[Larchap49]

Originally Posted by Villages Kahuna

The Sumter County commissioners, including three who ran and were elected on the promise of rolling back a 25% increase in property taxes, voted to do just that on Tuesday.

The special meeting to vote on the question was scheduled before the period agreed on to “study the effect of the tax rollback on county property owners” was made necessary because of the bill proposed by State Representative William Hage to cap impact fees charged to developers to a low single-digit percentage. Hage’s proposed law would have been retroactive to January 1, 2021, and if passed would essentially protect the Developer (and all Florida Real estate developers) from the obligation to pay impact fees created by the commissioners concurrent with the rollback of taxes on call Sumter County property owners. To refresh everyone’s memory, Hage is a senior executive of the Developer being paid about $200,000 year. If you see Hage’s proposed law as a huge conflict of interest—and very expensive to county homeowners—you’d be right “on the money”.

But the Developer-owned Villages Daily Sun’s front page headline describing the commissioners passage of the property tax rollback was Commission Pushes Tax Increase Through. The long article in the Wednesday edition describes the increased road and infrastructure impact fees as a “tax increase”. Of course there was no discussion in the article of the fact that county homeowners’ property taxes would have a major reduction from the tax increase passed by the former county commissioners which would have gone into effect next year. To refresh everyone’s memory the former five-member board of county commissioners were all either employees of the Developer or affiliated with contractors working for the Developer.

Draw your own conclusions, but all Sumter County homeowners should be thankful that finally there were three political candidates who followed through on their campaign promises. I know I am.

The other two conflicted commissioners run for re-election in 2022. Keep a eye out for the emergence of candidates challenging their incumbency.

By the way, I predict that both residential and commercial development in the south end of The Villages will continue at the pace desired by the Developer. Somehow they’ll “figure out a way” without the funding of new roads and infrastructure which would have been provided by ALL Sumter County homeowners!

Correct me if I'm wrong and I may be, but doesn't part of the huge bond I'm paying go toward that.

[eyc234]

Just want my 25% back as promised. Looked at every house on our street and neighborhood and found 2 that went up 25% in actual money paid. I am sure that we will all be happy to get 25% back as promised. If not how about a recall. Do not know the solution but do know that there is massive amount of half truths on both sides.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

If the paper was independent and could print what a living breathing editor would approve it might have said that.

However as we all know it prints what the developer approves.

Actually any news report or anything written down from second hand source is just an opinion based on no actual first hand facts. So, it can be spin many different ways. Then, there the unidentified source’s that really get’s Hollywood spin.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Larry chappel

Correct me if I'm wrong and I may be, but doesn't part of the huge bond I'm paying go toward that.

IMO that goes directly with interest into developers pockets. The more payments you make the more they make.

[royalglen]

Thank you forva clear summary with truthful facts.

[cleanwater]

Thank you, excellent explanation.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by cleanwater

Thank you, excellent explanation.

Without attaching your comment to the post U R referring to..........a lot of posters will take credit.

[RMarkland]

Wonderful response. What about you heading up a group to find candidates for the November 2022 election. At that time two commissioners, and one Florida State Representative (Hage) terms will have lapsed. Will they run for reelection or not? In any case it would be wise to begin finding replacements for those slots.

[FlaGrown]

You conveniently omitted the fact that the three commissioners are democrats who changed their party to Republican in an effort to be elected. Anyone who lies to you up front is likely to lie to you again.

[Lottoguy]

Looks like Marion and Lake counties will be the lower taxed areas now.

[irishwonone]

Absolutely correct. This is Florida where where construction and business never stop growing. With so much disposable income in our area business is clamoring to get at it. Not just in the bubble but outside of it too.

[Velvet]

Originally Posted by G.R.I.T.S.

All posters:
Keep it up! Eventually, we'll be able to enjoy all the perks high fees and taxes bring to states in other areas of the country!

Why do you suppose we LEFT those areas in the first place?

[PennBF]

Let's hope the POA chases this outrages condition?

[Neils]

Since there is a gov moratorium on rental evictions, can homeowners not pay their tax bills?

[rogerk]

Keep in mind folks, the Road Impact Tax can ONLY be used for roads. I can't be used to reduce ad-valorem property taxes!