Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby (Post 2103949)

Regarding pay at the Villages rec center: Most people working are retirees on social security. If they make too much money, their social security checks are reduced. If you work at the Country Clubs, you get a discount at the pro-shop (I don't know if that's a discount all employees get, but the ones at the CCs get it).

Also anyone who isn't old enough yet for Medicare (which is anyone under 65 years old) will pay significantly more money for health insurance premiums if they work, compared to if they don't work. Unless the company offers insurance. But if they want to be semi-retired, they won't be working full-time jobs that offer benefits. So again - you earn less, you make a few bucks, grocery money mostly - which makes it easier to enjoy the Villages lifestyle but doesn't cost you extra in insurance premiums.

Higher pay could actually drive some folks away from jobs at the Villages rec centers because of that.

Originally Posted by schwarz (Post 2104001)

The large majority of RAs in the Village are over 75 and certainly can earn as much as they want without paying back to SS. Is your point that they should be paid less so they don't make too much money?. Working in the larger Recreation centers has few if any perks. Most of us do it, in part to give back to the Villagers, but also as something to do.
Being home 24/7 quickly got tiring for me. I enjoy going in to work a few days a week. The physical work can at times be hard. After parties having to put away dozens of tables, perhaps hundreds of chairs, perhaps audi and visual equipment and more. What staff shortage does is put more demands on the remaining staff members. Improving the hourly rate would certainly help with staff retention and perhaps attract other part time retirees to the job and away from Publix, Sam's Club and others.

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter (Post 2103987)

Government - The Villages, Florida - 55+ Active Adult Retirement Community Website

What is CDD Orientation?
CDD Orientation is our “Introduction to your Special Purpose Local Government” informational program. You will learn how the Districts operate and learn other important community information about the people, services, and other supporting entities that help make The Villages a premier community.
No sign-ups or fees are required for this presentation. Sessions are held the 2nd and 4th Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at the District Office located at 984 Old Mill Run in Lake Sumter Landing.

Also lot of info here….
Village Community Development Districts

Originally Posted by Duke-SRT (Post 2103548)

I understand the recreation department is having problems maintaining staff to man our recreation centers, as a result the managers of the rec centers are required to fill in for any vacancies that occur. I understand that this is a part of their job, however, recently it is really getting out of hand with managers having to consistently work 6 or 7 days a week. The rec department is unwilling to increase wages for their part time employees that would even equal the starting pay of “fast food” restaurants in the area. I think it is more important to maintain the excellent service at our rec centers than spending our money on unnecessary things such as replacing flowers every few months at every traffic circle and major intersection in the villages? Aesthetics are nice but our amenity fees would be better spent maintaining staff than on frequent landscaping changes.

Originally Posted by Oldragbagger (Post 2103979)

Who runs the CDD’s? And if that is the case then why is almost every complaint I see directed at the developers?

You would think, from some of the comments on this and other social media sites, that the Morse family themselves plant the flowers and clean the rec center bathrooms and are responsible for all other issues here in TV. Either they are running things in some way, or they aren’t. Which is it?

Originally Posted by Duke-SRT (Post 2103548)

I understand the recreation department is having problems maintaining staff to man our recreation centers, as a result the managers of the rec centers are required to fill in for any vacancies that occur. I understand that this is a part of their job, however, recently it is really getting out of hand with managers having to consistently work 6 or 7 days a week. The rec department is unwilling to increase wages for their part time employees that would even equal the starting pay of “fast food” restaurants in the area. I think it is more important to maintain the excellent service at our rec centers than spending our money on unnecessary things such as replacing flowers every few months at every traffic circle and major intersection in the villages? Aesthetics are nice but our amenity fees would be better spent maintaining staff than on frequent landscaping changes.

Originally Posted by YvonneandScott (Post 2103849)

My hubs who is retired military and very fit who (still does same exercise he did in military) is 59 and tons of experience and worked as a GS employee in federal system after service has applied to jobs and never heard a word from anyone. My point is I do not think they are motivated to get people hired. Bc if they were they would at least call for an interview, do something. So no sympathy from me for not getting people on board. A good hiring system that has an employee shortage would have a contact system to get people on board!

Originally Posted by MartinSE (Post 2104043)

The board has 5 members and they are elected by the residents of that area.

Frequently people complain on here about the "greedy" developers. It is normally just expressing frustration or anger over something they disagree with. Frequently they do not know who is actually responsbile:

Here is a link to the webpage that explains it and provides answers to frequently asked questions:

VCDD FAQs

Originally Posted by Duke-SRT (Post 2104345)

Rec department starts at $10 an hour! And by the way this thread has nothing to do with the developer, I agree Harold Schwartz and Gary Morse created a wonderful place to live. (the current generation not so much) Our Amenity fees pay for both the flowers and the Rec Dept and several other things. The VCDD oks a budget which all the different departments submit (this thread refers to the recreation department), also I was bringing the problem of lack of recreation personnel forward not the maintenance of facilities. I worry that we may see Rec centers periodically closing due to lack of staff.