[justjim]

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).

[natjos]

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?

[JoMar]

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.

[Goldwingnut]

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.

[graciegirl]

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

[Goldwingnut]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

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.

[bob47]

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.

[jet10s]

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

[Chatbrat]

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

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by jet10s

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

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.

[billethkid]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

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!

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by jet10s

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

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

[CWGUY]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

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

[Marathon Man]

Originally Posted by jet10s

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

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

[thelegges]

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