[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by MartinSE

I completely agree. I expect the only reason they stay is so they have something to bitch about. If they went anywhere else it would be perfect and they would be bored.

AND, many do not even live here.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Goldwingnut

Both are owned by the Brownwood CDD (a unit of local government not a private entity - aka the developer) and are included in Exhibit A of the Project Wide Agreement as are most of the public/entertainment areas in both LSL and BW. So, under the terms of the Project Wide Agreement the maintenance will fall to the Project Wide Fund. They are no different than many other structures and facilities in the community owned by all the CDDs that fall under the agreement, the key difference in my mind is that these are purely ornamental and have no functional need or requirement.

Knowing well the current PWF budget and having seen the proposed budget that is still being worked for next fiscal year I'm still on the fence with this "emergency?" budget item. How did they get in this condition so fast? Why are we only just now seeing the problem? How does a real windmill last decades on a farm but just 10 years in the town square? What will be lost if both are just raised and not rebuilt? How many residents have ever noticed they even existed? What are the legal responsibilities for the Project Wide Agreement to keep/replace the feature? These and many more unanswered questions need to be answered.

I would suggest that neither the windmill nor the watertower are amenities or zoning requirements. And so their removal shouldn't require replacement at all. Maybe put in a seating area with tables under a cupula and a misting device at one end. So folks can sit in an open but shaded area, watch the hustle and bustle of the squares from a safe distance, enjoy their take-out from the local restaurants, and cool off on the warmer days.

[Velvet]

Why not just tear down and not replace? They were likely used as a sales gimmick but now all the new homes around have been sold, so what is the need for them. It is like the local residents are asked to pay for advertising.

[Bilyclub]

Originally Posted by MartinSE

Thank you. My feelings.

Go look at any other senior communities around the country, and see what "not doing maintenance" looks like. The fact that The Villages are kept in good repair and updated help our home values stay up. The Villages are attractive and that is a big part of why I moved here.

Maintenance that is paid for by the residents. The support posts are resting directly on the cement piers which is a major design flaw. The windmill is cool but not worth the money to rebuild.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Bilyclub

Maintenance can be tearing down the two structures and planting something there. The windmill is cool but not worth the money to rebuild.

Palms could be planted and then the whiners could bitch why they were not being trimmed.

[dewilson58]

Per CDD Website for Brownwood:

Maintenance of the infrastructure is provided through an annual assessment to commercial property owners based upon square footage of the benefitting properties.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

Per CDD Website for Brownwood:

Maintenance of the infrastructure is provided through an annual assessment to commercial property owners based upon square footage of the benefitting properties.

OMG, actual facts.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

Per CDD Website for Brownwood:

Maintenance of the infrastructure is provided through an annual assessment to commercial property owners based upon square footage of the benefitting properties.

Not sure how that addresses something that isn't maintenance. Demolition and removal of non-functional outbuildings is not "infrastructure" and isn't "maintenance."

[rustyp]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

Per CDD Website for Brownwood:

Maintenance of the infrastructure is provided through an annual assessment to commercial property owners based upon square footage of the benefitting properties.

If this is true and as simple as stated which I am not challenging why are we concerned. It's not our money. Just like Katie Belle's. Suck it up - it's not yours to control. It's so appropriate it involves fake water again.

[MartinSE]

Originally Posted by rustyp

If this is true and as simple as stated which I am not challenging why are we concerned. It's not our money. Just like Katie Belle's. Suck it up - it's not yours to control. It's so appropriate it involves fake water again.

Well, you must be new here - you are asking "why complain"?

[MartinSE]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

Per CDD Website for Brownwood:

Maintenance of the infrastructure is provided through an annual assessment to commercial property owners based upon square footage of the benefitting properties.

I have no idea personally, but I expect you are accurate, and I also expect this will result in another hundred posts explaining why it doesn't matter. ahem...

[rustyp]

Originally Posted by MartinSE

Well, you must be new here - you are asking "why complain"?

Oh please believe me this is not my first rodeo in this town.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by rustyp

If this is true and as simple as stated which I am not challenging why are we concerned. It's not our money. Just like Katie Belle's. Suck it up - it's not yours to control. It's so appropriate it involves fake water again.

Here's the link for all to read:
Village Community Development Districts

It's my understanding the windmill provides drinking water for all residents South of 466c.

[Bilyclub]

The Brownwood CDD did kick in $225,000 into the Project Wide Fund for 2021-2022. Don't know if the $65,000 for the falling down fences, and the $9000 to clean the cowboy came out of the Fund.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by Keefelane66

Oh we're going to pay!
“ The Project Wide Advisory Committee will be asked to consider an emergency budget resolution to fund the demolition and restoration of the windmill and the water tower, which have no useful function and are purely decorative.


The windmill and water tower at Brownwood Paddock Square will have to be torn down and rebuilt at a cost of $225,000.
The amount of the demolition and restoration of the windmill and water tower is estimated at $225,000. The money would come from maintenance assessment fees paid by residents of The Villages living south of County Road 466.”

I am not aware of the need, the proposed work or a reasonable price for the job. Surely we could have one villager climb the structure and carry down the windmill in one hand and the water tower in the other. Taking not more than 10 minutes.

The cost of keeping this place up, is huge. Assuming they will be rebuilt as is, cost of lumber, rot resistant lumber, cost of labor, qualified labor, permits, insurance are all out of sight. Who to call who can rebuild a windmill? Replace parts etc.