildwood-fl.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/community/page/2931/fy23-27_strategic_plan.pdf

[patfla06]

My friend who lives in Marsh Bend and I (Village of Charlotte) were looking at our tax bills. We did a comparison of our Ad Valorem Taxes. Our first line was Sumter County, our next line was Sumter Co School Board, then hers had City of Wildwood (mine did not) and the next was SWFWMD. Our mileage and exemption is the same. However, she has $914.00 going to the City of Wildwood and I don't. So the Ad Valorem part of her tax bill is much higher despite our home values being similar. Do all of the homes south of 44 pay taxes to the City of Wildwood? Between 466A and 44 from Powell on the West to Morris on the East do all homes not have to pay tax to the City of Wildwood? What services do the homes that pay taxes to the City of Wildwood get that others in my section (466A - 44 and Powell Rd to Morris) not receive? I always thought that we were in Wildwood but on letters I give my address as The Villages but The Villages is not a city is it? Fruitland Park is in Lake County. So is the Village of Charlotte in a city other than being called The Villages?

Section 4 does have extra millage rate for the City of Wildwood.
I also think some homes just north of 44 might too.

[LuvtheVillages]

Kinda weird that the Wildwood map goes up into Oxford.
Also if you work in the confines of Wildwood map do you they deduct for city of Wildwood tax?

We are talking about property tax, not income tax. So, no deduction from your wages.

[Bilyclub]

Other than police, can you tell us what else we are getting for our Wildwood taxes? According to the City's website, they have a Parks & Recreation Department which offers a seniors program on Tuesday where you get Bingo, Arts & Crafts, Board Games, Movie Matinee, and a Lunch and Learn class offered by the University of Florida Extension Services.

Are Villagers who live in Wildwood better off than Villagers who live outside of Wildwood? It would be interesting for any of the Villagers who live outside of Wildwood to state whether they would like to be annexed by Wildwood.

They are also working on a Downtown Master Plan and a Strategic Plan.

https://www.wildwood-fl.gov/sites/default/files/filefield_paths/wildwood_florida_report_with_appendix.pdf

https://www.wildwood-fl.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/community/page/2931/fy23-27_strategic_plan.pdf


Hell no x 2.

[Hifred]

Yes The Villages is a city! On the weather map everyday.


Is The Villages a city or town? The Villages is an active adult community dedicated to people 55 and over. The Villages is a master-planned community, which means it is a residential area with a large number of recreational and commercial amenities.

The Villages is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sumter County, Florida, United States.

[Hifred]

How on earth can you buy a house and not know what city or county it is located in?

When we bought our home we were told that we were in an incorporated area. The Villages is not a city. The Villages is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sumter County, Florida, United States. I just wondered if it had incorporated into a city yet.

[champion6]

When we bought our home we were told that we were in an incorporated area. The Villages is not a city. The Villages is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sumter County, Florida, United States. I just wondered if it had incorporated into a city yet.You might be in an incorporated area - Lady Lake or Fruitland Park or Wildwood. It depends on what village you live in. In which village is your home located?

The Villages has never become an incorporated city. I don't believe it ever will.

[Rainger99]

It seems that fairly soon, about 30% or more of TV will be in Wildwood. However, Wildwood was not as eager to have the Villages in 2015. The deal fell through to build 785 homes at 466A and Powell Road.

The Villages withdraws Wildwood plan (https://www.ocala.com/story/news/local/2015/04/30/the-villages-withdraws-wildwood-plan/31957699007/)

In 2015, Wildwood said that they wanted to keep their identity. Does anyone know why Wildwood became so Villager friendly a few years later?

Since that time, the Villages acquired 5600 acres in 2018, about 770 acres in 2018, and 642 acres were rezoned this year.

[Bogie Shooter]

It seems that fairly soon, about 30% or more of TV will be in Wildwood. However, Wildwood was not as eager to have the Villages in 2015. The deal fell through to build 785 homes at 466A and Powell Road.

The Villages withdraws Wildwood plan (https://www.ocala.com/story/news/local/2015/04/30/the-villages-withdraws-wildwood-plan/31957699007/)

In 2015, Wildwood said that they wanted to keep their identity. Does anyone know why Wildwood became so Villager friendly a few years later?

Since that time, the Villages acquired 5600 acres in 2018, about 770 acres in 2018, and 642 acres were rezoned this year.

Not even my Magic Eight Ball could answer that question.:laugh:

[Mrs.Guy]

Not even my Magic Eight Ball could answer that question.:laugh:

:wave: Want to use my Ouija Board? :beer3:

[Nucky]

Not even my Magic Eight Ball could answer that question.:laugh:

Could it be $$ Money $$?? Maybe someone made someone else an offer they couldn't refuse. :blahblahblah:

[BobnBev]

It seems that fairly soon, about 30% or more of TV will be in Wildwood. However, Wildwood was not as eager to have the Villages in 2015. The deal fell through to build 785 homes at 466A and Powell Road.

The Villages withdraws Wildwood plan (https://www.ocala.com/story/news/local/2015/04/30/the-villages-withdraws-wildwood-plan/31957699007/)

In 2015, Wildwood said that they wanted to keep their identity. Does anyone know why Wildwood became so Villager friendly a few years later?

Since that time, the Villages acquired 5600 acres in 2018, about 770 acres in 2018, and 642 acres were rezoned this year.

Greased palms-$$$$$$$$$-(not the tree).:thumbup:

[BobnBev]

My taxes went down by $124 this year.:girlneener: