2020 Trim Notice Question
 

Received our first notice a few days ago called the Taxing Authority who was able to answer most questions but still have one.

We are being billed $ 474.82. Lady I spoke to said this was from Villages but had no idea what this is for.

Can someone please explain. Thanks.

Was considering paying off the bond that has 15 years to go but thinking we should spend another year or two here to make sure this is our permanent home in the Villages before doing so.

Can you post a picture of your bill? Might help an “expert” determine the purpose of the charge.

Charge
 

Yearly maintenance.

Of what?

It sounds like the annual maintenance fee, and should be in the non-ad-valorem section of the bill. The bond paid to build the roads, utilities, and other infrastructure. But, those items need to be maintained. So, basically, the annual maintenance fee is the cost to maintain the infrastructure. Not to be confused with amenities.

Yes it is in the ad-valorem section of the bill. So this is the cost of paying for say the resurfacing of Morse Blvd.

thanks for your help. so much to learn.

More likely the interior roads, Morse Blvd is a county road.

I think all roads except villa roads are county roads? Villa streets are private, i think.

Well, for the line that shows the $474.82, tell us what is says in the column labeled Taxing Authority (on front) or Levying Authority (on back). With this info, we can help.

For levying authority just says "maintenance"

For top line says Villages Fire MSBU, second line District 7 and under it bond and maintenance

As mentioned in one of the replies, it is the CDD maintenance fee. It is for the maintenance of the common areas, etc. I usually just call it the "flower bill". It pays for the new flowers in the roundabouts (along with lots of other things). Goldwingnut has a excellent video where he discusses this as well as other topics. There is a one day Villages class where many of these issues are discussed. It is worth attending.

Goldwingnut does an excellent job of explaining maintenance in this video: Maintenance Assessment and The Villages 6-19-19 Construction Update - YouTube
From my own experience, I can assure you that watching it only once is not enough. You will need to watch it more than once to fully understand.

Thank you so much, Goldwingnut is an outstanding source of info.

After the virus decides to go away plan to go to these classes on how the villages function. Thanks so much for the info

I think that we all find out that there are a few additional costs that we didn't know to ask about when we were still looking at TV

The place is beautiful...well maintained...yeah it's not cheap living here, but you get what you pay for