[Challenger]

What he said-- Do not suspend amenity fees.

[Challenger]

Originally Posted by Goldwingnut

Your "holiday" idea lacks the an understanding of the Amenity Fee.
First off, the squares and theaters are not amenities and not supported by the amenity fee directly, yes the recreation activities that do occur there help bring business to the merchants but no amenity fee funds are paid to the merchants, and the cost for the nightly music does not come out of the amenity fees.

I pulled up my copy of the current year's budget for the amenity district south of CR466 and took a look at what costs could be cut if we cut the revenue as a result of your "holiday" idea. Remember, in the state of Florida the law requires a balanced budget.
Here's the major categories:
Total budget: $71,814,495 (south of 466)

Debt Service: $23,342,191 - this is the payback of the bonds from 2016 used by the CDD to purchase the amenities, can't not pay this bill, it is a contractual obligation with the bond holders.

Operating Supplies: $2,656,666 - we might be able to cut a little here, the Recreation supplies are $258,00 of this and since few activities are going on they may be a savings in the $21,500 costs but not much. The rest is made up of repair and operating costs of the facilities that will still be incurred.

Printing and binding: $565,020 - this cost will probably go up a little as things are rescheduled and new materials will need to be produced.

Repairs and Maintenance services: $16,079,147 - nothing to cut here, the buildings and landscaping will still need to be maintained.

Insurance: $696,443 - Good luck there getting an insurance company to lower their rate, if asked they would probably raise the rate because of the added risk right now.

Rentals and Leases: $112,241 - all of these will expect to be paid regardless of what is going on.

Utilities: $2,983,124 - Still have to keep the air conditioning on. The toilets may be flushed a few times less each day and it may save a little out of the $263,256 in the water sewer portion of this cost.

Contract Services: $7,258,557 - this includes $2,547,773 for the executive golf courses operation and $2,063,859 that goes to the Dept of Safety (fire stations) that provides a higher level of service than the rest of the county. Nothing can be cut here, the firemen still work and the grass still grows.

Professional Services: $15,318,804 - this is the cost for staffing the amenity portion of The Villages - Administrative, Community Watch, Property management, Recreation dept ($6,733,088), engineering, legal, technology services, etc. These people are still working, shall we lay them off or just not pay them during this "holiday"? Because of this mess they are probably working harder than ever to support the community.

That's most of the costs, there are a few minor additional cost, I've attached this year's budget for amenity fund and project wide fund if you want the detail.

Since we are obligated by state law to balance our budget, which services shall we cut to fund this ill-conceived "holiday"? What bills shall we not pay? What facility shall we not maintain? Who shall we layoff and not pay?

Many of us here in The Villages have lived in "the bubble" too long and have forgotten there is a real world out there that sill has to operate and live by rules, even while we enjoy ourselves in our retirement. The administrative costs alone for calculating and applying any minor savings each of the 42,154 homes would realize from such a holiday would far exceed any savings that might possible be achieved. It really sucks having to step back into the real world.

An educated answer to the OP. Thanks Goldwingnut !

[jarodrig]

I was wondering how long it would take before the whining started ........

[riamd1954]

Great request and they should

[JoMar]

Originally Posted by riamd1954

Great request and they should

Selfish request and the should NOT

[CWGUY]

Originally Posted by JoMar

Selfish request and the should NOT

Selfish and ignorant too. Poor people just don't have a clue. I would be embarrassed......

[Sandy and Ed]

Would suggest that this would be a convenient time for tv to schedule across the board cleaning an the normal periodic maintenance of the closed facilities. This will allow all to maintain employment in a safer environment

[croughwell]

What??? Do you know how many of the extended family members are now employed by The Villages!
Also, the governor needs use of the jet!

[Microcodeboy]

The idea is ridiculous and very selfish. I want the employees to get paid and to be available when things open again. THINK OF OTHERS, INCLUDING THOSE WHO WOULD BE OUT OF WORK!!

[Bmjckp]

Originally Posted by PugMom

best motto to live by. imagine when a REAL crisis hits.

So this is not REAL? Wake up!

[Bjeanj]

So this is the training we have to give every time a batch of newbies come along? Why don’t we just refer them to
VCDD Resident Academy

VCDD Orientation

Might save some time and frustration. Did they even read the covenants?

[Snookie]

Isn't it silly that we have to spent our time worrying about a few dollars when TV is trying to protect our health during this pandemic?
By shutting down for a short while to help possibly save lives doesn't seem to be worth a couple of weeks of not being able to play Mahjong. How senseless do some of you think? This is boring me, I think I'm going to take a nap...

[Debfrommaine]

When we moved here we knew what we signed up for. The lifestyle is a gift......move if you are not happy. No one is entitled.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by croughwell

What??? Do you know how many of the extended family members are now employed by The Villages!
Also, the governor needs use of the jet!

What the h#$& does this mean?

[DonnaNi4os]

That certainly isn’t going to happen. I personally love all of the flowers and maintained surroundings. Stopping the amenity fees will put a hault to maintenance. When I lived up north my fees provided snow plowing. The fees didn’t stop if it didn’t snow. Let’s chill everyone. We will get through this difficult time. We are blessed to live in this sunny environment where we can walk around and greet our neighbors, if only from a distance.