Janet Tutt
 

Good afternoon, I confess to absolute confusion as to how the Villages are "governed".
Janet Tutt seems to be in charge. She holds an unelected position as I understand it. To whom is she beholden, or put another way, for whom does she work, signs her pay check.

thanks,
Ron W

Janet's official title is District Manager. But General Manager of the Villages might be more accurate IMHO. Here's a link to the Villages Organization Chart: Village Community Development Districts

We pay her, and I believe she is employed by the vcdd board. Without going into a lot of complicated deails this is how it all shakes down.... Unfortunately, the VCCD board is elected by the property owners in that district and the only property owners in that district is the developer. Sumter Landing district has the identical set up...

If it makes you feel better, figure that she is like the city manager...

Of course, given my opinion of elected officials, I can't see how she could possible do worse.

Elected officials can be voted out of office. Janet Tutt has a lifetime appointment, at the discretion of the developer. You could think of her as "Queen Tutt".

Janet Tutt has appeared at most POA monthly meetings to respond to questions by residents. I never got the impression from her remarks or her demeanor that she was imperious. I seriously doubt that she would continue as District Manager if she wasn't an effective leader. I would not be so quick to condemn her for her support of the developer unless you find serious shortcomings in the way the Villages is managed. It's a very efficient operation and it's no coincidence. So yes, I'm a fan of Janet Tutt.

I think Janet Tutt is one of the most capable executives I have seen. She is articulate, knows the specifics of this government form, and runs an excellent management operation. Give credit where it is due.

She does a great job. Your comment is unwarranted

The OP was not questioning Janet Tutt's performance. However, since it has been brought up, I would like to say the position she holds is not easy. I am fully aware of her position as it relates to the Supervisors, the Developer, and the residents. She has my complete confidence.

For those not familiar with CDD's or HOA's, Bizdoc's comparing her position with a City Manager is on the money.

BTW, I use the term HOA as it is used in Florida statutes not as it is used in reference to the Villages HOA. HOA's in a large community would normally hire a management firm who in turn would appoint a manager with responsibilities similar to Ms. Tutt's.

I witnessed Queen Tutt in person, when asked why and who put up the Berlin wall she replied, I do not know, that impressed me and that will always be the standard I judge her by.

Her name is Janet Tutt.

I did not know that.

I would bet years from now when Janet is retired, she might tell you that the Berlin Wall debacle was a poor decision by the developer and that she wasn't prepared to defend it. So like any good executive (or politician), she denied any knowledge of it. The gate should have been in place from the beginning but this was obviously not her call to make. I don't think we should hold Janet Tutt accountable for decisions that she didn't make. It must have been a learning experience for her because she handled the Colony Blvd traffic issue differently. In that instance she explained that she drafted a letter to the developer for his input.

I think she handles an impossible job well. I think she is capable, fair, responsible to us and to her duties and there is no amount of money in the world that would be enough to do what she does.


NO one is perfect and no plan is perfect but this place is better run than any place I have ever lived.


No one could ever know how big this place would become in the space of just fifteen years. There is no growth of any town similar anywhere. If this was run by the vote of the residents we would still be arguing about curbing or street lights or other minimal issues.


I have never met Janet Tutt, but she is one of my heroines.


I live in fear that she will quit and leave us to some lesser person.