[Goldwingnut]

As we roll into spring the CDDs and other government organizations are entering into budget season. Budgets are begin prepared for the upcoming fiscal year. Here's a brief synopsis of how the process works.

Starting in March the District Staff presents the proposed budgets they've been working on for the last few months to the various boards.

The Boards review these, ask questions, make changes, task the staff with coming up with costs for various project, look for ways to save money, and attempt to avoid increases to the residents.

There is usually 2 or 3 of these meetings for each board, committee, and organization responsible for budgets.

It is during these meetings that resident and taxpayers have thier opportunity to voice their desire and concerns about the budgets for the upcoming year. This is when changes can be and are made!

In early June the preliminary budgets are approved by the boards and any increase notices are sent out. The amount approved at this point is the MAXIMUM budget and cannot be raised, but they can be lowered. One approved, the time for additional resident/taxpayer has ended. State law requires the new budgets be made public for 90 days prior to approval.

In September, the budgets are voted on for final approval and required to be passed BEFORE the start of the new fiscal year on 1 October. It's important to note that at this point the time for discussion and debate over the budget is OVER, the supervisors/commissioners have a legal obligation to approve their organization's budget. This fact was lost on many residents 2 1/2 years ago when the Sumter County BOCCs approved the now infamous 25% tax increase, they weren't being arrogant or not listening to the residents, they were exercising their legally required responsibilities, the time for discussion and changes was over.

Now is the time to let your voice be heard for your CDD, the Amenity budgets, PWF, NSCUDD, and Sumter County, don't wait until September when it is too late!

Your supervisors are doing the best they can, without public input they must make decisions based on their experience and what they see as the community needs and want. I've been a Supervisor and PWAC member for 6+ years, this is my 7th year of doing these budgets and in the over 2 dozen budget meetings I've participated in, there have sadly been a total of 4 residents in attendance and only 1 question ever asked by a resident during the budget process. It would be great to break this streak of poor participation this year.

Below is the meeting schedule for The Villages budget meetings for this year. I and the other Supervisors would love to see lots of public engagement in this process this year.

FY2021‐22 BUDGET CALENDAR

Mar 17
Preliminary Budget Workshop AAC 1:00 pm Savannah Recreation Center

Mar 24
Preliminary Budget Workshop PWAC 2:00 pm Savannah Recreation Center

May 10
Regular Meeting - Budget Review PWAC 8:30 am Savannah Recreation Center

May 12
Regular Meeting - Budget Review AAC 9:00 am Savannah Recreation Center

May 13
Regular Meeting - Budget Review District 13 3:00 pm Everglades Recreation Center

May 17 (Mon) Budget Workshop
District 9 8:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 10 9:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 11 11:00 am Savannah Recreation Center

May 18 (Tue) Budget Workshop
District 5 8:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 6 9:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 7 11:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 8 2:00 pm Savannah Recreation Center

May 19 (Wed) Budget Workshop
District 12 1:30 pm Everglades Recreation Center

May 25 (Tue) Budget Workshop
District 1 8:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 2 9:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 3 11:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 4 2:00 pm Savannah Recreation Center

May 27 (Thu) Budget Workshop
NSCUDD 9:00 am Savannah Recreation Center

Jun 3 (Thu) Regular Meeting - Recommend Approval of Proposed Budget
PWAC 8:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
SLCDD 10:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
BCDD 11:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 9 1:30 pm Savannah Recreation Center
District 10 3:00 pm Savannah Recreation Center

Jun 4 (Fri) Regular Meeting - Approve Proposed Budget
District 5 8:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 6 9:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 8 11:30 am Savannah Recreation Center

Jun 9 (Wed) Regular Meeting - Recommend Approval of Proposed Budget
AAC 9:00 am Savannah Recreation Center

Jun 9 (Wed) Regular Meeting - Approve Proposed Budget
VCCDD 3:30 pm Savannah Recreation Center

Jun 10 (Thu) Regular Meeting - Approve Proposed Budget
District 7 8:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 11 10:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 12 1:30 pm Everglades Recreation Center
District 13 3:00 pm Everglades Recreation Center

Jun 11 (Fri) Regular Meeting - Approve Proposed Budget
District 1 8:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 2 9:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 3 11:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 4 1:30 pm Savannah Recreation Center

Jul 7 (Wed) Regular Meeting - Approve Proposed Budget
NSCUDD 1:30 pm Savannah Recreation Center

Sep 2 (Thu) Regular Meeting - Approve Final Budget Recommendation
PWAC 8:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
SLCDD 10:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
BCDD 11:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 9 1:30 pm Savannah Recreation Center
District 10 3:00 pm Savannah Recreation Center

Sep 3 (Fri) Regular Meeting - Public Hearing to Adopt Final Budget
District 6 9:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 8 11:30 am Savannah Recreation Center

Sep 8 (Wed) Regular Meeting - Approve Final Budget Recommendation
AAC 9:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 5 1:30 pm Savannah Recreation Center
VCCDD 3:30 pm Savannah Recreation Center

Sep 9 (Thu) Regular Meeting - Public Hearing to Adopt Final Budget
District 7 8:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 11 10:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 12 1:30 pm Everglades Recreation Center
District 13 3:00 pm Everglades Recreation Center

Sep 10 (Fri) Regular Meeting - Public Hearing to Adopt Final Budget
District 1 8:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 2 9:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 3 11:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 4 1:30 pm Savannah Recreation Center

[twoplanekid]

I also would encourage more public participation in our District meetings. I am very interested in what Wildwood says on their website about virtual meetings.

Virtual Meeting Information | Wildwood Florida

Maybe the District could have some virtual meetings?

[Northwoods]

Originally Posted by Goldwingnut

As we roll into spring the CDDs and other government organizations are entering into budget season. Budgets are begin prepared for the upcoming fiscal year. Here's a brief synopsis of how the process works.

Starting in March the District Staff presents the proposed budgets they've been working on for the last few months to the various boards.

The Boards review these, ask questions, make changes, task the staff with coming up with costs for various project, look for ways to save money, and attempt to avoid increases to the residents.

There is usually 2 or 3 of these meetings for each board, committee, and organization responsible for budgets.

It is during these meetings that resident and taxpayers have thier opportunity to voice their desire and concerns about the budgets for the upcoming year. This is when changes can be and are made!

In early June the preliminary budgets are approved by the boards and any increase notices are sent out. The amount approved at this point is the MAXIMUM budget and cannot be raised, but they can be lowered. One approved, the time for additional resident/taxpayer has ended. State law requires the new budgets be made public for 90 days prior to approval.

In September, the budgets are voted on for final approval and required to be passed BEFORE the start of the new fiscal year on 1 October. It's important to note that at this point the time for discussion and debate over the budget is OVER, the supervisors/commissioners have a legal obligation to approve their organization's budget. This fact was lost on many residents 2 1/2 years ago when the Sumter County BOCCs approved the now infamous 25% tax increase, they weren't being arrogant or not listening to the residents, they were exercising their legally required responsibilities, the time for discussion and changes was over.

Now is the time to let your voice be heard for your CDD, the Amenity budgets, PWF, NSCUDD, and Sumter County, don't wait until September when it is too late!

Your supervisors are doing the best they can, without public input they must make decisions based on their experience and what they see as the community needs and want. I've been a Supervisor and PWAC member for 6+ years, this is my 7th year of doing these budgets and in the over 2 dozen budget meetings I've participated in, there have sadly been a total of 4 residents in attendance and only 1 question ever asked by a resident during the budget process. It would be great to break this streak of poor participation this year.

Below is the meeting schedule for The Villages budget meetings for this year. I and the other Supervisors would love to see lots of public engagement in this process this year.

FY2021‐22 BUDGET CALENDAR

Mar 17
Preliminary Budget Workshop AAC 1:00 pm Savannah Recreation Center

Mar 24
Preliminary Budget Workshop PWAC 2:00 pm Savannah Recreation Center

May 10
Regular Meeting - Budget Review PWAC 8:30 am Savannah Recreation Center

May 12
Regular Meeting - Budget Review AAC 9:00 am Savannah Recreation Center

May 13
Regular Meeting - Budget Review District 13 3:00 pm Everglades Recreation Center

May 17 (Mon) Budget Workshop
District 9 8:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 10 9:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 11 11:00 am Savannah Recreation Center

May 18 (Tue) Budget Workshop
District 5 8:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 6 9:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 7 11:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 8 2:00 pm Savannah Recreation Center

May 19 (Wed) Budget Workshop
District 12 1:30 pm Everglades Recreation Center

May 25 (Tue) Budget Workshop
District 1 8:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 2 9:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 3 11:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 4 2:00 pm Savannah Recreation Center

May 27 (Thu) Budget Workshop
NSCUDD 9:00 am Savannah Recreation Center

Jun 3 (Thu) Regular Meeting - Recommend Approval of Proposed Budget
PWAC 8:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
SLCDD 10:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
BCDD 11:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 9 1:30 pm Savannah Recreation Center
District 10 3:00 pm Savannah Recreation Center

Jun 4 (Fri) Regular Meeting - Approve Proposed Budget
District 5 8:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 6 9:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 8 11:30 am Savannah Recreation Center

Jun 9 (Wed) Regular Meeting - Recommend Approval of Proposed Budget
AAC 9:00 am Savannah Recreation Center

Jun 9 (Wed) Regular Meeting - Approve Proposed Budget
VCCDD 3:30 pm Savannah Recreation Center

Jun 10 (Thu) Regular Meeting - Approve Proposed Budget
District 7 8:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 11 10:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 12 1:30 pm Everglades Recreation Center
District 13 3:00 pm Everglades Recreation Center

Jun 11 (Fri) Regular Meeting - Approve Proposed Budget
District 1 8:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 2 9:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 3 11:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 4 1:30 pm Savannah Recreation Center

Jul 7 (Wed) Regular Meeting - Approve Proposed Budget
NSCUDD 1:30 pm Savannah Recreation Center

Sep 2 (Thu) Regular Meeting - Approve Final Budget Recommendation
PWAC 8:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
SLCDD 10:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
BCDD 11:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 9 1:30 pm Savannah Recreation Center
District 10 3:00 pm Savannah Recreation Center

Sep 3 (Fri) Regular Meeting - Public Hearing to Adopt Final Budget
District 6 9:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 8 11:30 am Savannah Recreation Center

Sep 8 (Wed) Regular Meeting - Approve Final Budget Recommendation
AAC 9:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 5 1:30 pm Savannah Recreation Center
VCCDD 3:30 pm Savannah Recreation Center

Sep 9 (Thu) Regular Meeting - Public Hearing to Adopt Final Budget
District 7 8:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 11 10:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 12 1:30 pm Everglades Recreation Center
District 13 3:00 pm Everglades Recreation Center

Sep 10 (Fri) Regular Meeting - Public Hearing to Adopt Final Budget
District 1 8:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 2 9:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 3 11:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 4 1:30 pm Savannah Recreation Center

Thank you so much. You are always a wealth of information. And I always appreciate your perspective. Please continue to give us your opinion. You have a lot of experience and I value your input.

[Goldwingnut]

Originally Posted by twoplanekid

I also would encourage more public participation in our District meetings. I am very interested in what Wildwood says on their website about virtual meetings.

Virtual Meeting Information | Wildwood Florida

Maybe the District could have some virtual meetings?

It seems a little hard to justify the expense based on the few residents that actually attend, even discounting the COVID issues there have always been very few residents attending the meetings.

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

Originally Posted by Goldwingnut

As we roll into spring the CDDs and other government organizations are entering into budget season. Budgets are begin prepared for the upcoming fiscal year. Here's a brief synopsis of how the process works.

Starting in March the District Staff presents the proposed budgets they've been working on for the last few months to the various boards.

The Boards review these, ask questions, make changes, task the staff with coming up with costs for various project, look for ways to save money, and attempt to avoid increases to the residents.

There is usually 2 or 3 of these meetings for each board, committee, and organization responsible for budgets.

It is during these meetings that resident and taxpayers have thier opportunity to voice their desire and concerns about the budgets for the upcoming year. This is when changes can be and are made!

In early June the preliminary budgets are approved by the boards and any increase notices are sent out. The amount approved at this point is the MAXIMUM budget and cannot be raised, but they can be lowered. One approved, the time for additional resident/taxpayer has ended. State law requires the new budgets be made public for 90 days prior to approval.

In September, the budgets are voted on for final approval and required to be passed BEFORE the start of the new fiscal year on 1 October. It's important to note that at this point the time for discussion and debate over the budget is OVER, the supervisors/commissioners have a legal obligation to approve their organization's budget. This fact was lost on many residents 2 1/2 years ago when the Sumter County BOCCs approved the now infamous 25% tax increase, they weren't being arrogant or not listening to the residents, they were exercising their legally required responsibilities, the time for discussion and changes was over.

Now is the time to let your voice be heard for your CDD, the Amenity budgets, PWF, NSCUDD, and Sumter County, don't wait until September when it is too late!

Your supervisors are doing the best they can, without public input they must make decisions based on their experience and what they see as the community needs and want. I've been a Supervisor and PWAC member for 6+ years, this is my 7th year of doing these budgets and in the over 2 dozen budget meetings I've participated in, there have sadly been a total of 4 residents in attendance and only 1 question ever asked by a resident during the budget process. It would be great to break this streak of poor participation this year.

Below is the meeting schedule for The Villages budget meetings for this year. I and the other Supervisors would love to see lots of public engagement in this process this year.

FY2021‐22 BUDGET CALENDAR

Mar 17
Preliminary Budget Workshop AAC 1:00 pm Savannah Recreation Center

Mar 24
Preliminary Budget Workshop PWAC 2:00 pm Savannah Recreation Center

May 10
Regular Meeting - Budget Review PWAC 8:30 am Savannah Recreation Center

May 12
Regular Meeting - Budget Review AAC 9:00 am Savannah Recreation Center

May 13
Regular Meeting - Budget Review District 13 3:00 pm Everglades Recreation Center

May 17 (Mon) Budget Workshop
District 9 8:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 10 9:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 11 11:00 am Savannah Recreation Center

May 18 (Tue) Budget Workshop
District 5 8:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 6 9:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 7 11:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 8 2:00 pm Savannah Recreation Center

May 19 (Wed) Budget Workshop
District 12 1:30 pm Everglades Recreation Center

May 25 (Tue) Budget Workshop
District 1 8:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 2 9:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 3 11:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 4 2:00 pm Savannah Recreation Center

May 27 (Thu) Budget Workshop
NSCUDD 9:00 am Savannah Recreation Center

Jun 3 (Thu) Regular Meeting - Recommend Approval of Proposed Budget
PWAC 8:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
SLCDD 10:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
BCDD 11:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 9 1:30 pm Savannah Recreation Center
District 10 3:00 pm Savannah Recreation Center

Jun 4 (Fri) Regular Meeting - Approve Proposed Budget
District 5 8:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 6 9:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 8 11:30 am Savannah Recreation Center

Jun 9 (Wed) Regular Meeting - Recommend Approval of Proposed Budget
AAC 9:00 am Savannah Recreation Center

Jun 9 (Wed) Regular Meeting - Approve Proposed Budget
VCCDD 3:30 pm Savannah Recreation Center

Jun 10 (Thu) Regular Meeting - Approve Proposed Budget
District 7 8:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 11 10:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 12 1:30 pm Everglades Recreation Center
District 13 3:00 pm Everglades Recreation Center

Jun 11 (Fri) Regular Meeting - Approve Proposed Budget
District 1 8:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 2 9:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 3 11:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 4 1:30 pm Savannah Recreation Center

Jul 7 (Wed) Regular Meeting - Approve Proposed Budget
NSCUDD 1:30 pm Savannah Recreation Center

Sep 2 (Thu) Regular Meeting - Approve Final Budget Recommendation
PWAC 8:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
SLCDD 10:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
BCDD 11:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 9 1:30 pm Savannah Recreation Center
District 10 3:00 pm Savannah Recreation Center

Sep 3 (Fri) Regular Meeting - Public Hearing to Adopt Final Budget
District 6 9:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 8 11:30 am Savannah Recreation Center

Sep 8 (Wed) Regular Meeting - Approve Final Budget Recommendation
AAC 9:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 5 1:30 pm Savannah Recreation Center
VCCDD 3:30 pm Savannah Recreation Center

Sep 9 (Thu) Regular Meeting - Public Hearing to Adopt Final Budget
District 7 8:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 11 10:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 12 1:30 pm Everglades Recreation Center
District 13 3:00 pm Everglades Recreation Center

Sep 10 (Fri) Regular Meeting - Public Hearing to Adopt Final Budget
District 1 8:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 2 9:30 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 3 11:00 am Savannah Recreation Center
District 4 1:30 pm Savannah Recreation Center

This is really good information. I, for one, have been negligent in trying to understand the budget process. What with the mess the Sumter County Commission finds itself in, it would be beneficial for residents to avail themselves of the opportunity to be better informed.

[Garywt]

The last thing I have interest in is attending a bunch of meeting. I have so many more important things to do than to sit there day afypter day, night after night. I did not buy a house in The Villages to sit in a meeting that would be like work and that I would need to think and follow along. I did that for 32 years but now I am retired. I am here for the fun.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by G.R.I.T.S.

This is really good information. I, for one, have been negligent in trying to understand the budget process. What with the mess the Sumter County Commission finds itself in, it would be beneficial for residents to avail themselves of the opportunity to be better informed.

Exactly.
If voters would have sat in on County Budget Meetings, they would have learned about up-coming expenditures and the need for tax increases.

[Singerlady]

Originally Posted by Garywt

The last thing I have interest in is attending a bunch of meeting. I have so many more important things to do than to sit there day afypter day, night after night. I did not buy a house in The Villages to sit in a meeting that would be like work and that I would need to think and follow along. I did that for 32 years but now I am retired. I am here for the fun.

Then one should not complain if things don’t go their way, right?

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by Singerlady

Then one should not complain if things don’t go their way, right?

Exactly.


Not Mr. Gar, but I have to laugh at the loudest whiners who never got/get involved until after-the-fact.

[fastboat]

If you can't attend the meetings, take a few minutes to email Estep, Search and Miller and remind them of their campaign promises concerning property taxes, as well as getting the developer to pay more for the cost of infrastructure needed for HIS new expansions and his efforts at an end run around an increase, with his puppet Hage from (T&D) sponsoring a bill in the State Legislature, to cap his increases at only 3%.

[Ndomines]

Budget?
Just curious. Are the Wildwood and Sumter county residents paying taxes on on a zero based line item budget!
If so where is it available for residents to read over?
If its not zero based line item then why?

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by Ndomines

Budget?
Just curious. Are the Wildwood and Sumter county residents paying taxes on on a zero based line item budget!
If so where is it available for residents to read over?
If its not zero based line item then why?

Google is your friend........
Budget Resources | Sumter County, FL - Official Website

[twoplanekid]

Originally Posted by Goldwingnut

It seems a little hard to justify the expense based on the few residents that actually attend, even discounting the COVID issues there have always been very few residents attending the meetings.

I have no idea of the expense except to say that if the much smaller Wildwood government is going in this direction with virtual meetings, maybe we should look at it. Plus, more people can easily see what does take place in the meetings to become more informed which is what we both want. I would assume the meetings would then be placed on YouTube. Everyone could then fast forward to the interesting parts of the meetings. As some of the CDD meetings last only 10 minutes or less, there would be no need to fast forward viewing them.

I will mention it at the NSCUDD meeting today.

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

Originally Posted by fastboat

If you can't attend the meetings, take a few minutes to email Estep, Search and Miller and remind them of their campaign promises concerning property taxes, as well as getting the developer to pay more for the cost of infrastructure needed for HIS new expansions and his efforts at an end run around an increase, with his puppet Hage from (T&D) sponsoring a bill in the State Legislature, to cap his increases at only 3%.

Yes, so many are unhappy with what the Villages has become. I'm amazed that people are still moving here, what with the extremely high taxes, unemployment and cost of living. Lets get someone else in to CHANGE it...

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by fastboat

If you can't attend the meetings, take a few minutes to email Estep, Search and Miller and remind them of their campaign promises concerning property taxes, as well as getting the developer to pay more for the cost of infrastructure needed for HIS new expansions and his efforts at an end run around an increase, with his puppet Hage from (T&D) sponsoring a bill in the State Legislature, to cap his increases at only 3%.

Wrong thread.