Who governs The Villages?
 

I want just the facts as Joe Friday would say and as suggested by Ms. Tutt. So, who runs/controls The Villages? I know that The Villages is a wonderful place with great people. The developer started the community and continues to build new houses, recreation centers, golf courses and other amenities. The Developer also manages the commercial CDDs by appointing associates to the board of supervisors for these CDDs. All residential CDDs will eventually be governed by elected district supervisors. And then there are inter-local district agreements that must be followed that allow someone to control all? Are all CDDs created equal? Who is in charge and where does the buck stop?

It has become apparent to me in comments made by many in the thread “Janet Tutt doesn’t like us?” that there is a general lack of understanding of the organizational structure and who has the final say. Let’s use Janet Tutt as an example. Some say “Managing day-to-day affairs for the developer is her job” while others say “Janet Tutt does not work for the Developer”. I am confused. The Village leadership structure should be public knowledge.

Many people have suggested that the developer runs TV as a personal business as is suggested by the IRS in the Bond case. Our Village attorneys and others claim that The Villages are operated under CDD rules that allow elected and or appointed officials to govern with very little control by the developer. Please go to the districtgov web site to read the various descriptions of governance in IRS updates.

The operational structure chart for The Villages can be found on the districtgov web.

Village Community Development Districts

It’s as clear as mud to me after looking at this chart!

When talking to some Villages employees or in a welcome orientation, people tend to beat around the bush as to who is in ultimate control. They may not know.

I am trying to understand what form of governmental structure we do have in The Villages and who is in control. It looks like CDDs plus something else. Some might say don’t ask as everything is perfect. I say enquiring minds need to know to help stop the misinformation and rumors. If the developer doesn’t control The Villages then stop saying the developer does and vice versa.

Can anyone point to official documents that explain the governance of The Villages and who then controls the same?

It is a CDD. And it works better than most "usual" ways of doing things as anyone can see.

Please don't try to change it.

It is far bigger and more smoothly run than Urbana, Ohio.

My advice to you on your first post a couple of months ago where you wanted to start a movement for golf cart seat belts before you even owned a golf cart was wait and see. I have nothing against seat belts, but I do with unneeded rules and enforcing agencies.

I still say wait and see about how things are done here. It is amazingly run. I suspect that The Morse Family runs it. That is o.k. with me.

If it ain't broke. Please don't fix it.

I am not asking or wanting to change a thing in The Villages! Where are the facts! Please don't give me personal views.

I am trying to stop rumors and misinformation from being spread.

you do need to remember the most important thing.....the villages is a subdivision, not a city or even a town. It is a development.

It is run by the developer.

kstew43 says "you do need to remember the most important thing.....the villages is a subdivision, not a city or even a town. It is a development. It is run by the developer."

The OP just wants the FACTS and something to substantiate that, not opinion.
So where are your facts?


see below

This is what I found at The Villages Village Community Development Districts website.

"A Community Development District is a public non-profit unit of local government with the special purpose of providing the services described above. As a unit of local government, the District is subject to many of the same State Statutes that regulate cities and counties; of particular interest are those statutes related to ethics in government for the elected Board of Supervisors, Government in the Sunshine, a cornerstone of local government in the State of Florida which requires that decisions made by any governmental agency be done at a public meeting; the public records law, which means the records of the District are open for review by any citizen; the auditing requirements in which annually the accounting records of the District are audited by an independent certified public accountant and the results of such audit are provided to the State Controller and Auditor General; competitive bidding requirements for construction and maintenance contracts, and various other statutory provisions that protect the interest of the public."
VCDD Your Community District

describing district 3, which is north of SR 466.

Now that you are generally familiar with the District concept, let's describe the election process and the Board of Supervisors who oversee the activities of the District. Initially, the Board of Supervisors, consisting of five, are elected based upon land ownership. The legislature, in creating Chapter 190, recognized that in order to maintain continuity of the facilities provided to the newly developing community, that the developer, who then owns the majority of the land should be granted the right to substantially complete the project as envisioned by the various land use and zoning approvals that were obtained as part of the development review process. However, the legislature also recognized that at the time prescribed by statute, control should begin a process of transition to the residents. Therefore, at the election in 2000, three Supervisors of the five were elected by landowner vote (one vote per lot owned and one vote per acre owned). The same process occurred in 2002. In 2004 one supervisor was elected by landowners and two supervisors were elected by "qualified electors" (registered voters) residing in CDD No. 3. From that point forward, all elections will be qualified based elections. This election conversion format ensures that the residents ultimately control the level of service provided to the infrastructure facilities that the District maintains."
Village Community Development Districts

Similarly for District 1
The legislature also recognized that at the time prescribed by statute, control should begin a process of transition to the residents. Since 2000, all supervisors in District No. 1 have been elected by 'qualified electors' (registered voters) residing in the District. They are elected on a non-partisan basis on the general election ballot.
Village Community Development Districts

and similarly for District 2
Since 2004, all five supervisors in District No. 2 have been elected by "qualified electors" (registered voters) residing in the District. They are elected on a non-partisan basis on the general election ballot.
Village Community Development Districts

Ultimately district 4 and other residential districts will be resident controlled
" However, the legislature also recognized that at the time prescribed by statute, control should transition to the residents. Therefore, at the election held in 2006, one supervisor was elected by a landowner vote (one vote per lot owned and/or one vote per acre owned). In addition, two supervisors were elected by "qualified electors" (registered voters) residing in CDD No. 4. From this point forward, all elections in District 4 will be qualified based elections. This election conversion format ensures that the residents ultimately control the level of service provided to the infrastructure facilities that the District maintains."
Village Community Development Districts

and similarly for all CDD's
" This election conversion format ensures that the residents ultimately control the level of service provided to the infrastructure facilities that the District maintains."
Village Community Development Districts


Now for the commercial centers
Village Center CDD
"Maintenance of the infrastructure is provided through an annual assessment to property owners based upon square footage of properties benefited. The assessment programs are managed through the Village Center District Accounting Department, and may be collected on the Lake County tax bill, by agreement with the Lake County Tax Collector, utilizing the uniform method of assessment adopted by the Board of Supervisors.

Governance of the Village Center Community Development District is accomplished by a five member Board of Supervisors, elected biannually, as described in Chapter 190.006, Florida Statutes. Inasmuch as there are no residential properties contained within the boundaries of the Village Center Community Development District, members of the Board of Supervisors will continue to be elected by the landowners of property within the boundaries of the District."
Village Community Development Districts

Sumter Landing CDD

"Maintenance of the infrastructure is provided through an annual assessment to property owners, again based upon acreage benefited. The assessment programs are managed through the Sumter Landing District Accounting Department, and may be collected on the Sumter County tax bill, by agreement with the Sumter County Tax Collector, utilizing the uniform method of assessment adopted by the Board of Supervisors.

Governance of the Sumter Landing Community Development District is accomplished by a five member Board of Supervisors, elected biannually, as described in Chapter 190.006, Florida Statutes. Inasmuch as there are no residential properties contained within the boundaries of the Sumter Landing Community Development District, members of the Board of Supervisors will continue to be elected by the landowners of property within the boundaries of the District."
Village Community Development Districts

:wine: :popcorn:

I think you should rent for some time to get a feel for the villages and how it is run. I have lined here for 10 years and I think that it is the best place in the world

Frankly, I have lived here 15 years this month. I don't know and don't care who's running what. I just want everyone to keep doing whatever they are doing. ;)

Each CDD is a public non-profit unit of local government.

Each CDD is controlled by a 5 member board of supervisors. As each CDD is built out, a process of transition will begin so that the district will eventually be controlled by the residents.

The procedure is spelled out at the Village Community Development Districts website.

"Your community development district"
VCDD Your Community District

Since there are no residents in the Village Center CDD and Sumter Landing CDD, the board of supervisors will be elected by the landowners of property within the boundaries of the District.

Are you sharing???

Sorry, I just finished the wine but here's a beer :p :beer3:

I understand the election process for the districts as described on the Village web site. This document doesn’t describe the relationships between the districts to govern The Villages as one entity. I understand that something called inter-local agreements come into play. Is there one entity that controls or directs all districts? It doesn’t seem that The Villages is a loose association of CDDs. I can’t find anything about these interactions on the web site.

I love my house in the Villages that I get to see from time to time and am happy that my brother purchased a house down the street from me.

I would hope that by having this learning experience/discussion everyone can come away with a better understanding of the governing of The Villages to dispel some of the rumors and misunderstandings that exist today on this site.

Me! I do what I want, when I want, and how long I want!

And all the restaurants to remain delish! I'm with you.

My husband went to a meeting he thought was worthwhile in explaining how things are run. Here is the description:

CDD Orientation
Even if you think it is something that will bore you to tears, you should attend attend the “Introduction to your Special Purpose Local Government” informational program. At this information session, you will learn how the districts operate and learn other important community information about the people, services, and other supporting entities that help make The Villages tick.
Sessions are held every Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at the District Office (3201 Wedgewood Lane), in the Conference Room at the east end of the building next to the Customer Service Center. NOTE: now held in district offices at LSL

The Village Center Community Development District with inter nodal agreements with Sumter Landing CDD and the Brownwood CDD sets policy. Janet Tutt reports to the VCCDD and is responsible for implementing their policies and her organization is also responsible for maintaining the amenities and support we all use. Fire, Community Watch, water treatment, executive golf, landscaping along with the budget, finance, human resources, purchasing, County police interface etc. The District may provide services to the Developer in accord with Florida Law if the developer chooses to use the District. The services provided are billed to the Developer. An example would be maintenance of the commercial properties. The Developer, well, develops. Florida Law provides for the mandatory and measured transition of his residential properties to a CDD which over time becomes managed by the residents. The Developer has no impact on the CDD's once the total transition is made. The CDD's (1-11) have agreements with the VCCDD and through them share their resources which, as previously mentioned, are managed by Ms Tutt. The CDD's have inputs to the VCCDD into the policies established. A current example would be the stripping of the MMPs. The Developer maintains ownership of the Commercial Properties and is responsible for attracting commercial entities, building or outfitting to suit the client. His operation is, as with any Developer, privately owned with a business model designed to insure profit to his business. Part of that model, I'm sure, is to attract businesses that have an interest in our demographic. The resent change to how we are counted is to his advantage as he can now break out the demographics of TV without it being included with other places i.e., Ocala. However, he does not have an obligation to us, he does have an obligation to his business and fortunately, so far, that has always benefited us. I hope this helps.

I suspected that but there are a lot of posters on here that do not understand the organizational structure and point fingers at the Developer when it is the responsibility of the District and vice versa. There are also a lot of baiters/haters on here but, that's life I guess.

Take out the worst, take out the best and then read the rest. LOL

If I understand this correctly, the three commercial CDDs have inter nodal agreements between themselves that sets policy for all of the CDDs in the Villages. However, CDD’s (1-11) have inputs to the VCCDD (the master of the 3 commercial CDDs) into the policies established.

If the above is correct, the VCCDD is then the master CDD for The Villages? I guess I need to go to the master to request that all golf cars be painted the same yellow color for visibility and safety sake.

Where is my rosary?

"A Rose by any other name would smell as sweet"! How can anyone dispute the likelihood that the defacto answer is "The Family Morse"!

Your answer is below.

The Govenator!!

http://cdn.filmschoolrejects.com/ima...Governator.jpg

Who governs The Villages?
I don't feel like reading everything.
Is there a name or names?

I promise not to ask any questions or make any comments.

:1rotfl::1rotfl:

Did you leave it in the former church on the square when you went to a performance the other night.?

Governannce:
Lake, Marion and Sumter County , Wildwood,Ladylake and Fruitland statutes and regulations. (depending on where in the Villages that you live.

Community Development Districts 1-11 under special provisions of the Fla statues. Community Development districts are "run" by elected reps. CDD have no power to make laws or enforce police powers.

This info, combined with some of the longer posts on how the CDD's are run and what their mission is (whether Residential 1-11, or one of the Commercial 3), is actually one of the more complete answers in this thread. One needs to just sit back and understand that the environment in TV is not a cut & dried municipal government model that many/most came from. It's actually a hybrid, with the local municipalities as stated above setting guidelines for things thru ordinances and regulations (and enforcing same), and the CDD's taking care of the "business" of keeping TV infrastructure and systems operating. And, from my experiences, the "inter-local agreements" that are referred to are very similar to "shared services agreements" that many municipalities sign with each other to reduce the overall cost of things they can do for one another more efficiently, or by sharing a single resource (i.e., 2 towns sharing a PD or FD or EMS, or using the same Public Works Dept. to work on both sets of roads or parks). In the end, the only difference I see is that in TV, we don't actually have a single "City Hall" to march on with torches in the nights when we're energized about an issue! Cheers!! :)

Don't be silly Everyone knows who goverens the Villages
 

Thank goodness.

Here is an example of how public meetings are handled.

Multi-Modal Path Discussion Group meeting.
Tues. May 9 at Eisenhower Rec. Center

Village Community Development Districts

OP, my best answer to your question "who is in control" is and it's my final answer: ITS COMPLICATED. I'm not the brightest bulb in the ceiling so Ive got to keep it simple. The Developer is in control of the commercial properties of TV and also the residential until the Districts are complete. The various municipalities are in control of policing activities, streets, building codes, etc. in their juristiction, and the three counties are in control where there is no municipal juristiction.

This,as I said, as simple and complicated as it gets. It all works!

OMG, GG, I can't wait to meet you!

When you do meet GG
 

You're kidding, right?

you did ask a question, and made a comment

Ccd's
 

We all pay two fees.The monthly ameity fee and a yearly assessment on our real estate tax bill.Follow the money.
Who controls each fee?I do not have a good answer.
What are the expenses paid by each fee?I do not have a good answer.
If someone could answer these questions,I can have a start on how the CCD'S operate.

Oh for THE LOVE OF GOD, why stop there?

Every person in a golf cart should have a 5 point harness seat belt, If it is a gas cart everyone in the cart should be wearing fire retardant clothing (including balaclavas and footwear!), all automobiles should be painted the same color yellow, all lawn equipment should be painted the same color yellow, all golfers should wear head protection and safety glasses, everyone should put out orange cones when they are parked, no extension cords should be used unless they have GFCI protected, hearing protection should be mandatory for attending entertainment in the squares and restaurants, there should be salt tablet dispensers and eye wash stations on every corner, all residents should attend a safety meeting at least once a week, condom dispensers should be installed anywhere that more than one person could gather (ie: safety meetings!), everything sharp should be dulled...Please remember; Safety is not supposed to be fun!

Who Governs The Vllages
 

If you read the Front Page story Daily Commercial Saturday May 2nd
it will provide you with all the information you need regarding who governs and controls The Villages Development.