[Goldwingnut]

Originally Posted by stebooo

There are listed 64 different meetings.64!!!!! Why this many. I would like to suggest that it may involve bad budgeting, requirements and or sensible capabilities. It one can honestly justify a budget item correctly it shouldn't be a problem. When one is not being honest the entire dynamic is crushed. It's a well known fact and I can verify personally in my past is the govt sector had a mentality that if I don't use what's in my budget this year I will never get it back. To that end I need to find a home for this $$$ never mind if it's correct just spend it and the best goes on.

This is in the mind of every tax payer. Fix that and you'll have a different attitude. Otherwise the same outcome will prevail thanks for pointing out the insane schedule. It's like we're worn out with meetings for people who can't make a good honest decisions.

You're pretty judgmental of a system for someone who doesn't understand the government of this community. I would suggest that you attend the Resident Academy and learn about the CDDs that make up this community. I can assure you, the government budgeting process is much different than a normal city or county and most assuredly a vastly different mindset than what prevails at the state and federal levels. The Supervisors in the 16 CDDs are very much closer to the source and spending of the collected funds than almost anywhere else.

[Marathon Man]

Originally Posted by J1ceasar

there is virtually NO expenses involved with these meeting.. the rooms are there , just the cost to advertise them and its a TINY percent of the anual budget...

Are you talking about meetings in The Villages, or meetings where you live? We residents of TV will worry about this, thank will very much.

[Sbrothnj]

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%.

Im sorry, but if you are so unhappy with the way TV is being developed, my not just move to someplace that will make you happier? Seems "HE" has already offered to accept 40% add'l burden for increased impact. And dont lose track of all the POSITIVE impact this whole project has made on Central Florida in general in growth and jobs. If you would prefer small businesses and large projects like the hospital go to Marion or Lake, then I guess that is your preference. Wildwood has just approved continue development for the next 20 yrs, so i guess they see huge benefit to all this growth. I appreciate the growth and conveniences and amenities that come with TV expansion. Disney is probably the only other entity/visionary that has had this kind of local and broader impact on Florida, followed decades before, by Air Conditioning which has allowed for substantial growth. Perhaps you think all this is not a good thing, or you begrudge the fortune, earnestly gained, by an exceptionally talented and hardworking family who brought us the second fastest growing MSA in the country, and the lead retirement community perhaps anywhere. I dont get why people live here and yet grouse so much about "the Developer". And do you object as much to all the lobbyists in DC? Or just those who lobby for the Villages? Do you not think they had a hand in getting the Turnpike bridges in motion?

[Goldwingnut]

Please don't forget that the preliminary budget meeting for the Amenity and Project Wide budgets are tomorrow at 2:00 PM at the Savannah Rec Center. Resident input in highly appreciated and desired.

One last thought to share, just because someone comes to the meeting and suggest something doesn't mean it will happen. The Supervisors have a pretty good handle on not only the budget, but also what are realistic expectations that can be provided with that budget. We cannot cater to ever special interest or resident want. Some things may be a good idea but may take some planning to make happen or may not happen for a year or more depending on cost, need, and other priorities, and sometimes not at all.

The budget process involves much more than pickleballs and swimming pool, there are many things that have to happen in our community that most do not realize and that are paid for through these budgets.

The time for your input is NOW and the next 2 months, NOT September when the budget goes up for its final approval.

[dtennent]

Many thanks to Gold Wing Nut for participating in the local governing body. Having served on as a Town Supervisor (elected position) for a rural town in upstate NY, I really appreciate the time and effort it takes to serve. (My wife told me that if she knew what I was getting into after retirement she would have told me to work at my job where I made 20 times the salary.) Unfortunately, understanding the budget in fine detail takes a lot of time and effort. Not surprisingly, people (taxpayers) only see the bottom line.

To everyone who is involved with our governing bodies - Besides asking people to attend budget meetings where they don't understand the details around the budget requests, how do you communicate the need in enough detail to justify the increase in taxes (the bottom line)? I realize what I am asking is not an easy task but it is the task we have given you with your election to our current position.

[Goldwingnut]

Originally Posted by dtennent

Many thanks to Gold Wing Nut for participating in the local governing body. Having served on as a Town Supervisor (elected position) for a rural town in upstate NY, I really appreciate the time and effort it takes to serve. (My wife told me that if she knew what I was getting into after retirement she would have told me to work at my job where I made 20 times the salary.) Unfortunately, understanding the budget in fine detail takes a lot of time and effort. Not surprisingly, people (taxpayers) only see the bottom line.

To everyone who is involved with our governing bodies - Besides asking people to attend budget meetings where they don't understand the details around the budget requests, how do you communicate the need in enough detail to justify the increase in taxes (the bottom line)? I realize what I am asking is not an easy task but it is the task we have given you with your election to our current position.

You're right, it is a pretty low paying job for the hours required.

The easy one is the Amenity Fee, we cannot raise it, we are limited to the CPI adjustment allowed in the contracts, so we have to live within that budget amount and prioritize the maintenance, operating costs, and needs/wants of the residents. The residents are very well protected for the costs hitting them and any increase.

The CDDs do not levy any taxes, we could under FS190 but we don't, instead we have a maintenance assessment that is based on a specific equation for assessable acreage. The amount charged annually will depend on the maintenance needs of the CDD and PWF contribution. We also try to keep putting money aside for upcoming maintenance and be financially ready for the costs when they come (unlike Sumter County 2 years ago). For the last 6 years most CDDs (between 5 and 13) have seen basically no increase. For some of the CDDs with lesser capital reserves this trend is not sustainable and some increases are forthcoming. The good thing is that the CDD budgets are very basic and easy to understand so the average resident, if they attend the budget meetings, can quickly grasp where the money is going and what the CDD needs are.

The PWF (Project Wide Fund) covers most of the maintenance costs south of CR466, hence the reason a significant portion of the CDD's budget goes to fund it. The CDDs could each do the maintenance themselves, but the costs would be higher, and consistency could be sacrificed. There are a lot of maintenance items done each year that move from CDD to CDD, like fence replacements. Without the PWF the budgets of the individual CDDs would fluctuate greatly to cover these maintenance costs, with the PWF everybody pays a little each year, the costs are spread out, and the budgets are more stable. Some CDDs are quick to complain about the contribution amount to the PWF but completely ignore that most of their maintenance costs in covered by these same funds, they always fail to mention what they get in return.

Unlike other government bodies (Sumter County BOCC, Washington, etc.) the CDD Supervisors are all recipients of ANY increase in rates they authorize, just like the rest of the residents. We're not taxing "the other guy", we're taxing ourselves.

[dtennent]

Originally Posted by Goldwingnut

You're right, it is a pretty low paying job for the hours required.

The easy one is the Amenity Fee, we cannot raise it, we are limited to the CPI adjustment allowed in the contracts, so we have to live within that budget amount and prioritize the maintenance, operating costs, and needs/wants of the residents. The residents are very well protected for the costs hitting them and any increase.

The CDDs do not levy any taxes, we could under FS190 but we don't, instead we have a maintenance assessment that is based on a specific equation for assessable acreage. The amount charged annually will depend on the maintenance needs of the CDD and PWF contribution. We also try to keep putting money aside for upcoming maintenance and be financially ready for the costs when they come (unlike Sumter County 2 years ago). For the last 6 years most CDDs (between 5 and 13) have seen basically no increase. For some of the CDDs with lesser capital reserves this trend is not sustainable and some increases are forthcoming. The good thing is that the CDD budgets are very basic and easy to understand so the average resident, if they attend the budget meetings, can quickly grasp where the money is going and what the CDD needs are.

The PWF (Project Wide Fund) covers most of the maintenance costs south of CR466, hence the reason a significant portion of the CDD's budget goes to fund it. The CDDs could each do the maintenance themselves, but the costs would be higher, and consistency could be sacrificed. There are a lot of maintenance items done each year that move from CDD to CDD, like fence replacements. Without the PWF the budgets of the individual CDDs would fluctuate greatly to cover these maintenance costs, with the PWF everybody pays a little each year, the costs are spread out, and the budgets are more stable. Some CDDs are quick to complain about the contribution amount to the PWF but completely ignore that most of their maintenance costs in covered by these same funds, they always fail to mention what they get in return.

Unlike other government bodies (Sumter County BOCC, Washington, etc.) the CDD Supervisors are all recipients of ANY increase in rates they authorize, just like the rest of the residents. We're not taxing "the other guy", we're taxing ourselves.

Thanks for your help. Just wish our County Commissioners would offer the same level of interactions.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by dtennent

Thanks for your help. Just wish our County Commissioners would offer the same level of interactions.

There are county meetings.