[Dilligas]

Originally Posted by toeser

I hope you are enjoying your 25% tax increase brought to you by the developer's puppets. I doubt the developer is going to destroy their business model because they did not get things 100% their way. They still have a lot of homes to sell and resell.

Yes I am enjoying my tax increase.....because since I moved here in late 2011, my taxes have gone down, and even with the increase, the total taxes are only up about 7.3% in 7 years, while the Ad Valorem is only up 5.87% in 7 years, all while my assessed value it up 38.6%. Hindsight is 20x20 and in this case those of you quoting the 25% are taking things out of context and not looking at the whole picture. If you bill went up 25%, you probably just bought a year or so ago, or are not homestead, or are canadian or snowbirds with homestead up north, or don't live in TV. Your blindsighted approach would damage the future, home values, tourism, and your own personal enjoyment for which you moved here.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Jayhawk

Some of you cranky old complainers need to get a life. You don't have much time left, no need to spend it so unhappy.

I was gonna say something kinda like that but then I realized that I wanted to talk about certain groups feeling one way and certain other groups feeling another way and then I realized it was political. I decided that I really enjoy being here on this forum and seeing what people have to say, although I don't agree with a very small percentage of them. EVERY DANGED TIME AND almost on everything.

How'd I do. Am I safe?

[Marshaw]

That maybe true to a degree but i contend the relative cam here in a bit part because of the entertainment. If not why live her. You could do live down the road for 1/2 the price.

[newgirl]

Not true

[Dilligas]

Originally Posted by Dilligas

Yes I am enjoying my tax increase.....because since I moved here in late 2011, my taxes have gone down, and even with the increase, the total taxes are only up about 7.3% in 7 years, while the Ad Valorem is only up 5.87% in 7 years, all while my assessed value it up 38.6%. Hindsight is 20x20 and in this case those of you quoting the 25% are taking things out of context and not looking at the whole picture. If you bill went up 25%, you probably just bought a year or so ago, or are not homestead, or are canadian or snowbirds with homestead up north, or don't live in TV. Your blindsighted approach would damage the future, home values, tourism, and your own personal enjoyment for which you moved here.

In addition, for 2020, Florida is 23rd out of 50 states at an average $1,773 (lower half) and Sumter County is $1,517 average (lower half of FL and 760th of 3,143 in the US)....for average $150,000 valuation. 0.82% of property value (1,461 of 3,143).

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by Jayhawk

Some of you cranky old complainers need to get a life. You don't have much time left, no need to spend it so unhappy.

I think you got it all wrong. The people you label as complainers are people venting their frustration because they care about the residents of the Villages and want to see everyone’s investment in their home and retirement lifestyle turn out as good as possible. The cranky old complainers who need to get a life are those who have nothing better to do then call out people who care deeply about the residents of the Villages.

As Goldwingnut stated in a recent post, don’t confuse pro-resident, with anti-developer.

[GPGuar]

Originally Posted by Northwoods

I think this is an important election. I would bet there is a good relationship between the current commissioners and The Developer. If "we" vote in the "new" team, you can say goodbye to entertainment on the square in both Brownwood and Lake Sumter. (Oren Miller has stated in two separate Facebook posts he would vote NO to continue to fund $120,000 from the hotel tax to pay for square entertainment).
So pat yourself on the back that you voted out those "puppets." Then let me know how happy you are that the entertainment is gone. Square businesses will struggle (many retail establishments are closing early now because there is no entertainment to drive traffic).
Now you have a situation just like congress... two sides won't give an inch and nothing gets done.
As Barack Obama once said "Elections have consequences."

Miller comes out... new guy comes in.... entertainment starts up again, simple!

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by GPGuar

Miller comes out... new guy comes in.... entertainment starts up again, simple!

If we get the new ones, oh the spending we'll see. And there will be a fee
For dancing and drinking on the squares.
They are driven to spend and it won't just soon end .
And then the up'd taxes will look more than fair.

Tell the ones who are in to stay in.
Or else the "reform" will begin.
We'll have pools that are heated AND cooled.
And the kings clothes will all be jeweled.

If it ain't broke don't fix it she said.
We are here until we are dead.
So far the trip is quite nice.
If you want the pool cool just bring ice.

[ldovermiller]

Why are we worried about the entertainment, we should not pay for it...let the businesses around the square underwrite this expense. They get between 700-$1,000 per night, depending on the group. I don't have to leave it! I stomach corrupt government!! The builder has no business controlling the government for his own benefit. This is not a monarchy. There are certain crime agencies in this country that investigate criminal activities along with mafia control of businesses and different levels of our government. Don't overlook our current sheriff...he takes his orders from the developer to NOT ISSUE SPEEDING TICKETS....ONLY
A WARNING!!! WHY...we need to dump this guy. Don't take my word, call the local sheriff and speak to the station chief. DEE GUSTING FOLKS.... apathy should not put our safety, health at risk as we travel on "our" streets . WAKE UP!!

[NJRICHARD]

A 25% tax increase without debate will definitely lead to many more tax increases. They found the pot of gold and when they need more money because of mismanagement, slow sales, etc., guess where they will come? The current expansion is not justified without short & long termed market based evaluation. We all change over time and brilliance of Morse & Schwartz is they built in phases adjusting as the market dictated. The current young group is taking on one enormous development all at once without considering massive market fluxuations.

[Magic19]

The puppets lie to your face, and then they want you to vote for them. They have NO accountability, only to the Developer......Shame on them. Vote all three out, then let's see what happens..............Actions have consequences...............

[Barborv]

And when those people come to visit their relatives, the big highlight IS THE ENTERTAINMENT on the Town Squares. The vibe, the atmosphere, the people , the venders, the dancing and music, makes the Villages so Special.

[Barborv]

Most people who come here to visit relatives most always go to the town squares in the evening. That's the HIGHLIGHT of the Villages. The vibe, the atmosphere, the people,the restaurants, the music and dancing , the market nights, etc. Never mind the relatives, what about the people who live here? I always enjoy taking a ride into the squares to see whats going on and relaxing to the music, or taking a stroll. It is a very big part of what the Villages is!

[merrymini]

Originally Posted by Dilligas

Yes I am enjoying my tax increase.....because since I moved here in late 2011, my taxes have gone down, and even with the increase, the total taxes are only up about 7.3% in 7 years, while the Ad Valorem is only up 5.87% in 7 years, all while my assessed value it up 38.6%. Hindsight is 20x20 and in this case those of you quoting the 25% are taking things out of context and not looking at the whole picture. If you bill went up 25%, you probably just bought a year or so ago, or are not homestead, or are canadian or snowbirds with homestead up north, or don't live in TV. Your blindsighted approach would damage the future, home values, tourism, and your own personal enjoyment for which you moved here.

Glad to see somebody’s taxes going down. I bought in 2014 and have yet to see them go down. We must be on different planets.

[skip0358]

Originally Posted by rmd2

It is your choice. Enjoy the 25% tax increase for things that should have been paid by the developer who I am sure is very happy to have us pay for it instead.

Where is this 25% increase coming from. Every year we hear the same stuff tax increases the developer is getting to good a deal blah blah blah. Been here almost 11 years and my expenses haven't gone up much at all and my taxes are just fine no 25% tax increase. People didn't do their homework or read online before moving here. I knew what they had here as I researched for a good year before moving here chatted on TOTV with a few people sat in the Square in Spanish Springs one night chatting with a gent and he was spot on with what my costs would be. Is it 100% perfect here no but it's 100% better then living in Suffolk County NY where my taxes alone were at least 2x what we're paying here. All I can say is IF so many people are unhappy with the Developer & his Family and his relationship with the County Politicians perhaps they should put their house up for sale. As for us we have one move left and it's in Bushnell! Ok I'm ready for the stones now start throwing!