[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Mrs.Guy

Are we talking about following the state's "Sunshine Law"? Or maybe the new probe by the state's Commission on Ethics that has found probable cause that the ex-commissioner awaiting trial may have violated Florida's gift law? Amazingly I didn't see that mentioned after yestersday's front page story in the paper. Don't think the online rag mentioned it either.

Possibly not mentioned because it doesn't fit the topic and might be considered political.

[Mrs.Guy]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Possibly not mentioned because it doesn't fit the topic and might be considered political.

I agree but wanted a clarification from Bogie on his post #175 in this thread. Also, I didn't mean it to be political in any way.

On a different note - In your research on this have you seen anything on the projected billing for TVPS Ambulance Service? I would think it could be substantial and would considerably offset the cost.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Mrs.Guy

...

On a different note - In your research on this have you seen anything on the projected billing for TVPS Ambulance Service? I would think it could be substantial and would considerably offset the cost.

It was mentioned in the recent presentation at the POA. It was one of the questions near the end of the presentation. I don't recall the numbers that were given.

[VApeople]

I want to be treated like other people living in Sumter County, so I am voting NO on the ballot initiative for The Villages to establish our own fire and ambulance services.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Mrs.Guy

Are we talking about following the state's "Sunshine Law"? Or maybe the new probe by the state's Commission on Ethics that has found probable cause that the ex-commissioner awaiting trial may have violated Florida's gift law? Amazingly I didn't see that mentioned after yestersday's front page story in the paper. Don't think the online rag mentioned it either.

Sorry, I dare not tread in any explanation……………

[Bilyclub]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

1. and 2. cannot be determined because they are dependent on changes to the property tax rate that will be made by the BoCC. I can tell you exactly how much you would pay to the IFD/VPSD but I can't tell you how much less you will pay to Sumter County.

If you used the same standards for purchasing a home then you would still be living with your parents. A realtor can tell you how much you would pay in property taxes today but there is no way to predict what the assessed value or property tax rate will be next year. There is ALWAYS ambiguity in these numbers until the final quarter of the year.

For 3. there is a lot of information on the Public Safety page under districtgov.org. Much of it boils down to preventing the possibility of bad things happening if the IFD is not created.

For 4. there are no specific disadvantages. There are *possible* disadvantages if the IFD board does this bad thing or the BoCC does that bad thing but if you assume noble intent then these bad things won't happen.

In essence you are saying this whole IFD is based on "what ifs" for the pros and cons.
This was not well thought out with a lot of vagueness built in.

[Babubhat]

Walking into a Lobster Pot which can’t be escaped.

[Happydaz]

Originally Posted by oldtimes

Yes there is definitely an agenda going on here. Someone stands to gain greatly to see this defeated.

Yes someone does stand to gain, the homeowner! No way am I going to vote for a $500 increase in my taxes and the creation of a commission that is not answerable to The Villagers. The governor appoints these people they are not elected. Why would I approve something that will add $500 to my tax bill when I don’t know yet how much Sumter County will reduce my taxes by? For example, let’s say my designer home costs me $500 more to have a separate Villages Fire Department (The ambulance service has already been folded into our local fire stations so that is not an issue in this election.) Later Sumter County looks at the next tax season and decides they may need new schools with all the new homes and apartments being built so they only reduce my taxes by $200. So this new Villages Fire Department ends up costing me $300 extra. Who is going to gamble on setting this up without knowing how this will all play out. No businessman I know would enter into a deal like this without knowing all the costs involved. Why should I trust another government commission to administer my fire department? I need more facts and exact dollar amounts before I would favor a separate fire department.

[Babubhat]

Let them come back next year with concrete numbers.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Bilyclub

In essence you are saying this whole IFD is based on "what ifs" for the pros and cons.
This was not well thought out with a lot of vagueness built in.

In fact what I am saying is the information provided is as complete as legally possible and is no less complete as what you have if the IFD is not created.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Happydaz

Yes someone does stand to gain, the homeowner! No way am I going to vote for a $500 increase in my taxes and the creation of a commission that is not answerable to The Villagers. The governor appoints these people they are not elected. Why would I approve something that will add $500 to my tax bill when I don’t know yet how much Sumter County will reduce my taxes by? For example, let’s say my designer home costs me $500 more to have a separate Villages Fire Department (The ambulance service has already been folded into our local fire stations so that is not an issue in this election.) Later Sumter County looks at the next tax season and decides they may need new schools with all the new homes and apartments being built so they only reduce my taxes by $200. So this new Villages Fire Department ends up costing me $300 extra. Who is going to gamble on setting this up without knowing how this will all play out. No businessman I know would enter into a deal like this without knowing all the costs involved. Why should I trust another government commission to administer my fire department? I need more facts and exact dollar amounts before I would favor a separate fire department.

You do realize that the way current financing works, you would get a $300 tax increase if Sumter County decided it needed new schools anyway. Regardless of an IFD or not, you can't control Sumter county's taxation and spending.

[Mrs.Guy]

Originally Posted by Happydaz

Yes someone does stand to gain, the homeowner! No way am I going to vote for a $500 increase in my taxes and the creation of a commission that is not answerable to The Villagers. The governor appoints these people they are not elected. Why would I approve something that will add $500 to my tax bill when I don’t know yet how much Sumter County will reduce my taxes by? For example, let’s say my designer home costs me $500 more to have a separate Villages Fire Department (The ambulance service has already been folded into our local fire stations so that is not an issue in this election.) Later Sumter County looks at the next tax season and decides they may need new schools with all the new homes and apartments being built so they only reduce my taxes by $200. So this new Villages Fire Department ends up costing me $300 extra. Who is going to gamble on setting this up without knowing how this will all play out. No businessman I know would enter into a deal like this without knowing all the costs involved. Why should I trust another government commission to administer my fire department? I need more facts and exact dollar amounts before I would favor a separate fire department.

Wow.......please do a little research on things work.

[Plinker]

Originally Posted by Babubhat

Let them come back next year with concrete numbers.

Exactly my point. Wait until next year and provide a link so each property owner can get a precise dollar amount they would pay if the proposal was enacted. Also, more clearly offer pros and cons of a yes/no vote. Then, place the proposal on the ballot. Sure, the numbers will change year to year, but at least we will have a baseline to draw conclusions.
Right now, it appears that no concrete numbers are possible until AFTER the referendum passes. If this is the case then it appears the cart is ahead of the horse.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Plinker

Exactly my point. Wait until next year and provide a link so each property owner can get a precise dollar amount they would pay if the proposal was enacted. Also, more clearly offer pros and cons of a yes/no vote. Then, place the proposal on the ballot. Sure, the numbers will change year to year, but at least we will have a baseline to draw conclusions.
Right now, it appears that no concrete numbers are possible until AFTER the referendum passes. If this is the case then it appears the cart is ahead of the horse.

Concrete numbers for your current assessment are available today and have been for a while now. How can you not know that after all the posts, articles, and announcements?

[Plinker]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Concrete numbers for your current assessment are available today and have been for a while now. How can you not know that after all the posts, articles, and announcements?

I am fully aware of the current assessments. How that would change next year should this referendum pass is anybodies guess. That is what many of the posts are concerned about. I’m agreeing with those stated concerns.