[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by nancyre

We knew the decision to send things to the trash for energy was a bit higher, but I LOVE not having to separate everything, rinse out etc. (FYI that saves water - both $ and the amount wasted) I paid more than that BTW 30 years ago for 1x a week service, from a private garbage company.

The primary reason the rates are as low as they are (compared to outside the Villages) is because about 50% of the Villages homeowners are paying for trash service year round despite the fact that they produce zero trash for about half the year. The rates are effectively being subsidized by part time residents. In addition, the number of people living in each household is smaller and senior citizens generally produce less trash per person. Up north, we pay by the bag. It certainly costs more per bag when we are there, but it costs nothing when we are at our Villages home. Paying by the bag has the added benefit of incentivizing trash producers to be more efficient and recycle whatever possible since it’s free to dispose of recyclables.

[jimdecastro]

Originally Posted by twoplanekid

In yesterday’s Villages Daily Sun, there was an article labeled "Inside CDDs". One of the topics discussed was "How do residents benefit from a CDD". It was stated that "That local control also ensures that the board of supervisors adopts sound decisions during public meetings to reduce costs and maximize revenue." Well, I would hope so.

At the October 2022 NSCUDD board meeting in the Villages, I stated the following.

“As a few board members were absent from the last board meeting and as I can only discuss NSCUDD issues with them at a board meeting, I would like to make all members aware of my feeling on an issue that troubles me.

Last month I pointed out that NSCUDD trash pickup fees are $22.96 per month. The fees charged to Villages residents south of 44 with a similar two day pickup schedule are $19.70 plus a Wildwood tax of $1.71. If we compare their charge less tax with ours, NSCUDD is 15% higher.

When we purchase systems from a private entity, we present to the public a pledge that we will do better than the private entity that had operated that system. I would encourage District staff and Jacobs to look at ways to reduce cost so that NSCUDD can adjust our fees to a more reasonable level compared to fees charged for the same level of service by a private entity south of 44.

I noticed that tons collect by Jacobs in August were down yet millage was the same as last year per the Sumter sanitation graph. Please think out of the box to change how we operate to help reduce costs.

Keeping cost inline should be a top priority with us. I understand we may need to increase fees to our CSU customers because we may need to increase our reserve funding. I believe that our large bond payments that amount to 57% of all expenditures have limited what we can accrue for reserves. These large bond payments are needed to cover what NSCUDD purchased from a private firm. Again I encourage all board members to keep in mind our pledge to the public that NSCUDD will operate more efficiently than a private entity. “

So, we could and should be doing better with utilizing CDDs than a private entity. The benefits of going from one type of public entity to another is another matter.

I think it's funny that folks north of 44 are worried about us getting something that they don't. We have no stores, no gas stations, no decorated entrances, inferior walking paths (no curbs) and an entertainment venue that's open half of the time.

One of the reasons your cost is more (but not 15% when you add the Wildwood tax) is you get more pickups. We do not get picked up on several holidays that you do. Perhaps you can negotiate that off the schedule (holiday pay cost more) and you will see your fee drop by the approximately $1 difference.

[Mrs.Guy]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

The primary reason the rates are as low as they are (compared to outside the Villages) is because about 50% of the Villages homeowners are paying for trash service year round despite the fact that they produce zero trash for about half the year. The rates are effectively being subsidized by part time residents. In addition, the number of people living in each household is smaller and senior citizens generally produce less trash per person. Up north, we pay by the bag. It certainly costs more per bag when we are there, but it costs nothing when we are at our Villages home. Paying by the bag has the added benefit of incentivizing trash producers to be more efficient and recycle whatever possible since it’s free to dispose of recyclables.

I was going to say "thank you" but then I remembered that's what they sign up for when buying. The fact some are only here half the time is the "icing on the cake". I'll say thanks for that!
And were would I find out if that 50% figure is correct?

[Rainger99]

Originally Posted by mikreb

Most if not all residents south of 44 pay city taxes to Wildwood in exchange for very little services other than police. Wildwood should pay to pick up trash.

Have you ever seen a Wildwood police car patrolling any of the Villages in their jurisdiction??