Received New Fire Assessment DOUBLE

[Normal]

Thanks to some genius politicians, we received our new Fire assessment fee statement for 2024-25.

320.71

Heads need to roll!

Almost doubling the Fire assessment fee is their answer while we get statements from them like, “We are flush with cash.”

Um yah, no wonder!

[Bill14564]

Thanks to some genius politicians, we received our new Fire assessment fee statement for 2024-25.

320.71

Heads need to roll!

Almost doubling the Fire assessment fee is their answer while we get statements from them like, “We are flush with cash.”

Um yah, no wonder!

If only you had attended one of the presentations or paid attention to the explanation in earlier threads. Then you might understand where that number came from and why it likely represents a decrease in your fire protection payment.

I expected mine to be closer to $350 so I’ll be happy if I see $320. By way of comparison, I paid about $520 for fire protection on my last tax bill.

[Normal]

If only you had attended one of the presentations or paid attention to the explanation in earlier threads. Then you might understand where that number came from and why it likely represents a decrease in your fire protection payment.

I did attend the meeting at the rec center and have a copy of the slide presentation, thanks anyway for your uninformed input.

[Bill14564]

I did attend the meeting at the rec center and have a copy of the slide presentation, thanks anyway for your uninformed input.

In that case I am confused by your comment since the information on page 16 of the presentation shows an expected fee of $333. Your $320 is less than what you were told during the presentation.

[Normal]

In that case I am confused by your comment since the information on page 16 of the presentation shows an expected fee of $333. Your $320 is less than what you were told during the presentation.

Are you really expecting a reduction in county taxes? Swampland anyone?

[Kenswing]

Hmmmm. Less than a dollar a day for fire and ambulance service. I never in my wildest dreams would have thought that was unreasonable.

[Papa_lecki]

Hmmmm. Less than a dollar a day for fire and ambulance service. I never in my wildest dreams would have thought that was unreasonable.

And, if you (or your loved one) are having a cardiac incident, fast ambulance response, not 30 minutes.

[DrMack]

Thanks to some genius politicians, we received our new Fire assessment fee statement for 2024-25.

320.71

Heads need to roll!

Almost doubling the Fire assessment fee is their answer while we get statements from them like, “We are flush with cash.”

Um yah, no wonder!

Sorry it cant be, but nice try. The assessment can’t legally be raised by more than 3%. It’s Florida law. If a tax is based on a property parcel number, the tax can’t be raised by more than 3% per year.

“ Moreover, Florida law stipulates that the total amount of property taxes collected by each taxing authority cannot increase by more than 3% or the inflation rate, whichever is lesser, unless voters approve an increase.”

[Altavia]

Are you really expecting a reduction in county taxes? Swampland anyone?

You mean like the 9.1% rate cut for 2023 thanks for the investments int infrastructure?

The Villages is adding over $2 billion of new homes to the property tax base every year.


Sumter commissioners slash property tax rate | News | The Villages Daily Sun | thevillagesdailysun.com (https://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/news/villages/sumter-commissioners-slash-property-tax-rate/article_5fbd3e10-0262-11ed-b7b9-e706c5e049df.html)

[bobeaston]

Simple! Don't call them when you need help.
Wishing to decapitate the people who risk their lives to help you puts you in the category of spoiled teenagers.

[Shipping up to Boston]

Uh oh. I sense an AED like thread brewing!

[Bill14564]

Sorry it cant be, but nice try. The assessment can’t legally be raised by more than 3%. It’s Florida law. If a tax is based on a property parcel number, the tax can’t be raised by more than 3% per year.

“ Moreover, Florida law stipulates that the total amount of property taxes collected by each taxing authority cannot increase by more than 3% or the inflation rate, whichever is lesser, unless voters approve an increase.”

You will find that:
1. This is not a property tax; and,
2. This is a new taxing authority establishing a new assessment and not an increase to an existing property tax

[Gpsma]

Oh you poor villager…expecting nothing to increase..saying you live on a fixed income…all the while collecting social security and maybe a pension while living in a half a million housr

Cry me a river

[Robojo]

And, if you (or your loved one) are having a cardiac incident, fast ambulance response, not 30 minutes.

And we have defrib stations everywhere.

[TomPerry]

Thanks to some genius politicians, we received our new Fire assessment fee statement for 2024-25.

320.71

Heads need to roll!

Almost doubling the Fire assessment fee is their answer while we get statements from them like, “We are flush with cash.”

Um yah, no wonder!
To the OP, “NORMAL”, we have been here eight years and this is the first increase in the fire assessment fee! A less than $3 per week increase and you want to “roll heads”!!! Boy do you need a new Avatar Name!!!!!!

[Girlcopper]

In that case I am confused by your comment since the information on page 16 of the presentation shows an expected fee of $333. Your $320 is less than what you were told during the presentation.
You’re right. Seems the OP is the uninformed or confused one

[bowlingal]

there is a meeting about this on June 12 at 1:00 PM at the Savannah Center. BE THERE!!!!

[crash]

Thanks to some genius politicians, we received our new Fire assessment fee statement for 2024-25.

320.71

Heads need to roll!

Almost doubling the Fire assessment fee is their answer while we get statements from them like, “We are flush with cash.”

Um yah, no wonder!

We voted for the county to take over ambulance service they have 12 ambulances under AMR we had three. We voted no for the independent district because it would raise our fee and then let them put in the dependent district which is the same thing after we screamed that they cut service because the county cut funding. So what did you expect the budget is 23 million and it is not going to come from your property taxes. We want the service but we don’t want to pay for it. Sorry it doesn’t work that way. $300 a year for fire service isn’t bad and won’t kill you but no service just might.

Part of what you paid before was in your property taxes which is no longer funding the Fire Dept. but will probably go to pay for the roads. I am sure the commissioners will say they have cut your property taxes and not include the new fee in that because it is not a tax but a fee. Kind of like a magician don’t look what my left hand is doing only look at the right.

[crash]

And, if you (or your loved one) are having a cardiac incident, fast ambulance response, not 30 minutes.

Ambulance service is not part of that fee that is still funded by the county and the $550 fee for a trip to the hospital. This fee just covers fire protection.

[Shipping up to Boston]

We voted for the county to take over ambulance service they have 12 ambulances under AMR we had three. We voted no for the independent district because it would raise our fee and then let them put in the dependent district which is the same thing after we screamed that they cut service because the county cut funding. So what did you expect the budget is 23 million and it is not going to come from your property taxes. We want the service but we don’t want to pay for it. Sorry it doesn’t work that way. $300 a year for fire service isn’t bad and won’t kill you but no service just might.

Part of what you paid before was in your property taxes which is no longer funding the Fire Dept. but will probably go to pay for the roads. I am sure the commissioners will say they have cut your property taxes and not include the new fee in that because it is not a tax but a fee. Kind of like a magician don’t look what my left hand is doing only look at the right.

To your point....when will people realize ‘tax’ or ‘fees’ is semantics. It makes people feel good that are from ‘tax free’ states to hear fee vs taxes. In my wallet, it’s all the same thing.

[Bill14564]

...
Part of what you paid before was in your property taxes which is no longer funding the Fire Dept. but will probably go to pay for the roads. I am sure the commissioners will say they have cut your property taxes and not include the new fee in that because it is not a tax but a fee. Kind of like a magician don’t look what my left hand is doing only look at the right.

It will be important to see that the Sumter County Commissioners reduce the millage rate by the 1.3mills that covered fire protection this year. If the cost of fire protection is removed from the budget then property taxes can be lowered by that amount. If that happens, if the 1.3mills are removed, then my overall taxes will be reduced by almost $200.

My expectation is that the property tax rate will be reduced but not by the full 1.3mills. I will still be saving money on fire protection but I will be paying more for some additional service in the county. Then again, this is an election year.

[john352]

Sorry it cant be, but nice try. The assessment can’t legally be raised by more than 3%. It’s Florida law. If a tax is based on a property parcel number, the tax can’t be raised by more than 3% per year.

“ Moreover, Florida law stipulates that the total amount of property taxes collected by each taxing authority cannot increase by more than 3% or the inflation rate, whichever is lesser, unless voters approve an increase.”

The 3% limit ONLY applies to the "ASSESED VALUE" of your homestead property in the Ad Valorem portion of your tax bill. It does not apply to the "MILLAGE RATE" or any of the "NON-AD VALOREM ASSESSMENTS". In 2019, the Sumter County millage rate was legally increased by 25%.

[Shipping up to Boston]

It will be important to see that the Sumter County Commissioners reduce the millage rate by the 1.3mills that covered fire protection this year. If the cost of fire protection is removed from the budget then property taxes can be lowered by that amount. If that happens, if the 1.3mills are removed, then my overall taxes will be reduced by almost $200.

My expectation is that the property tax rate will be reduced but not by the full 1.3mills. I will still be saving money on fire protection but I will be paying more for some additional service in the county. Then again, this is an election year.

The very definition of a shell game. At least you acknowledge such

[john352]

Ambulance service is not part of that fee that is still funded by the county and the $550 fee for a trip to the hospital. This fee just covers fire protection.

Ambulance Transport is not part of the fee. If you call 911 and an ambulance comes to your home and Transport is not needed, then there is no charge; most of the Villages fire department's responses don't require transport.

[Indydealmaker]

Oh you poor villager…expecting nothing to increase..saying you live on a fixed income…all the while collecting social security and maybe a pension while living in a half a million housr

Cry me a river

Inappropriate post by an unhappy person.

[Bill14564]

The very definition of a shell game. At least you acknowledge such

I tried but I cannot find that definition when I search on "shell game." I certainly do not acknowledge that there is any "shell game" going on.

If the implication is that funding sources are being manipulated to disguise or hide anything then this seems to achieve exactly the opposite. Rather than having the fire protection costs buried in the overall budget they are being separated and made more clear. Reducing the number of items in the budget will make the budge even easier to understand. If additional expenses are added to the budget they will have a larger impact now that the fire protection costs have been removed and will be easier to identify. Listing the fire protection costs in a separate line item does not hide them, it makes them easier to see and understand.

[Shipping up to Boston]

I tried but I cannot find that definition when I search on "shell game." I certainly do not acknowledge that there is any "shell game" going on.

If the implication is that funding sources are being manipulated to disguise or hide anything then this seems to achieve exactly the opposite. Rather than having the fire protection costs buried in the overall budget they are being separated and made more clear. Reducing the number of items in the budget will make the budge even easier to understand. If additional expenses are added to the budget they will have a larger impact now that the fire protection costs have been removed and will be easier to identify. Listing the fire protection costs in a separate line item does not hide them, it makes them easier to see and understand.

Not everything in life is determined by a Google search...

“I will still be saving money on fire protection but I will be paying more for some additional service in the county. Then again, this is an election year.”

That’s what I based my ‘shell game’ response on.

[JGibson]

Wasn't AMR just EMT's and TVFD are paramedics.

If so the service would be an upgrade.

[Normal]

Not everything in life is determined by a Google search...

“I will still be saving money on fire protection but I will be paying more for some additional service in the county. Then again, this is an election year.”

That’s what I based my ‘shell game’ response on.

I don’t think the bill for fire protection is atrocious if a total aggregated bill was itemized and this was a subsection of the bill. You are talking about a different game though if you are drawn in as a Wildwood resident. Wildwood residents already pay a lot for nothing. We aren’t the unincorporated section already freeloading for police off of everybody’s sheriff department.

[Bilyclub]

It will be important to see that the Sumter County Commissioners reduce the millage rate by the 1.3mills that covered fire protection this year. If the cost of fire protection is removed from the budget then property taxes can be lowered by that amount. If that happens, if the 1.3mills are removed, then my overall taxes will be reduced by almost $200.

My expectation is that the property tax rate will be reduced but not by the full 1.3mills. I will still be saving money on fire protection but I will be paying more for some additional service in the county. Then again, this is an election year.


The one member of the county board who stated we wouldn't also be paying for Sumter County Fire is no longer on the board. We shall see. I wouldn't count on them doing us right.

[Johnsocat]

I did attend the meeting at the rec center and have a copy of the slide presentation, thanks anyway for your uninformed input.

No need to be nasty or rude to responders. It appears YOU were mistaken based on all the responses.

[d1nod1no]

I live next to, not in, the Villages and got a letter. ? ? ?
Thanks to some genius politicians, we received our new Fire assessment fee statement for 2024-25.

320.71

Heads need to roll!

Almost doubling the Fire assessment fee is their answer while we get statements from them like, “We are flush with cash.”

Um yah, no wonder!

[Sandy and Ed]

Hmmmm. Less than a dollar a day for fire and ambulance service. I never in my wildest dreams would have thought that was unreasonable.
Amen. And thank you for pointing this out.

[tophcfa]

Ambulance service is not part of that fee that is still funded by the county and the $550 fee for a trip to the hospital.

Well worth it IF they bring you to a REAL HOSPITAL in Gainesville.

[bsloan1960]

Oh you poor villager…expecting nothing to increase..saying you live on a fixed income…all the while collecting social security and maybe a pension while living in a half a million housr

Cry me a river I'm amused at people's misdirected irritation with SS and pensions. If you work for a living you pay a TAX on every paycheck- that TAX is called Social Security. Over your working life you pay in Much More than you collect in retirement. Now, as for pensions. Pensions are offered by employers to make their jobs more attractive to workers and as an incentive to stay at that job long term. Most pensions are self-funded (from My Pay Check), as well as an employers contributions over time.

In my particular case, my Social Security and Pension combined provide me with less than Half of what I was paid while working. I just realized I'm wasting my time explaining what should be common sense to someone addicted to criticizing people, and in this case criticizing people living on money that They Earned- who, like everyone else, including the criticizer, want the most value for their money.

[jjombrello]

If only you had attended one of the presentations or paid attention to the explanation in earlier threads. Then you might understand where that number came from and why it likely represents a decrease in your fire protection payment.

I expected mine to be closer to $350 so I’ll be happy if I see $320. By way of comparison, I paid about $520 for fire protection on my last tax bill.

I agree with Victor on this one. It was simply and adequately explained in the Daily Sun as to how the new cost compares to what was paid in the past. I see a decrease in my annual fire protection payment.

[Papa_lecki]

Ambulance service is not part of that fee that is still funded by the county and the $550 fee for a trip to the hospital. This fee just covers fire protection.

Oh, I thought the whole purpose of changing the fire set up was related to Ambulance response time (I didn’t think the ambulance fee was included).
When ambulance was outsourced to AMR, response time could be 30 minutes, now that response is from the fire department, response time has improved drastically, which means you get to a doctor faster.

[dougjb]

the members of that committee just vote the way the developer wants them too. Thus, a huge increase in fire assessments with no decrease in the taxes. Works out well for the developer...not so good for us. The members of that committee are elected. They can be turned out.

[Papa_lecki]

Well worth it IF they bring you to a REAL HOSPITAL in Gainesville.

Say you’re have a cardiac incident, you would rather drive for 60 minutes to Gainesville than get to a doctor as quickly as possible?

[Bill14564]

I live next to, not in, the Villages and got a letter. ? ? ?

1. Did your letter come from the SCFEMS? They are also working on a new fee structure and may have sent out letters.

2. Do you live close enough to be one of the few non-Village properties covered by the VPSDDD? Here is a map (https://www.districtgov.org/yourdistrict/images/TVPSDDD%20Boundary.png) showing the coverage area.

If neither of those is the case, contact whoever sent the letter (VPSDDD or the Sumter County Tax Collector) and ask them to explain it.

[Bogie Shooter]

the members of that committee just vote the way the developer wants them too. Thus, a huge increase in fire assessments with no decrease in the taxes. Works out well for the developer...not so good for us. The members of that committee are elected. They can be turned out.
What post are you responding to?

[Kallbox]

You play for what you get. The Villages Public Safety now has Fire Rescue which will save lives unlike AMR ambulance service. I will gladly pay for our first responders!

[tophcfa]

Say you’re have a cardiac incident, you would rather drive for 60 minutes to Gainesville than get to a doctor as quickly as possible?

Yes, I’d rather die than go back to the ER at the Villages hospital. I would trust the trained paramedics to care for me during the ambulance ride way more than the Villages Hospital.

[allsport]

If only you had attended one of the presentations or paid attention to the explanation in earlier threads. Then you might understand where that number came from and why it likely represents a decrease in your fire protection payment.

I expected mine to be closer to $350 so I’ll be happy if I see $320. By way of comparison, I paid about $520 for fire protection on my last tax bill.

You will be taxed for both, they will never give that 500 back to you, that is the county money and the other is the villages. Neither are related.

[Papa_lecki]

the members of that committee just vote the way the developer wants them too. Thus, a huge increase in fire assessments with no decrease in the taxes. Works out well for the developer...not so good for us. The members of that committee are elected. They can be turned out.

I don’t think The Developer has a thing to do with fire/rescue.
It’s in the county’s purview. The Developer builds the firehouses, but I bet they get reimbursed for it.

[Bill14564]

You will be taxed for both, they will never give that 500 back to you, that is the county money and the other is the villages. Neither are related.

That is not the way it works.

Quick explanation:
- The county pays for all fire protection today
- The VPSDDD will now assess homeowners and pay for fire protection in 2024-2025 and beyond
- The county is working to create a MSBU to fund the SCFEMS as well
- This will remove fire protection costs from the county budget
- The county commissioners can do anything within reason with the millage rate but in future budgets they CANNOT claim it is for fire protection

As for never giving that back, if your crystal ball is that good would you please post next week's winning lottery numbers?

[Normal]

That is not the way it works.

Quick explanation:
- The county pays for all fire protection today
- The VPSDDD will now assess homeowners and pay for fire protection in 2024-2025 and beyond
- The county is working to create a MSBU to fund the SCFEMS as well
- This will remove fire protection costs from the county budget
- The county commissioners can do anything within reason with the millage rate but in future budgets they CANNOT claim it is for fire protection

As for never giving that back, if your crystal ball is that good would you please post next week's winning lottery numbers?
Hmmm
It looks like Wildwood will finally get their own fire department? Maybe things will work just like Fruitland Park and Leesburg sections of the Villages. Perhaps unincorporated can pay their own fees for fire. Then all will be good.

[Bill14564]

Hmmm
It looks like Wildwood will finally get their own fire department? Maybe things will work just like Fruitland Park and Leesburg sections of the Villages. Perhaps unincorporated can pay their own fees for fire. Then all will be good.

Wildwood, Florida does not have their own fire department and will not in the foreseeable future.

I haven't looked at how Fruitland Park and Leesburg sections of the Villages work but I imagine all sections will work very similarly.

Unincorporated has always paid their own fees for fire protection and will continue to do so.

PLEASE take time to look at the County and City budgets and learn where your various taxes are being spent.

[Shipping up to Boston]

Hmmm
It looks like Wildwood will finally get their own fire department? Maybe things will work just like Fruitland Park and Leesburg sections of the Villages. Perhaps unincorporated can pay their own fees for fire. Then all will be good.

Yeah....pretty sure they are still Sumter County Fire and EMS

[CoachKandSportsguy]

To your point....when will people realize ‘tax’ or ‘fees’ is semantics. It makes people feel good that are from ‘tax free’ states to hear fee vs taxes. In my wallet, it’s all the same thing.

Yes and no. Yes we have to pay for it, but that is irrelevant between taxes and frees.

The question is:
Single bill for politicians divvy up as spending?
OR
Activity based billing for specific activities and beneficiaries?

The activity based is more specific and targeted, and less subject to politicians’ whims and their purchasers.

The downside is feeling nickeled and domed to death, but it’s more transparent and fair.

1$ per day for something you need when you need it is not outrageous currently. The property tax spending is much more insidious

[kcrazorbackfan]

Thanks to some genius politicians, we received our new Fire assessment fee statement for 2024-25.

320.71

Heads need to roll!

Almost doubling the Fire assessment fee is their answer while we get statements from them like, “We are flush with cash.”

Um yah, no wonder!

Wow! Stepped into a pile of 💩 with that post, didn’t you?

[Bogie Shooter]

Wow! Stepped into a pile of 💩 with that post, didn’t you?

:boom:

[mtdjed]

the members of that committee just vote the way the developer wants them too. Thus, a huge increase in fire assessments with no decrease in the taxes. Works out well for the developer...not so good for us. The members of that committee are elected. They can be turned out.

How much of an increase are you seeing? Prior posters have explained that the fire assessments are included in your current tax bill. That portion of your tax bill will be dropped and instead be an itemized fee. Let's assume that the stated 1.3% millage rate for fire assessment is correct. Then you look up your assessed value. If you got a notice that the maximum assessment is $320.71, I believe your break-even point is an assessed value of $250,000. If your assessed value is greater, you are happy. If lower, you will pay some amount more.

[Altavia]

Wow! Stepped into a pile of ������ with that post, didn’t you?

Never let the facts get in the way ;-)

[Gettingoutofdodge]

Thanks to some genius politicians, we received our new Fire assessment fee statement for 2024-25.

320.71

Heads need to roll!

Almost doubling the Fire assessment fee is their answer while we get statements from them like, “We are flush with cash.”

Um yah, no wonder!

They lost in the general election. They lost in the community vote at Everglades last year. So then the Commissioners created a new governing board and gave them the power to raise the fire assessment. They will also raise the mil value on a part of our taxes. I read the document and it’s very confusing. The new areas all need fire houses. The developer will build them and then lease them back to us.

On a side note, on May 5 I went to the UHF emergency room on 44. I had a septic knee from a cortisone shot I had on May 1st. I waited from 7PM for an ambulance to take me to the Village Hospital. None came. An ambulance came from Orlando to take me to the hospital. I got admitted at 1 am. My nurse was waiting at my room for me.
So when I needed a Village Ambulance for transport to the Villages Hospital, none was available to me! Why?
I was in the Village Hospital 5 days and it was an amazing experience, 4th floor, observation. They were all amazing as was the medical care. I didn’t want to go there, but so glad that I did.
Back to topic. There is a meeting on this in June. If I am better, I will go. Everyone should go and voice their opinion’s. They are also planning to raise the Ammenity fees again.
I love the Villages, but it’s time to stop them from using us as an ATM machine.

[G.R.I.T.S.]

And, if you (or your loved one) are having a cardiac incident, fast ambulance response, not 30 minutes.

Seven minutes for us and that was on a Saturday morning of a holiday weekend.

[crash]

You play for what you get. The Villages Public Safety now has Fire Rescue which will save lives unlike AMR ambulance service. I will gladly pay for our first responders!

The fire fee does not cover ambulance service just fire. The ambulance service is stilled paid for from your property taxes. The fire fee raises $23 million for fire protection the budget for the fire department is $53 million.

[Remembergoldenrule]

Thanks to some genius politicians, we received our new Fire assessment fee statement for 2024-25.

320.71

Heads need to roll!

Almost doubling the Fire assessment fee is their answer while we get statements from them like, “We are flush with cash.”

Um yah, no wonder!

No, thanks to the genius voters who voted to let Sumter County control the fire stations in the Villages instead of voting for our own district.

[jim@jedward.com]

I'm in District 13. My Fire Assessment went from $125/yr to $321/yr, a 256% increase. What the....?

[golfing eagles]

I'm in District 13. My Fire Assessment went from $125/yr to $321/yr, a 256% increase. What the....?

But THEORETICALLY, your county tax will go down by the same amount. However, I wouldn't hold my breath. This is the direct result of the voter's decision based on a misinformation campaign last year not to create an independent fire district, so now the county has control of our services, and fire budget.

[Bill14564]

The fire fee does not cover ambulance service just fire. The ambulance service is stilled paid for from your property taxes. The fire fee raises $23 million for fire protection the budget for the fire department is $53 million.

This is incorrect.

The VPSD request for 2023 to cover both fire and ambulance was $34M. The budget for the VPSDDD for 2024 is not $53M and even if the ambulance was separated, it would not be an additional $20M on top of the VPSDDD.

$53M is close to the $60M request for both VPSD and SCFEMS combined. The VPSDDD budget will only cover services within the Villages area. A separate MSBU is being worked on to cover SCFEMS expenses.
[EDIT: The VPSD proposed budget for this year was $47M. However, only $34M was to come from the county and only $20M was ultimately approved. This $20M is a very close match to the $19M to be collected through the VPSDDD assessment next year.]

"Ambulance service" includes EMS and advanced life support (ALS) transport. I believe the EMS functions can be funded through the dependent district. The only portion of "ambulance service" that cannot be funded through the district is the ALS transport. I believe those expenses will be covered by the transport fee (someone quoted $550). But this would be a great question to take to the VPSDDD meeting or the Sumter County BoCC meeting.

[Ptmcbriz]

If that’s what it takes for a modern expanded services for emergency response $0.80/per day is the cheapest insurance I’ve ever heard. I will gladly pay it to bring our updated services.

[cahvillage]

I just received my notice and it didn't double...In our neighborhood, the fire rescue has been in here a lot and they arrive within 5 minutes. It is worth paying a little more to have them show up quickly and maybe save somebody's life....

[LeRoySmith]

Wow! Stepped into a pile of 💩 with that post, didn’t you?

:bigbow:

[LeRoySmith]

Hmmmm. Less than a dollar a day for fire and ambulance service. I never in my wildest dreams would have thought that was unreasonable.

I'm with you on this one. Super cheap insurance, especially for a place packed with old folks.

[DrMack]

I'm with you on this one. Super cheap insurance, especially for a place packed with old folks.


You used the words cheap insurance in the same sentence in Florida. We just got our statement for renewal adjustment. Our rates have more than doubled again! Yes, twice in a row. Progressive is out for us.

[LeRoySmith]

You used the words cheap insurance in the same sentence in Florida. We just got our statement for renewal adjustment. Our rates have more than doubled again! Yes, twice in a row. Progressive is out for us.

That was a big oversight on my part, you're correct it seems insurance is pretty pricy here.

Overall I'd say I'm doing pretty good with State Farm but the cart insurance was a lot higher than I thought it would be, PLUP too. The overall package I get with them seems fair given I live in a place where mutha nature is angry a lot and many of my fellow citizens are very litigious.

[jmaccallum]

It will be important to see that the Sumter County Commissioners reduce the millage rate by the 1.3mills that covered fire protection this year. If the cost of fire protection is removed from the budget then property taxes can be lowered by that amount. If that happens, if the 1.3mills are removed, then my overall taxes will be reduced by almost $200.

My expectation is that the property tax rate will be reduced but not by the full 1.3mills. I will still be saving money on fire protection but I will be paying more for some additional service in the county. Then again, this is an election year.

Exactly! IF there is no reduction or less than a reduction of 1.3 mills, then we are all paying more $$’s. $195 more at least ($320 - $125 = $195) PLUS the ad velorum portion that ranged from $300 to $400 out of property taxes - that we have been paying all along. If there is No change by the Commissioners, you could say we will be paying upwards of $600 plus for Fire Protection. Or as someone else said, we will be paying $320 plus for Fire Protection and now more $$’s - that we have already been paying - for whatever else they decide to spend that ad volorum on, as it isn’t supposedly going to Fire Protection anymore.

The reality, as far as Cash Flow - at this point anyway - is that we all will be paying at least $195 more - when we stroke our checks in November.

I’m all for good Fire Protection and sure it has to be paid for, but I don’t appreciate the “Dog and Pony Show” and the “Breathing Fire into Numbers” from both the Commission Meetings and the DistrictGov.org. Any “Savings” at this point is a Pipe Dream. We’ll see what the Commissioners do…

[Bill14564]

Exactly! IF there is no reduction or less than a reduction of 1.3 mills, then we are all paying more $$’s. $195 more at least ($320 - $125 = $195) PLUS the ad velorum portion that ranged from $300 to $400 out of property taxes - that we have been paying all along. If there is No change by the Commissioners, you could say we will be paying upwards of $600 plus for Fire Protection. Or as someone else said, we will be paying $320 plus for Fire Protection and now more $$’s - that we have already been paying - for whatever else they decide to spend that ad volorum on, as it isn’t supposedly going to Fire Protection anymore.

The reality, as far as Cash Flow - at this point anyway - is that we all will be paying at least $195 more - when we stroke our checks in November.

I’m all for good Fire Protection and sure it has to be paid for, but I don’t appreciate the “Dog and Pony Show” and the “Breathing Fire into Numbers” from both the Commission Meetings and the DistrictGov.org. Any “Savings” at this point is a Pipe Dream. We’ll see what the Commissioners do…


We *were* all paying $125 + 1.3mills for fire protection (= $530 in my case)
We *will* be paying $320.71 + 0.03mills estimated for fire protection (= $330 in my case)

We will be paying $0 for fire protection through the county budget. If there is no change by the commissioners I will say that they increased my taxes by at least 1.3mills to pay for even more county services. I don't know yet if I will agree with the services or not, but they will NOT be fire protection services.

[asianthree]

You used the words cheap insurance in the same sentence in Florida. We just got our statement for renewal adjustment. Our rates have more than doubled again! Yes, twice in a row. Progressive is out for us.

Our renewal was $648 in February $41 less than last year. So pretty happy, however we are awaiting the cost for endorsements for the pool we just added, so will definitely see an increase

[Glowing Horizon]

I'm with you on this one. Super cheap insurance, especially for a place packed with old folks.

And a place with very frequent lightning strikes too

[Altavia]

Thanks to some genius politicians, we received our new Fire assessment fee statement for 2024-25.

320.71

Heads need to roll!

Almost doubling the Fire assessment fee is their answer while we get statements from them like, “We are flush with cash.”

Um yah, no wonder!

Maybe I missed it, any plans to issue a correction to your post?

[Altavia]

We *were* all paying $125 + 1.3mills for fire protection (= $530 in my case)
We *will* be paying $320.71 + 0.03mills estimated for fire protection (= $330 in my case)

We will be paying $0 for fire protection through the county budget. If there is no change by the commissioners I will say that they increased my taxes by at least 1.3mills to pay for even more county services. I don't know yet if I will agree with the services or not, but they will NOT be fire protection services.

Thanks for staying focused on the facts.

[Maker]

I was told at a recent "meet your officials" event that the new fire station on Warm Springs was budgeted to cost $8 million for the building, not including equipment. If this is the normal way of doing things, there is a lot of low hanging fruit ripe for saving money.
Where is the committee for identifying cost savings?
Spending that huge amount of money does not make sense. That's enough to easily build 12 luxury houses. That's 24 car garages and room for 12 golf carts. 12 kitchens, 36 bedrooms, 24 showers.
Smarter spending would get a whole lot more for a lot less money.
Why did they decide to build it for that amount???

[tophcfa]

Just received mine in the mail, ouch. However, I’ll reserve final judgement until I see the tax bill in its entirety and see how things net out? I hate shell games.

[dewilson58]

Just received mine in the mail, ouch. However, I’ll reserve final judgement until I see the tax bill in its entirety and see how things net out? I hate shell games.

Will be impossible to see it "net out" unfortunately.

You would have to look at last year's detailed budget and the new detailed budget to see the expenditure is gone.

:beer3:

[Bill14564]

Will be impossible to see it "net out" unfortunately.

You would have to look at last year's detailed budget and the new detailed budget to see the expenditure is gone.

:beer3:

How is that a problem?

[dewilson58]

How is that a problem?

Looking, Looking and still Looking.

Can't see where I said that is a problem.

:shrug:

[Bill14564]

Looking, Looking and still Looking.

Can't see where I said that is a problem.

:shrug:

Guess I was confused by your use of the word “impossible.”

[PugMom]

Inappropriate post by an unhappy person.

:BigApplause::highfive:

[Normal]

Will be impossible to see it "net out" unfortunately.

You would have to look at last year's detailed budget and the new detailed budget to see the expenditure is gone.

:beer3:

Just go to Meetings, Agendas, and Minutes | Sumter County, FL - Official Website (https://www.sumtercountyfl.gov/70/Meetings-Agendas-and-Minutes)

The budget workshop was just done last month.

[kcrazorbackfan]

I'm in District 13. My Fire Assessment went from $125/yr to $321/yr, a 256% increase. What the....?

Wow, $.88 per day. The end of civilization as we know it.

[Pairadocs]

They lost in the general election. They lost in the community vote at Everglades last year. So then the Commissioners created a new governing board and gave them the power to raise the fire assessment. They will also raise the mil value on a part of our taxes. I read the document and it’s very confusing. The new areas all need fire houses. The developer will build them and then lease them back to us.

On a side note, on May 5 I went to the UHF emergency room on 44. I had a septic knee from a cortisone shot I had on May 1st. I waited from 7PM for an ambulance to take me to the Village Hospital. None came. An ambulance came from Orlando to take me to the hospital. I got admitted at 1 am. My nurse was waiting at my room for me.
So when I needed a Village Ambulance for transport to the Villages Hospital, none was available to me! Why?
I was in the Village Hospital 5 days and it was an amazing experience, 4th floor, observation. They were all amazing as was the medical care. I didn’t want to go there, but so glad that I did.
Back to topic. There is a meeting on this in June. If I am better, I will go. Everyone should go and voice their opinion’s. They are also planning to raise the Ammenity fees again.
I love the Villages, but it’s time to stop them from using us as an ATM machine.

Sorry about your experience but so happy to hear at least the delay did not turn tragic given your condition. BUT, raising amenity fees AGAIN, seems after years of reasonable incremental increases in all areas, taxes, fees, water and other utilities, waste pick-up, etc. etc., it's just accelerating at a rate most villagers can't shoulder. May be a range of causes, most of which are mentioned with regularity on this sight: growing greed of each generation of the founding family, moving so far from the original developer's "dream" of an exceptional retirement for people of very humble, average, means, the original "where every man can belong to a country club and live like a king", the political savagery that grew with the growing population in a once mild and peaceful political environment, the growing diversity of the population, and just too many factors that have developed that have changed the community over the years. Not surprising that so many issues, including crime, radical changes in what is allowed in regard to renting (I can still remember the LIST of items that MUST be in your home IF you rent it, and how tightly all renting was controlled. But growth has made that impossible, made pool attendants at EVERY pool impossible now, so many surrounding governments competing for every dollar, it's not what it used to be, we who have been here 15, 20, and more years know that. But, where it is all going to "end", if it does "end", is unknown. Some have said for several years now it's ripe to go "bust" completely, others are more optimistic even if prices have been on a downward course from the highs. I sometime wonder if a complete change in local county government would help ? Would changing long time sheriff's turn the tide of crime, speeding, daily auto accidents, auto plunging into street lights and through concrete courtyard walls... and very seldom involving seniors, most in their 20's and seem to always "flee" on foot after these 2 and 3 a.m. accidents.This is not the sleepy, friendly little village anymore, but nothing stays the same, that's the trouble with most seniors, we often wish things could be "like they used to be", I can remember my grandmother saying that very thing when our small town of just under 20K in far south Florida, grew to 40K with all the "strangers" moving in... LOL !

[Pairadocs]

Wow, $.88 per day. The end of civilization as we know it.

True when you look at it in isolation. I would agree. But what most of us miss, I think, is seeing EACH financial item in our lives, food, gasoline, price of tires, insurance premiums, property taxes, even the price of a pair of shoes, in an isolated frame. Oh, gosh, milk has gone up 65% and eggs have increased 200% percent. Taxes "only" rose 20%, and fire or ambulance service only increased by $.88 per day. Then suddenly, as a retired relative of ours said a week ago, "SUDDENLY" you realize that it's all going over the cliff. No matter how careful you are with your S.S., or your retirement pension (if you have one), or with your savings (if you've managed to have that in addition to S.S. or a pension from a job, the light bulb comes on, you realize it's NOT the $.88 per day X 365, it's ALL the $.88 per day X every item in your life, from food, to clothing to new shingles or new shoes. When people say, it's ONLY $.88 more per day, less than $320.00, they are engaging in very short sighted thinking, and for most people that can be tragic. Most seniors have no way to work more hours, increase their income, obtain raises and promotions. The present economic picture is not a happy one for many of us for sure.

[Maker]

Wow, $.88 per day. The end of civilization as we know it.

The point is that for $0.88 you can spend more wisely or you can throw money away for nothing but lining pockets.
For example, two gas stations are next to each other. You can buy gas at either. One will be twice as expensive as the other. So you pick the lower price one. Smart spending generates savings. What can be done with the savings when scaled up to multi million dollar budgets? Lower taxes is one option. Buy more ambulances is another option. Hire more firefighters is also an option.

My opinion is that money is not being spent responsibly. The transparent accounting is not being shown, if it even happens. A deep line item audit on all spending is lacking. Nobody cares how much is being spent when nobody is held accountable.

[Gatorfan1]

We voted for the county to take over ambulance service they have 12 ambulances under AMR we had three. We voted no for the independent district because it would raise our fee and then let them put in the dependent district which is the same thing after we screamed that they cut service because the county cut funding. So what did you expect the budget is 23 million and it is not going to come from your property taxes. We want the service but we don’t want to pay for it. Sorry it doesn’t work that way. $300 a year for fire service isn’t bad and won’t kill you but no service just might.

Part of what you paid before was in your property taxes which is no longer funding the Fire Dept. but will probably go to pay for the roads. I am sure the commissioners will say they have cut your property taxes and not include the new fee in that because it is not a tax but a fee. Kind of like a magician don’t look what my left hand is doing only look at the right.

Or all of Sumter County?

[tophcfa]

Will be impossible to see it "net out" unfortunately.

:beer3:

In my view, it’s extremely easy. Perhaps I’m dumping things down too much, but I hate playing shell games. When I get my annual tax bill, I will pull out last years bill. I will then compare the check I wrote last year with the amount I have to write this year, and calculate the percentage difference. I prefer to focus on the bottom line, not a bunch of transparency clouding noise.

[Bill14564]

We *were* all paying $125 + 1.3mills for fire protection (= $530 in my case)
We *will* be paying $320.71 + 0.03mills estimated for fire protection (= $330 in my case)

We will be paying $0 for fire protection through the county budget. If there is no change by the commissioners I will say that they increased my taxes by at least 1.3mills to pay for even more county services. I don't know yet if I will agree with the services or not, but they will NOT be fire protection services.

It will be important to see that the Sumter County Commissioners reduce the millage rate by the 1.3mills that covered fire protection this year. If the cost of fire protection is removed from the budget then property taxes can be lowered by that amount. If that happens, if the 1.3mills are removed, then my overall taxes will be reduced by almost $200.

My expectation is that the property tax rate will be reduced but not by the full 1.3mills. I will still be saving money on fire protection but I will be paying more for some additional service in the county. Then again, this is an election year.

Well, the BoCC proved me wrong! The proposed budget, available from the minutes of the recent working group, shows the property tax remaining the same as this year PLUS the MSTU for TVPSDDD PLUS the increased MSBU. My effective tax rate will be going up, even in an election year!

I haven't gone through an analysis yet but what I see so far is

- The property tax rate is being set at the rollback rate - this is defined by Florida as neither a tax increase nor a tax decrease
- Transfers for fire protection drop from $35M in 23-24 to $19M in 24-25 - a $16M decrease in expenditures with 0% decrease in property tax rate
- The TVPSDDD MSTU of 0.0272 mills will be added resulting in a property tax INCREASE
- We already know (the subject of this thread) that the MSBU will be increased from $125 to $321 - a fee increase
- A transfer of $12M to TVPSDDD will cover ALS Readiness - legally, this was not allowed to be covered by the new MSBU
- The amount transferred this year to cover ALL TVPSD services including ALS was $20M
- The TVPSDDD report that calculated the $321 MSBU showed funding for fire protection only (no ALS) at $25M/year


Putting the last few together, it looks like the TVPSD was able to function and provide ambulance service in the 23-24 year for $20M. However, when the TVSPDDD stands up in 24-25 it will need $37M to provide the same services.

I need to spend time calculating what my effective property tax increase is going to be.

If I have misstated something above or appear to be misunderstanding anything, please let me know.


EDIT: It seems there will be a POA meeting tonight where the County Administrator will discuss the 24-25 budget. He will not be able to talk about the TVPSDDD budget but he SHOULD be able to explain why ALS Readiness in 24-25 will cost more than 50% of what ALL fire protection plus ALS cost in 23-24 AND why fire protection costs were reduced by $16M yet property tax rates were not able to be decreased below the rollback rate.

[Normal]

Well, the BoCC proved me wrong! The proposed budget, available from the minutes of the recent working group, shows the property tax remaining the same as this year PLUS the MSTU for TVPSDDD PLUS the increased MSBU. My effective tax rate will be going up, even in an election year!

I haven't gone through an analysis yet but what I see so far is

- The property tax rate is being set at the rollback rate - this is defined by Florida as neither a tax increase nor a tax decrease
- Transfers for fire protection drop from $35M in 23-24 to $19M in 24-25 - a $16M decrease in expenditures with 0% decrease in property tax rate
- The TVPSDDD MSTU of 0.0272 mills will be added resulting in a property tax INCREASE
- We already know (the subject of this thread) that the MSBU will be increased from $125 to $321 - a fee increase
- A transfer of $12M to TVPSDDD will cover ALS Readiness - legally, this was not allowed to be covered by the new MSBU
- The amount transferred this year to cover ALL TVPSD services including ALS was $20M
- The TVPSDDD report that calculated the $321 MSBU showed funding for fire protection only (no ALS) at $25M/year


Putting the last few together, it looks like the TVPSD was able to function and provide ambulance service in the 23-24 year for $20M. However, when the TVSPDDD stands up in 24-25 it will need $37M to provide the same services.

I need to spend time calculating what my effective property tax increase is going to be.

If I have misstated something above or appear to be misunderstanding anything, please let me know.


EDIT: It seems there will be a POA meeting tonight where the County Administrator will discuss the 24-25 budget. He will not be able to talk about the TVPSDDD budget but he SHOULD be able to explain why ALS Readiness in 24-25 will cost more than 50% of what ALL fire protection plus ALS cost in 23-24 AND why fire protection costs were reduced by $16M yet property tax rates were not able to be decreased below the rollback rate.

You expect a cut or rollback? They gave employees a raise. Additionally, expect Wildwood to increase our taxes too. The new sewage plant isn’t free. It isn’t funded by bonds like The Villages section was.

[Shipping up to Boston]

Well, the BoCC proved me wrong! The proposed budget, available from the minutes of the recent working group, shows the property tax remaining the same as this year PLUS the MSTU for TVPSDDD PLUS the increased MSBU. My effective tax rate will be going up, even in an election year!

I haven't gone through an analysis yet but what I see so far is

- The property tax rate is being set at the rollback rate - this is defined by Florida as neither a tax increase nor a tax decrease
- Transfers for fire protection drop from $35M in 23-24 to $19M in 24-25 - a $16M decrease in expenditures with 0% decrease in property tax rate
- The TVPSDDD MSTU of 0.0272 mills will be added resulting in a property tax INCREASE
- We already know (the subject of this thread) that the MSBU will be increased from $125 to $321 - a fee increase
- A transfer of $12M to TVPSDDD will cover ALS Readiness - legally, this was not allowed to be covered by the new MSBU
- The amount transferred this year to cover ALL TVPSD services including ALS was $20M
- The TVPSDDD report that calculated the $321 MSBU showed funding for fire protection only (no ALS) at $25M/year


Putting the last few together, it looks like the TVPSD was able to function and provide ambulance service in the 23-24 year for $20M. However, when the TVSPDDD stands up in 24-25 it will need $37M to provide the same services.

I need to spend time calculating what my effective property tax increase is going to be.

If I have misstated something above or appear to be misunderstanding anything, please let me know.


EDIT: It seems there will be a POA meeting tonight where the County Administrator will discuss the 24-25 budget. He will not be able to talk about the TVPSDDD budget but he SHOULD be able to explain why ALS Readiness in 24-25 will cost more than 50% of what ALL fire protection plus ALS cost in 23-24 AND why fire protection costs were reduced by $16M yet property tax rates were not able to be decreased below the rollback rate.

This reminds me of a favorite ‘municipal finance’ joke (paraphrasing); “For every tax issue encountered, there is a solution that is straightforward, uncomplicated.....and wrong”! :1rotfl:

[bopat]

I often see the big fire trucks responding to calls and I wonder why such a big truck is going out? Is there some huge building on fire? Or is it something that requires so many supplies or people that can only be housed in a huge fire truck?

I wonder if they have smaller trucks they can send out, smaller trucks might be more agile and a lot more economical.

[Kenswing]

I often see the big fire trucks responding to calls and I wonder why such a big truck is going out? Is there some huge building on fire? Or is it something that requires so many supplies or people that can only be housed in a huge fire truck?

I wonder if they have smaller trucks they can send out, smaller trucks might be more agile and a lot more economical. it’s quite normal to send an engine with an ambulance on a medical call. It provides extra manpower to transfer a patient. Also it’s common that an engine is available when an ambulance isn’t. All engines in The Villages have Paramedics. They can start treating a patient and wait for the ambulance if transport is required. This is standard procedure across much of the country.

[ElDiabloJoe]

it’s quite normal to send an engine with an ambulance on a medical call. It provides extra manpower to transfer a patient. Also it’s common that an engine is available when an ambulance isn’t. All engines in The Villages have Paramedics. They can start treating a patient and wait for the ambulance if transport is required. This is standard procedure across much of the country.

Besides, if you don't have a big engine along to make the big puddles, then Nozzle-heads can't dance around in the puddles like they enjoy when they're not grocery shopping, sleeping, cooking, or watching bass fishing on ESPN in those nice recliners. ;-)

[Shipping up to Boston]

Besides, if you don't have a big engine along to make the big puddles, then Nozzle-heads can't dance around in the puddles like they enjoy when they're not grocery shopping, sleeping, cooking, or watching bass fishing on ESPN in those nice recliners. ;-)

“Disliked”

[GoRedSox!]

I believe the fee is eminently reasonable, and the discussion around this was that some of the increased fee is going to come back in the form of lower property taxes. The reason I think the fee is so reasonable is that as a snowbird, I just paid our fire tax here in CT, and it was $361 for a volunteer fire department. I understand that is not relevant to the fee in Florida, but it is a matter of context for some who are paying much higher fees outside of the Villages. A volunteer fire department doesn't have paid employees and still it's more than the fee in The Villages.

[Bill14564]

Well, the BoCC proved me wrong! The proposed budget, available from the minutes of the recent working group, shows the property tax remaining the same as this year PLUS the MSTU for TVPSDDD PLUS the increased MSBU. My effective tax rate will be going up, even in an election year!

...

I need to spend time calculating what my effective property tax increase is going to be.

If I have misstated something above or appear to be misunderstanding anything, please let me know.


EDIT: It seems there will be a POA meeting tonight where the County Administrator will discuss the 24-25 budget. He will not be able to talk about the TVPSDDD budget but he SHOULD be able to explain why ALS Readiness in 24-25 will cost more than 50% of what ALL fire protection plus ALS cost in 23-24 AND why fire protection costs were reduced by $16M yet property tax rates were not able to be decreased below the rollback rate.

Still checking the math and really need the 2024 TRIM to be completely accurate but it looks like:
- My payment for fire protection (including ambulance) will increase 17%
- My payment for non-fire protection will increase 10%
- My overall effective property tax rate will be 13% above the rollback rate.

So for me, a 13% tax increase will be passed off as, "a net change of -.2728 mills (5.26% reduction) from FY 23/24 to FY 24/25."

This will be on my mind in August (corrected this per post below).

[kansasr]

Still checking the math and really need the 2024 TRIM to be completely accurate but it looks like:
- My payment for fire protection (including ambulance) will increase 17%
- My payment for non-fire protection will increase 10%
- My overall effective property tax rate will be 13% above the rollback rate.

So for me, a 13% tax increase will be passed off as, "a net change of -.2728 mills (5.26% reduction) from FY 23/24 to FY 24/25."

This will be on my mind in October.

It needs to be on your mind when you're voting for county commissioners in the August primary.

[Shipping up to Boston]

It needs to be on your mind when you're voting for county commissioners in the August primary.

Hmmmm

[Two Bills]

I often see the big fire trucks responding to calls and I wonder why such a big truck is going out? Is there some huge building on fire? Or is it something that requires so many supplies or people that can only be housed in a huge fire truck?

I wonder if they have smaller trucks they can send out, smaller trucks might be more agile and a lot more economical.

If the crew came in a smaller truck and there was another emergency calling for the bigger engine, the crew would have to return to the station, wasting what could be precious minutes, to change vehicles.

[Pairadocs]

I'm amused at people's misdirected irritation with SS and pensions. If you work for a living you pay a TAX on every paycheck- that TAX is called Social Security. Over your working life you pay in Much More than you collect in retirement. Now, as for pensions. Pensions are offered by employers to make their jobs more attractive to workers and as an incentive to stay at that job long term. Most pensions are self-funded (from My Pay Check), as well as an employers contributions over time.

In my particular case, my Social Security and Pension combined provide me with less than Half of what I was paid while working. I just realized I'm wasting my time explaining what should be common sense to someone addicted to criticizing people, and in this case criticizing people living on money that They Earned- who, like everyone else, including the criticizer, want the most value for their money.

So many people are just rude, crude, and.or completely self-absorbed. It's an unfortunate part of "human nature". Many, certainly not all, become even more critical, unaware, or even down right nasty, as they continue to age. Why ? Who knows ? My parents always said, "it doesn't cost one cent more to say something nice or give a compliment, than to say something cruel, nasty, or self-serving. Personally, I think the whole specter of internet "communication" has done much to enrich our culture, but has also really encouraged the dark side of the personality of so many... wishing people to "die", to commit suicide, some just showing envy, some showing such a huge lack of understanding of others.... it goes on an on. To not understand that many folks have only the income from S.S., and THANK YOU for pointing out that S.S. simply money people EARNED that was forcefully taken from them with the promise to "give it back later when you are retired". In many ways, it's a means of telling people they are not capable of saving and investing for their own future, so, for a "fee", the government will do this for them. The thinking there is; many people are not capable, or motivated, to save for their own future, so it's necessary to make saving mandatory. Just not necessary to make disparaging remarks about people who are now struggling financially. And thank you for pointing out a "pension" (in most cases) is also money people earn but chose not to take in the hope that it will multiply to a greater amount in the future.

[Normal]

It needs to be on your mind when you're voting for county commissioners in the August primary.

Yes, there is a “meet the candidate” meeting tomorrow at Everglades Recreation at 7PM.

[Shipping up to Boston]

Yes, there is a “meet the candidate” meeting tomorrow at Everglades Recreation at 7PM.

Up north. Will you be attending? Maybe report out...attendance, dialogue etc

[Normal]

Up north. Will you be attending? Maybe report out...attendance, dialogue etc

Yep, no problem

[kansasr]

Up north. Will you be attending? Maybe report out...attendance, dialogue etc

The meeting on the 16th at 7 pm at Laurel Manor will feature Bradley Arnold and the 24-25 budget....another opportunity to get questions answered about the new fire levy.

[LeRoySmith]

Over your working life you pay in Much More than you collect in retirement.

Most pensions are self-funded (from My Pay Check), as well as an employers contributions over time.

A couple of points I think you misspoke.

Statistically most of us get back more than we pay in. That said if we saved just our half of the ss contribution (6%) and invested it we would end up with 2 to 3 times what we typically collect.

My pension was fully funded by my employer.

My 401 was partially matched by my employer but the vast majority was my sole contribution.

It's pretty rare to have both a pension and matching 401, I was lucky. In today's employment world a traditional pension is all but gone. I worry for future workers. I'm happy to be able to start my family with a good headstart.

[Shipping up to Boston]

A couple of points I think you misspoke.

Statistically most of us get back more than we pay in. That said if we saved just our half of the ss contribution (6%) and invested it we would end up with 2 to 3 times what we typically collect.

My pension was fully funded by my employer.

My 401 was partially matched by my employer but the vast majority was my sole contribution.

It's pretty rare to have both a pension and matching 401, I was lucky. In today's employment world a traditional pension is all but gone. I worry for future workers. I'm happy to be able to start my family with a good headstart.

Most....is the keyword here
In my world, most have either employer or state/municipal funded pensions....invest in 401K or Roth and additionally, own real estate (rental properties). The latter acting as its own retirement cushion. But those decisions were made years ago with the benefit of foresight....knowing /fearing a bubble burst at some point in our lifetime. SS was always looked at as the slush fund (golf, eating out, road trips etc). A lot of luck and being at the right place at the right time....and being an active participant...not a spectator was the key. Easier path back then than it is now!

[LeRoySmith]

Most....is the keyword here
In my world, most have either employer or state/municipal funded pensions....invest in 401K or Roth and additionally, own real estate (rental properties). The latter acting as its own retirement cushion. But those decisions were made years ago with the benefit of foresight....knowing /fearing a bubble burst at some point in our lifetime. SS was always looked at as the slush fund (golf, eating out, road trips etc). A lot of luck and being at the right place at the right time....and being an active participant...not a spectator was the key. Easier path back then than it is now!

When ROTH came around I wish they'd have explained them a little better/different. It was put to us that your tax situation at the time vs when you withdraw was the primary consideration for traditional vs ROTH. Looking back I wish someone would have asked me if I'd rather pay tax on the seed or the harvest. The tax rate means nothing when you add in years of compound earnings. I'd happily go back and pay tax at the time of earning vs paying it on all these years of growth. Still a pretty sweet deal.

[Shipping up to Boston]

When ROTH came around I wish they'd have explained them a little better/different. It was put to us that your tax situation at the time vs when you withdraw was the primary consideration for traditional vs ROTH. Looking back I wish someone would have asked me if I'd rather pay tax on the seed or the harvest. The tax rate means nothing when you add in years of compound earnings. I'd happily go back and pay tax at the time of earning vs paying it on all these years of growth. Still a pretty sweet deal.

We always yielded to our more knowledgeable elders at the time...institutional knowledge for lack of a better term

[Shipping up to Boston]

Yes, there is a “meet the candidate” meeting tomorrow at Everglades Recreation at 7PM.

This is the video of the ‘Candidates Meeting’ held on 7/18 ....hopefully informative to Sumter residents....


https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DMnuSkdyb9RM&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiT6qv_9_uHAxWLGFkFHScPKdEQFnoECAcQAg&usg=AOvVaw2_sfS8eZDqgYplVKAzEkct

[CoachKandSportsguy]

When ROTH came around I wish they'd have explained them a little better/different. It was put to us that your tax situation at the time vs when you withdraw was the primary consideration for traditional vs ROTH. Looking back I wish someone would have asked me if I'd rather pay tax on the seed or the harvest. The tax rate means nothing when you add in years of compound earnings. I'd happily go back and pay tax at the time of earning vs paying it on all these years of growth. Still a pretty sweet deal.

Sometimes, our lack of comprehension is clouded by the uncertainty of the future. The future is always uncertain. The concept of retirement and playing a villages camper with a bazillion activities was unimaginable to me even up to as little as 5 years ago, even after we bought the house and we were still working.

At one point in my life because i worked in a dangerous industry and knew college classmates who had perished, I didn't think i would live past 30 years old if i continued

The battle for your money is constant:
1) the government taking taxes
2) the investment industry always hawking future spending requiring millions, hoping for investment dollars starting at birth (college funds, then downpayment funds, then retirement funds)
3) the leisure and entertainment industries wanting you to spend money today, especially on credit.

All that while trying to keep your job and trying to get promoted or improve your income.

I have met people who were forced to retire and had no idea what to do or where to live.

401K / IRA for the successful is fine on top of SS or other pension. If you don't need the extra money, just keep on investing it for income in a taxable account. You never know when you will need the money to continue to live independently.

good luck. . we couldn't invest in a ROTH due to income limitations as well as employer offerings were limited for 401ks. NTW, my mom at 97 has exhausted her IRA moneys, so now all income is essentially tax free . . .

[DrHitch]

And we have defrib stations everywhere.

I spoke directly to the person at the CDD responsible for managing the network of AEDs

There are over 900 AEDs in The Villages that are maintained through a network of volunteers and experts.

SO WHEN YOU CALL 911
that network is notified and a local person will unlock your nearby AED and bring it to your house .... Possibly even before the ambulance arrives.