[KathyS]

Gene and I are really looking forward to becoming true Villagers. I have finally retired and now I'm just waiting on Gene to do the same! Now that I am retired, I hope to participate more in the TOTV postings.

We were looking over the sample utility bill that was in The Villages current monthly newsletter, and are wondering how typical it is. We were surprised to see how much of the bill was for irrigation. Sample bill (which includes amenities fee) shows about $500 for previous month and $412 for current month (42,270 gallons of water for irrigation). Not being from Florida, this is something new to us. Would you agree this is a typical bill?

Kathy

[golf2140]

Originally Posted by klsomers

Gene and I are really looking forward to becoming true Villagers. I have finally retired and now I'm just waiting on Gene to do the same! Now that I am retired, I hope to participate more in the TOTV postings.

We were looking over the sample utility bill that was in The Villages current monthly newsletter, and are wondering how typical it is. We were surprised to see how much of the bill was for irrigation. Sample bill (which includes amenities fee) shows about $500 for previous month and $412 for current month (42,270 gallons of water for irrigation). Not being from Florida, this is something new to us. Would you agree this is a typical bill?

Kathy

Our total bill was $230.00 last month. Runs in that area all year. Our irrigation was $25.00 I think. ( Designer in Bonita)

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by klsomers

Gene and I are really looking forward to becoming true Villagers. I have finally retired and now I'm just waiting on Gene to do the same! Now that I am retired, I hope to participate more in the TOTV postings.

We were looking over the sample utility bill that was in The Villages current monthly newsletter, and are wondering how typical it is. We were surprised to see how much of the bill was for irrigation. Sample bill (which includes amenities fee) shows about $500 for previous month and $412 for current month (42,270 gallons of water for irrigation). Not being from Florida, this is something new to us. Would you agree this is a typical bill?

Kathy

Hi Kathy!

Is that supposed to be for all utilities and the amenity fee too? Whatever it is it sounds high for utilities for a designer.

[marennorge]

How many minutes do you set your timer for lawn watering for an irrigation bill of $25?

[GeorgeT]

Originally Posted by klsomers

Gene and I are really looking forward to becoming true Villagers. I have finally retired and now I'm just waiting on Gene to do the same! Now that I am retired, I hope to participate more in the TOTV postings.

We were looking over the sample utility bill that was in The Villages current monthly newsletter, and are wondering how typical it is. We were surprised to see how much of the bill was for irrigation. Sample bill (which includes amenities fee) shows about $500 for previous month and $412 for current month (42,270 gallons of water for irrigation). Not being from Florida, this is something new to us. Would you agree this is a typical bill?

Kathy

Hi Kathy,

The CDD bill includes the amenity fee, trash, recycle, potable water and irrigation water. My total bill last month was $217 with $31 being paoable and irrigation water. I have a ranch. This is rainy season so your winter and spring water bill will be more.

[buggyone]

North of 466, we do not get a separate reading and billing amount for potable and irrigation water. We do not use "irrigation" water up here. All of the water is potable. Our rates are actually lower for water than south of 466 for water, too.

[logdog]

Our's was also $230 last month with about $35 in irrigation. Usually it's a little higher with about $50 per month in irrigation. Designer with a corner lot - about 5,000 sq ft.

[John_W]

We just got our first whole month bill and for a courtyard villa it was $206. I think $71 for water, sewage, irrigation and garbage is pretty reasonable.

Our first electric bill was for only 3 weeks and was only $63. We were use to paying $240-$395 in Maryland for a 2200sf house. Here we have about half that, a 1157sf Woodlawn Savannah Series Villa but the masonary construction is very well insulated. They are solid poured walls, not even cider block. Even with 3 sliding glass doors we keep our air on 80 degrees and sometimes we have to turn the ceiling fans off because it's too cool.

The only complaint I have with our home is the garage is too small. I traded my Hyundai Santa Fe in for a Mazda 3 and I can still barely fit the car and golf cart together, and the Santa Fe was not a big SUV. If you're getting a CYV make sure you downsize your car if you don't want to park it in the driveway.

[KathyS]

Thanks for all of your responses. Sounds like the sample bill may have been overstated for the typical homeowner (that's a relief!).

In case you did not see the sample bill, the breakdown was as follows:

Water - $17.91 (5,980 gals)
Irrigation - $158.87 (42,270 gals)
Utility Tax Potable Water 5% - $.89
Sewer - $35.25
Sanitation - $16.92
Amenity Charges - $136.07
RV Rental Space incl. tax - $46.01

Total $411.92

Kathy

[pooh]

Wow, I hadn't seen that. I have about 9000 sq ft of land to water and this month, the bill was $33 for irrigation.
Never, even when we were watering two times a week, when it was allowed, did I even approach the figure in the sample. Not sure what it's based on...goodness.