[tophcfa]

The article in today's Daily Sun clearly states that the main reason for the tax increases is to pay for the infrastructure needed to connect the Villages north with the developing Villages south. As someone who is pro capitalism and usually fully supportive of the efforts of the developers, I am not happy about this. People living in the northern sections of the Villages are getting little to no benefit from the development south of 44. In fact, the laws of supply and demand would indicate that the new development is limiting the price appreciation potential of their homes. Yet those same people are being forced to pay for the infrastructure necessary for the development. In my opinion, the parties that made the decision to build the Villages south, and stand to benefit from the new development, should be responsible for footing the infrastructure bill necessated because of their endeavor.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

The article in today's Daily Sun clearly states that the main reason for the tax increases is to pay for the infrastructure needed to connect the Villages north with the developing Villages south. As someone who is pro capitalism and usually fully supportive of the efforts of the developers, I am not happy about this. People living in the northern sections of the Villages are getting little to no benefit from the development south of 44. In fact, the laws of supply and demand would indicate that the new development is limiting the price appreciation potential of their homes. Yet those same people are being forced to pay for the infrastructure necessary for the development. In my opinion, the parties that made the decision to build the Villages south, and stand to benefit from the new development, should be responsible for footing the infrastructure bill necessated because of their endeavor.

But aren't the infrastructure dollars going to existing County roads to handle the additional traffic??

Just like when the County improved BV & Morse....using County funds.

One difference is this growth is not starting with contiguous property.
Second difference is the speed of growth.

+10 years with no tax increase.......it's about time.

[pauld315]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

The article in today's Daily Sun clearly states that the main reason for the tax increases is to pay for the infrastructure needed to connect the Villages north with the developing Villages south. As someone who is pro capitalism and usually fully supportive of the efforts of the developers, I am not happy about this. People living in the northern sections of the Villages are getting little to no benefit from the development south of 44. In fact, the laws of supply and demand would indicate that the new development is limiting the price appreciation potential of their homes. Yet those same people are being forced to pay for the infrastructure necessary for the development. In my opinion, the parties that made the decision to build the Villages south, and stand to benefit from the new development, should be responsible for footing the infrastructure bill necessated because of their endeavor.

Absolutely agree, they finally admitted that the increase is to build the infrastructure for the developer. Not only do the Villagers in the north end get no benefit but the residents who don't even live in The Villages get zero benefit. Tax increases only benefit the developer's growth which most of the non Villagers in Sumter County are opposed to anyway.

If I remember right, previous to this expansion, the developer paid for all of those roads and then upon completion turned them over to Sumter County. What changed ? Maybe Sumter County didn't want anything to do with this arrangement anymore since they have now have to go back and repair the shoddy workmanship that was done on those roads. They would rather build it correctly the first time to reduce maintenance costs in the future.

Actually the Villagers in the north end take a big hit because of the expansion and nothing being down there to support the new residents. They all have to travel north on Morse to get to shopping, restaurants, doctors etc and that just puts more and more of a burden on the roads, especially on Morse north of 44. North of 466 on Morse is already a safety hazard and a nightmare in season and with the increased traffic they just keep adding to the problem with no intention of ever fixing it.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by pauld315

If I remember right, previous to this expansion, the developer paid for all of those roads and then upon completion turned them over to Sumter County.

.

Nope.

[billethkid]

Once upon a time the "bond" was described as the source of funds for infrastructure.

If there is still a requirement for a bond on new construction ( I do not know if there is...or not).....then what has changed?

The fast growth brings with it significant increasing revenues over prior years.

To hear that the Southward expansion and the required infrastructure is the reason for the 25% increase....for me does not add up.

I also view the explanation(s) given by The Daily Sun is little more than continuing increase justification rather than a good old fashioned budget increase clarification.

[CWGUY]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I keep saying that the actual tax increase will not come close to 25%. I am not new here.

We'll see at 6 p.m. tonight.

[Tornado Topliss]

I am a UK Citizen who purchased my Villages home in 2003 and moved in in Feb 2004 following the building of it. We are only allowed to live in the USA for 6 months per year which is what our visa allows .
I recently received my Trim Notice and it shows that my overall taxes are due to increase from 2648 to 3317 dollars. A 25% increase.

The breakdown is shown as
County 1269 to 1752 Dollars 38%
Schools
State Law 809 to 873 Dollars 7.9%
Local Board 500 to 619 Dollars 24%
Water Management 70 to 73 4.2%

Overall 25%

I am only mentioning this since it appears that several respondents are saying it is not 25% but for me it is.. I accept that since I am not a full time resident I do not get any of the tax off -setting benefits that full time residents enjoy however for me it is 25%
I should have not kept telling my UK neighbours that my property taxes in The Villages had not really seen an increase in all the years we had lived here . In fact they had never reached the level that my sales agent had forecast back in 2003.

We love it in The Villages although I believe that this present proposed tax increase could have been handled in a much more professional way and I must admit that I am in agreement with many of the comments made by the respondents as to ways of reducing the 25% (to me) increase . I am sure all my full time neighbours will take pity on me and provide me a few beers to help me out .

[thelegges]

Ours will be over $600. For a moderate designer

[rustyp]

Before the I told you so's start tonight remember the proposed tax increase is on the county taxes. School taxes are not included. Also for those of you that have a bond you need to back that out also. Thus if what you normally call your once per year tax bill is raised about 12.5% tonight that is a "county property" tax increase of about 25%.

[CWGUY]

Originally Posted by thelegges

Ours will be over $600. For a moderate designer

Are you saying your County Property Taxes will be over $600 or your County Property Taxes are going up over $600? Thank you.

[Bowtorc]

the 25 percent is only on the county tax not total tax bill. the Tuesday paper is misleading though new assessments and county tax increase raised my bill 300 dollars plus with a house assessed a lot less than 300,000

[JSR22]

Mine are up 344 on on an assessed value of 279,00 and market value 353,000

[Bowtorc]

Wildwood rates went down and lake county? Looks like the developer is getting a free ride. with a 38 percent increase in population I would think the added tax revenue would be great. Maybe I just don't understand. Looks like we are paying for the villages south of 44 and what about the damage created by heavy trucks working on developing property? there is continual heavy traffic on Morris. where I come from the there was a charge for damage. Truck tags did not cover the cost for road use by heavy equipment . Just saying, looks like we have been had by an agreement between the developer and the county and possibly more than what appears for commissioner's salary and compensation. Maybe they are just not wise enough to be in those positions and don't know how to represent the population?

[CWGUY]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I keep saying that the actual tax increase will not come close to 25%. I am not new here.

What happened?

[rustyp]

After three hours of a public meeting with much outcry by Villagers the TAX INCREASE OF 25% WAS VOTED IN. Ref the online "other news" this morning.