[mjpuleo]

We all live in the villages and we should not start dividing the north from the south as far as who is paying for what -- please let's not make this political, isn't our country divided enough!!!!!! There is no such thing as amenities for the north and south -- we are one community and we all share the same things!!

[Goldwingnut]

Originally Posted by mjpuleo

We all live in the villages and we should not start dividing the north from the south as far as who is paying for what -- please let's not make this political, isn't our country divided enough!!!!!! There is no such thing as amenities for the north and south -- we are one community and we all share the same things!!

I absolutely agree with you, we are ONE community. The division of the PWAC has more to do with the differences in the development areas construction north and south of SR44. It will have no impact on the amenities in either section.

The one thing I could see happening when connectivity is established (very soon now!) is that some of naysayers and fence sitters will see just how incredibly beautiful the new southern areas are and may decide to move there. I would move there myself if it were not for the incredible friends and neighbors I have in my local community.

[Marathon Man]

I absolutely will be at the CDD12 meeting this week to learn all about this. Unlike some, I plan to become informed before forming an opinion. Once that opinion is formed, I may well be giving it to the five supervisors. That is what I have always done.

Goldwing - Will PWAC2 be advising SLCDD, or will there be a second board formed for the south? One of the questions that I have and thought maybe I could get an answer before Thursday.

[kcrazorbackfan]

Originally Posted by Goldwingnut

I absolutely agree with you, we are ONE community. The division of the PWAC has more to do with the differences in the development areas construction north and south of SR44. It will have no impact on the amenities in either section.

The one thing I could see happening when connectivity is established (very soon now!) is that some of naysayers and fence sitters will see just how incredibly beautiful the new southern areas are and may decide to move there. I would move there myself if it were not for the incredible friends and neighbors I have in my local community.

It is really beautiful down here; we moved from St. James to Bradford in September. I enjoy the drive to work and golf mornings from Bradford to points north in the cart.

[M2inOR]

To those who write that they were told this, or promised that, all that is actually owed to you is what is in the sales contract you agreed to when you purchased and closed on your home.

I've been here for a year, and have been reading posts and comments here on the Forums. It is quite surprising to see so many who don't understand where they are living or what is guaranteed.

And thanks to Gold Wing Nut for his helpful posts and YouTube videos.

PS I realized that the Water Lily Bridge, and Magnolia Plaza would eventually be completed. When we purchased, Edna's and the Pitch&Putt had just opened, Lowlands and Everglades were under construction, Warm Springs was still mostly 2 lanes, Chitty Chatty was only a swamp, 1/2 of Marsh Bend was still sand and grazing land, DeLuna was a dream, and I could still drive on a bumpy, gravel Marsh Bend Trail all the way to 301.

Amazing progress in little more than 18 months.

[Goldwingnut]

Originally Posted by Marathon Man

I absolutely will be at the CDD12 meeting this week to learn all about this. Unlike some, I plan to become informed before forming an opinion. Once that opinion is formed, I may well be giving it to the five supervisors. That is what I have always done.

Goldwing - Will PWAC2 be advising SLCDD, or will there be a second board formed for the south? One of the questions that I have and thought maybe I could get an answer before Thursday.

The current plan is for SLCDD to be the parent board over PWAC2. It's anticipated that at some point in the (near?) future that another commercial district (south of Monarch Grove?) will be formed, and the responsibilities be passed to them for the areas covered by PWAC2.

Before the haters and uninformed start their "commercial district doesn't pay it fair share" mantra again one needs to consider the possibilities of vesting the authority to sign the checks in the other possible parties. If vested in one of the numbered CDDs, all the other numbered CDDs will be constantly checking the numbers in search of inequities and self-favoritism by the "controlling" numbered CDD. Pitting CDD against CDD, neighbor against neighbor. Don't say it won't happen because it already is, this is exactly the situation that fuels the haters and uninformed argument over the assessable acreage calculation currently used to determine the cost allocations. (I'll not delve into this any deeper, it would fill too many pages).

Keeping the check signing authority in the hands of the CDD with the least possible to gain has great value in keeping the community peace.

Since its inception, all of PWAC's decisions and directions to SLCDD have always been accepted, endorsed, and acted upon by the SLCDD. This includes both the areas of the Project Wide Agreement/Fund as well as ALL actions related to Amenities. It is highly unlikely that they ever will take actions contrary to PWAC (or PWAC2) direction, they don't want to. The first-time action is taken contrary to PWAC (PWAC2) direction, PWAC is rendered impotent and ineffective, putting ALL RESPONSIBILITY ON SLCDD and by proxy on the developer, something neither wants. PWAC gives them plausible deniability, if the actions of PWAC turn out to be wrong, ineffective, or unpopular with the residents they can redirect the angst back to the resident elected representative on PWAC. Without a strong and effective PWAC supporting and representing the residents and providing the direction and guidance to SLCDD the responsibilities would then fall to SLCDD, something neither SLCDD nor the residents would want.

The current system with the PWAC and SLCDD relationship has worked well for all of us and should continue. There are new changes in the works for how these two boards interact. In the past PWAC would hold its meeting and make their decisions and staff would record these. Then 3 to 10 days later, depending on the schedule, the district staff would deliver the information to SLCDD. Last month we (PWAC, SLCDD, and staff) made some changes to this process. PWAC meets on a Monday morning, that same afternoon SLCDD now meets, and instead of staff providing the PWAC information, the PWAC Chairman (me) provides them with the synopsis of all of the PWAC's decisions, discussions, actions, and feedback of the board and residents. This is now a two-way conversation and SLCDD board members are able to ask questions and seek clarifications on PWACs actions. The goals of the changes are twofold, it should foster a closer relationship between the two boards, and should make for clearer and faster communications without the need of 3rd party interpretation and the previous time delays. If additional actions are needed this gives PWAC the opportunity to be able to meet again and not wait a full month, to take action.

I hope this helps to clarify thing a little on this issue. I would not be advocating this move if I didn't believe it was in the best interest of ALL the residents of The Villages.

If you have specific questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me on this forum or at my district email address donald.wiley@districtgov.org

Don Wiley
CDD-10 Supervisor/Chairman
PWAC Chairman

[Marathon Man]

Originally Posted by Goldwingnut

The current plan is for SLCDD to be the parent board over PWAC2. It's anticipated that at some point in the (near?) future that another commercial district (south of Monarch Grove?) will be formed, and the responsibilities be passed to them for the areas covered by PWAC2.


Don Wiley
CDD-10 Supervisor/Chairman
PWAC Chairman

I plan to listen with an open mind.

My gut is telling me that there is a concern that the southern CDD's represent a higher cost that the northern CDD's do not want to share. The talk about how landscaping, etc "is different in the new areas" is driving my gut feeling.

I just don't see a benefit to Southern Oaks residents. Not right now. But, that may change at the meeting.

[Kenswing]

Is there a feel for how many CDD's there will be in the south end once the Developer fills in all the land they have bought? I would think if there is another 4 or 5 CDD's it would make sense to split the PWAC's into two groups.

[queen1214]

Originally Posted by Kenswing

Is there a feel for how many CDD's there will be in the south end once the Developer fills in all the land they have bought? I would think if there is another 4 or 5 CDD's it would make sense to split the PWAC's into two groups.

That's a good question. I would guess the future villages that will be in Leesburg will become District 14. Villages around the planned Lifestyle Center could be District 15. There will definitely be more to follow.

[Marathon Man]

Originally Posted by Kenswing

Is there a feel for how many CDD's there will be in the south end once the Developer fills in all the land they have bought? I would think if there is another 4 or 5 CDD's it would make sense to split the PWAC's into two groups.

I don't disagree with this. However, why do it now rather than after the CDD's are developed. And, after there is a new commercial CDD to act as the financial authority.

What if things get delayed for an extended time, or don't happen at all? Seems to me that using projections to make such an important decision is not the wisest path. What's the hurry?

[Kenswing]

Originally Posted by Marathon Man

I don't disagree with this. However, why do it now rather than after the CDD's are developed. And, after there is a new commercial CDD to act as the financial authority.

What if things get delayed for an extended time, or don't happen at all? Seems to me that using projections to make such an important decision is not the wisest path. What's the hurry?

According to what Don wrote it looks like this isn't going to happen until October 2022. That doesn't seem like such a big hurry. That's probably 5,000 more houses at the rate things are going.

[Goldwingnut]

Originally Posted by Marathon Man

I plan to listen with an open mind.

My gut is telling me that there is a concern that the southern CDD's represent a higher cost that the northern CDD's do not want to share. The talk about how landscaping, etc "is different in the new areas" is driving my gut feeling.

I just don't see a benefit to Southern Oaks residents. Not right now. But, that may change at the meeting.

Good concern and a justified comment. In addition to different landscaping there is more of it to maintain.

For the areas north of SR44 about 92% of the total district acreage is assessable (paying a maintenance fee) were as south of SR44 only 78% of the property is assessable. So south of SR44 there is a higher ratio of green space to maintain, which if maintained in the same manner as north of SR44 would be a significant increase in expense.

This was recognized several years ago, and discussions started between the developer's designers and district staff to address this issue. Some areas, like the Hogeye Sink/preserve, require virtually no maintenance and have very little cost. But as most recognize there is substantially more green space in the southern areas. Pay close attention to these arears and you will see that what is growing in these areas is not the same turf taht you see along the MMPs and walkways north of SR44. This is more native grasses that require less water and grows better if not cut nearly as often, and with less nutrient supplement (fertilizer). These factors allow cutting only once every 2-3 weeks instead of every 5-7 days like north of SR44 and less water and treatments requirements, in all less cost per acre to maintain.

There are also less of things like the flowers that are replaced several times a year and different (more durable) fencing used throughout the communities south of SR44. Here again the concept is more area but less cost per area to maintain through a more nature landscaping plan.

The budget allocation process relies on an assessable acreage calculation (my video Maintenance Assessment and The Villages 6-19-19 Construction Update - YouTube attempts to explain this). The cost ratios for assessable/nonassessable acreage stay pretty constant across the CDDs so each CDD pays the approximate cost of the maintenance costs from the Project Wide Fund allocation. These costs very from year to year and some years a CDD is doner CDD and some years they are recipient CDD, it just depends on the common area maintenance required each year. For example, right now there is a major fence replacement project in progress throughout The Villages working from north to south. So, for now, northern districts are recipients, but next fiscal year they will be doner CDDs as the more southern CDD's fencing is replaced. These oscillations are both normal and expected and a benefit of the Project Wide concept that keeps each CDD's budget much more stable than if they had to go it alone. In the long run, everything works out pretty fair for all the CDDs, including those south of SR44.

The northern CDDs are not trying to divorce a more expensive younger brother, each CDD is carrying its own weight. This is more akin to a separation of generations. No matter how hard we try, we will not think and prioritize things the same as our children or our parents, this doesn't make any one of them more right or wrong than the other, just a little different, but all with the same goal in mind. Because of the differences in community designs and geomorphology, a slightly different mindset will be needed going forward for the new areas. The PWAC spilt helps facilitate the differences in maintenance strategies.

By the time the split is planned to occur in 2021, it is highly likely that CDD14 will have been formed and CDD15 also in the works. These will all add to the new PWAC2 and continue to help in the risk mitigation.

From the risk mitigation aspect of the Project Wide Agreement, the CDDs north of SR44 could be the loser in the PWAC split. Consider the following scenario: A pumping station in CDD7 is struck by lightning and destroyed. The cost to repair/replace it is $1 million. The PWAC does not maintain significant capital reserves, it is left to each of the numbered CDDs to maintain these funds, so the PWAC must send a funding request to each of the member CDDs and obtain their equitable share based on the assessable acreage calculation. The current total assessable acreage for CDD 5 through 13 is about 10,149 acres, of this about 7850 is north of SR44 and 2300 is south of SR44. So the CDDs north of SR44 would pay about $774K and south of SR44 would pay $$226K to replace the pumping station that exists for the common good of the community. Once the split occurs then the CDDs north of SR44 would have to pay the full $1 Million. Of course, the situation could be reversed and happen in CDD12, in which case the win/lose is reversed. Of course, the pumping station being in CDD7 would pose a similar scenario if CDD7 were to withdrawal from the project wide agreement and they (the residents of CDD7) would be on the hook for the entire cost. But that is an entirely different discussion for a different thread.

Please do go to the CDD meeting, ask the questions, make your supervisors explain the pluses and minus to you, if you see them sweat or squirming in their seats, you're doing the right thing. If after all that you are comfortable with the answers and direction the process is going, then your supervisors are doing their job and are deserving of your support. One thing I can assure you of, your Supervisors want you to come to the meeting, they want you to ask question, they want to hear your opinions, they want your involvement. Don't let them make decisions in a vacuum.

[Goldwingnut]

Originally Posted by Kenswing

Is there a feel for how many CDD's there will be in the south end once the Developer fills in all the land they have bought? I would think if there is another 4 or 5 CDD's it would make sense to split the PWAC's into two groups.

Just based on the planned acreage of the development for the future and the 2500 acre limitation of a CDD under FS190, seeing a CDD 20, or 21, or 22 would not be out of the question, don't forget the Community Support District (the family area south of CR470) and one or two more commercial districts.

One could only image the chaos of a PWAC meeting with 18 CDDs, a CSD, and 3 commercial CDDs in attendance...

[Goldwingnut]

Originally Posted by Kenswing

According to what Don wrote it looks like this isn't going to happen until October 2022. That doesn't seem like such a big hurry. That's probably 5,000 more houses at the rate things are going.

Yes, 1 October 2022 is the timeline that has been presented to the SLCDD, so your numbers are probably not too far off.

[Goldwingnut]

Originally Posted by Buckeye Bob

When, if ever, will the residents actually have control of amenities, etc. South of 466 to 466A? Just like North off 466.....

The already do, through the PWAC. But remember, the residents DO NOT own the amenities north or south of CR466, they are owned by either SLCDD or VCCDD. After the amenities were purchased south of CR466 by the SLCDD they gave the PWAC the same basic charter as the AAC (the AAC charter was the basis of the new charter) for the operation and control of the amenities. The name difference (Authority vs. Advisory) is basically irrelevant in the roles and responsibilities of the two committees over the amenities.