Amenity fees increase
 

According to another site the amenity fee for a new home or resale is going up October 1 from $145 to $159 a month. That is approximately 10% increase. Assuming this is correct, Any ideas why such a significant increase? For those of us who currently own property in The Villages, our fees go up according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

I also read that. I thought that is applied to District 12. However I live in Lake county and mine increased to 159. Anyone else know more?

As I understand it the amenity fee is set when a home is sold or resold. That then becomes the base from which increases based on the CPI occur.

The deferral rate is (was?) $155 for all areas, this is the maximum residents were to be charged for amenities. When you purchased your home, new or resale, you rate was set to the prevailing rate and then subject to annual increase based on the CPI changes, until you reached the deferral rate ($155) at which point it stopped increasing. Many of the older homes still pay a lower rate ($100-$120) because of this policy based on the last time they were sold, if they were to sell today the rate according to the memo that came out the new owner would pay $159.

Does this mean that the new homes/resales will be $159 + CPI adjust next year? We don't know. And what about the existing deferral rate? Another unanswered question.

At the October PWAC meeting this was discussed but no sensible, reasonable, or logical response was provided by the District Staff, the last word was that the lawyer for SLCDD was to provide a memo to explain this issue.

While I can see that the developer could charge new homes this new prevailing rate, I cannot see how this can be enforced on resales outside of District 12 where they have no ownership in the amenities after the 2016 sale of amenities between CR466 and SR44.

The topic of raising the deferral rate needs to be and is scheduled to be addressed by PWAC and AAC due to the large number of homes that are at or near the deferral rate. With so many homes topping out it is becoming more difficult to balance the amenities budget with rising costs for maintenance and day-to-day operations of the amenities. Without a rise in the deferral rate nearly every home south of CR466 will be at the limit in about 4 years (>60% are there now according to the finance department) and service would have to be cut to maintain a balanced budget. This won't affect the rate you are paying unless you are already at the $155 deferral rate. Those at the deferral rate would see a CPI based increase on their next anniversary date, just like those below the deferral rate.

Taking the original letter that was received at face value, it now appears that the AAC and PWAC actually have little to no control on the rates to be charged residents. It will be interesting to read the forthcoming memo from the lawyers on this topic.

Attached is the letter that was sent out to all CDD Supervisors.

I thought I understood the amenity fee was based on the cost of living index. It has risen. The amount of money paid to those receiving Social Security has increased;

Latest Cost-of-Living Adjustment

Adjustments to the amenities rate are based on Consumer Price Index changes and are adjusted annually. Once you hit the deferral rate you stop seeing any increase. Has noting to do with Social Security adjustments.

An exact quote from my covenents in unit 29 which is in CDD2:

"4.2 Each Owner hereby agrees to pay the Developer, or its designee, a monthly fee or charge ("Amenities Fee") against each Lot for these services described in Paragraph 4.1(a) above, in the amount per month set forth in the Owner's deed. The Amenities Fee set forth is limited to the Owner named therein. In the event the Owner(s) transfer, assign, or in any manner convey their interest in and to the Lot and/or Home, the New Owner(s) shall be obligated to pay the prevalent Amenities Fee that is then in force and effect for New Owners of Lots in the most recent addition or unit of THE VILLAGES OF SUMTER."

"4.3 The monthly Amenities Fee set forth in Paragraph 4.2 above is based on the cost of living for the month of sale as reflected in the Consumer Price Index, U.S. Average of Items and Food, published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. The month of sale shall be the date of the Contract for Purchase of the Lot. There shall be an adjustment in the monthly Amenities Fee in three years and every year subsequent thereto. The adjustment shall be proportional to the percentage increase or decrease in the Index from the date of sale to three years from said date and each subsequent one year period thereafter. Each adjustment shall be in effect for the intervening one year period. Adjustments not used on any adjustment date may be made any time thereafter."

This is pretty clear on how and when the rate is set and how adjustments are made. I'd be surprised if the wording is much different for other existing developed units or CDDs.

i feel that fees are increasing because we have little if any control over how the developer spends our money -- can anyone tell me why Colony Rec Center had to be all refurbished and with expensive new furniture -- so the sales reps can show off this center which is close to 466 -- also -- what the 1 million dollar repairs to the bridge on morse blvd -- I think we have government without representation

TV are the best bang for the $$ anywhere, considering what you get for in all reality very little $$

It has NOTHING to do with upkeep and refurbishment. I can tell you that Colony needed a redo as would anyone. It is a CDD Not a regular municipality. If people find they need to run things and could do it better than it is being done, they can sell their home here, make a profit and move to Ocala or Orlando or Leesburg or Lake Nona.

Never let the inmates run the asylum!

And you have been here for 7 years? Maybe you should start going to the public government meetings.

:oops:

No I can not tell you why. Why not attend the next PWAC meeting and ask them?

Ours amenity fee went up on 1 house but not on other 2. I have no rhyme or reason as to why

The date of the increase depends on the anniversary date of the purchase. If you buy your house in March, you should see the CPI increase in April.

One in April no increase, one in November increase in July this year. last once in December no increase Yet

I always love this comment, I would think that as long as you've been here you'd understand how the CDDs are run and who is on them. It's a very common knowledge gap of most here in The Villages.

A few facts on the Supervisors and other elected officials here in The Villages and running this little asylum.
In Districts 1-9 all 5 supervisors on each board are residents of their respective districts and resident elected.
In District 10 all 5 supervisors are residents of CDD10, 4 are resident elected and 1 is land owner elected. This changes to 5 resident elected on 6 November.
District 12 has 5 land owner elected supervisors, 2 of these will be residents & resident elected on 6 November.
District 11 has 5 land owner elected supervisors and will not have resident elected supervisors until the district has been in existence for 6 years, the other criteria of 250 registered voters has been met.
NSCUDD has 7 resident elected officials all of whom are residents of their respective districts plus one "at large" supervisor.
The PWAC is composed of resident elected supervisors from each of the district 5 through 11 CDD boards and are responsible for both the project wide maintenance and operations as well as the amenities.
The 3 commercial CDDs and the AAC are land owner elected.

So as you can see almost all of the people running this asylum are the inmates.

A more disturbing fact, 34 of 62 of these elected officials are up for reelection on 6 November, of these 34, 25 are running unopposed, only 9 seats are running in competitive races. A very sad level of community involvement for a community with so much talent and people with time on their hands. Is this because these supervisors are doing such a great job? Reading the posts from this and on the "other" website, that does not appear the case. Could it be that the posters have more digital courage than real courage to standup and do something for their community beyond just complaining? The latter is the more likely explanation.

I am one of these inmates that is running this asylum.

And on Nov 6 you will be supported by those of us that appreciate your service.

Yes, it is tied to the CPI. Just so you know, ours went DOWN in 2009. That is the only time that has happened, though, since we moved in in 2004. I hope it doesn't go down again, because that will mean our economy is down. Personally, I prefer a strong economy.:MOJE_whot:

Each CD District elects its representatives from its own district. How about if you run to represent yours?

I think that it may be that these folks are simply too busy hanging out and carping on that " other site " to entertain such a commitment .

Easy, so we can continue to have a first class retirement community. The amenity fee is a bargain for all we have access to.

We live in Marion co, listed our home, bought another one a block away in TV. Advised by agent that ours was going up too.

As it should, by the formula.

I really don't understand why soooo many people who live in and enjoy The Villages amenities, if they pay them, complain about the modest HOA and Maint. Fees they pay. You cannot go anywhere, anywhere and find this lifestyle for the price you are paying. If you feel you can't afford the fees just move. Move somewhere where they don't finish building out, leave the area to the homeowners to take care of, go bankrupt before their obligations to the HOA is fulfilled. I can guarantee you won't find another area as clean, well cared for, as safe and with all you need right at your fingertips. So, please stop making complete fools of yourselves trying to encourage others to join you.

You know we should of all known this would happen as the Villages gets older, even though they're still building the other homes are getting older & the older they get more things that TV take care of gets older too & break down. Amenities will continue to go up no matter what anybody thinks. Personally we're moving, not because of amenities, because of family. Where we are moving to the amenities are $180. a monthe BUT we don't pay for Cable TV or Internet Service & right now I'm paying $160.76 a month so my amenities are only $20. a month. I know everybody has their own ideas about Amenities for one reason or another. Amenities will keep going up whether you think so or not & pre owned home prices will come down also. I don't approve or disapprove of the Amenity increases because eventually I won't be living here. TV is a great place to live but they are just as nice of places to live.

having owned a house in the greater Ft Lauderdale FL area that was managed by an HOA for 22 years I can honestly say that TV form of management is far superior...

I foolishly agreed to sit on my HOA board for two years...a thankless and time demanding commitment due to the numbskulls in the community that are misinformed, never do any research, enjoy creating drama, contribute very little value and just like to complain

I'll take this management approach anytime

:) Nice.... someone that has seen both sides of the coin. :coolsmiley:

The Developer does not spend our amenity fees. The CDD's are the government body that spends maintenance fees. The AAC (north of 466) or the PWAC (south of 466) spends amenity fees. Stop blaming the developer for everything. There are brief explanations of CDDs in the Daily Sun (if you subscribe) or you can attend a free class any Thursday at 10 AM at the District Offices. I see a lot of misinformation here. Let's get accurate in what we post.

I live in The Village of Santo Domingo and my AMENITY FEE has been $155.00 for over a year. It was 135.00 6 years ago. In my opinion it is worth every penny.

Spot on

We saw the first increase in our fee's before the 1st anniversary. We have had 2 increase's and won't have 2nd anniversary until January 2019. But not complaining I honestly feel the fee's are reasonable for what is available for use.

However the PWAC has only an advisory role in making recommendations to the Sumter Landing CDD, which (surprise) is made up solely of developer appointees. So far this has worked ok in that the SLCDD seems to listen to the recommendation of the PWAC. But residents have no direct control over how our amenity fees are actually spent. This is done by a board appointed and controlled by the developer.

I would suggest you re-take the free class since you're clearly unaware of who actually controls what.

I moved to TV from a townhouse in MA that is HOA controlled. My word to God, this is a much nicer system. Plus, it's more economical. I'm staying here.

You are correct on both statements, PWAC is advisory only and SLCDD is controlled by the developer. To date SLCDD has never overridden PWAC on any decision and the resolution that empowers PWAC for amenities oversight includes a clause to require a joint meeting of both if there is a different action taken by SLCDD over the PWAC recommendation. Overriding PWAC is a card they can play only once, after that PWAC becomes useless to them as their scapegoat.

Where are you going?

Fees
 

When you "belong" to a "Structured Community", you will find that you may be surprised, now and then on expenses.
Living here, look around and you will probably find some things you do not like. Your options are this:
1. You can go to the Villages meetings and express your feelings
2. You can sell and move elsewhere
3. You can go fishing or play Pool or Swim or hit the Watering Holes.

Relax, it is what it is. :bigbow:

"So far this has worked ok". Yes it has. And there is every reason to believe that it will continue to do so.