Originally Posted by Advogado (Post 1685078)

In real life, I was. Were you a developer? :)

Originally Posted by Velvet (Post 1685112)

And conversely, as a homeowner, you try to advocate in your best interest in the same way, Homeowners 101.

Originally Posted by Ben Franklin (Post 1685114)

I brought up Impact fees when I first heard of this tax increase. I am from a county in Southwest Florida, where the Commissioners were also in the pockets of the developers. Taxes held pretty steady until the Commissioners dropped the impact fees, then our taxes went up. The Commissioner's response was that impact fees would stymy growth. I moved to that county when the population was around 150,000 people. Today there are close to 800,000 people, and it's a parking lot on the roadways, even in the summer.

Personal responsibility means that those who are impacting the roads and schools and other areas should be the one's paying for their impact, not the people who already live in a community. We need leaders, not puppets.

Originally Posted by dewilson58 (Post 1685113)

Absolutely.


That is why Homeowners need to be engaged in the City/County Budget process, not wait until the taxes are determined to cover the budget.




:icon_wink:

Originally Posted by dewilson58 (Post 1685105)

As a Developer, developers try to maximize tax benefits and incentives while minimizing costs to develop a piece of land. This is Developer 101. It's not greed, it's business. If a city or county "gives too much away" (in the eyes of taxpayers), it's not a develop issue. The developer did a great job.

Originally Posted by njbchbum (Post 1685133)

Advogado - This impact fee has been in effect since 2015...what is the bruhaha all about now - and why? Have Sumter County residents not enjoyed stable or even lowered taxes for 15 years? Seems to me that the BOCC failed to maintain a 'rainy day fund' which might have offset the impact of this increase.

How is it that you expect Villages voters to overturn One Sumter when it exists because of their votes - which cannot be overcome by the number of voters in the rest of the County? Do you believe that the Villages voters wish to change their priority status that they seem to enjoy now?

Will you be a candidate for the S.C. BOCC?

Originally Posted by Martian (Post 1685136)

It seems to me that "the developers" great financial success is what makes TV as great as it is. Seriously, this place is an example of just how great a retirement community can be and it didn't get here because the developers were losing money! Guess what WE PAY THE BILLS.

Now, "suddenly" after decades of success building a great place for us, we want to start penny pinching and complaining about them making too much money "at our expense".

Sounds very short sighted to me. I hope TV continues to grow and proposer for more decades, and if the developers get filthy rich, then more power to them.

Originally Posted by Advogado (Post 1685166)

We are not penny pinching when we object to our elected officials kowtowing to their patron by offloading his costs on to us.

Originally Posted by graciegirl (Post 1685169)

You have been involved with the POA since Driedame being president?

Originally Posted by Velvet (Post 1685172)

Thank you for bringing information public (as long as it is accurate.) They say evil always counts on silence and blindness and gaslighting. The definition of evil is hurting (taking advantage) of other people.

Originally Posted by Velvet (Post 1685179)

Can’t find a thing inaccurate so far!

Originally Posted by Advogado (Post 1685164)

My only objective is to see Commissioners elected who are honest, competent, and independent of the Developer.

Originally Posted by dewilson58 (Post 1685191)

You've been at it for over 10 years, how's that going for you???




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:1rotfl:






:1rotfl:

Originally Posted by Ben Franklin (Post 1685114)

I brought up Impact fees when I first heard of this tax increase. I am from a county in Southwest Florida, where the Commissioners were also in the pockets of the developers. Taxes held pretty steady until the Commissioners dropped the impact fees, then our taxes went up. The Commissioner's response was that impact fees would stymy growth. I moved to that county when the population was around 150,000 people. Today there are close to 800,000 people, and it's a parking lot on the roadways, even in the summer.

Personal responsibility means that those who are impacting the roads and schools and other areas should be the one's paying for their impact, not the people who already live in a community. We need leaders, not puppets.

Originally Posted by Velvet (Post 1685151)

You are welcome to subsidize any charity, including billionaires, if you want, but I prefer to chose my own charities.

Originally Posted by Advogado (Post 1685164)

To address your points and questions:

Why no rainy day fund for the infrastructure? It is not raining. Instead, the Developer is massively expanding The Villages, which will earn him billions but will necessitate a massive infrastructure expansion. Impact fees, not rainy day funds (which are taxpayer dollars) should be used to pay for such infrastructure expansion.

Yes, the present impact-fee schedule (which gave the Developer a sweetheart rate of $901 versus $2,600 for ordinary builders) was adopted in 2015—i.e., before the massive expansion of The Villages was on the table. But it was supposed to be revised at least every 5 years. It was NOT revised when the Developer announced his massive expansion. Instead our taxes were increased. Why was this done? I think that the answer is obvious.

Why overturn One Sumter? I believe that there are valid reasons, but whether or not it is overturned we need to get rid of the Developer's toadies presently serving as Commissioners. That is the point I am trying to make, and I don't want to get sidetracked into a debate on One Sumter.

Will I be a candidate for the Board of County Commissioners? No. I am too old and don't know enough about local politics. My only objective is to see Commissioners elected who are honest, competent, and independent of the Developer.

Originally Posted by geobar (Post 1685034)

Thankfully we had moved from "Sumter County" 2 years ago.
In our 8 years there our R E Taxes went down appropriately 8 to 10%.

Why hasn't any group in "The Villages" or Resident in Sumter County contact the Attorney General about this unrepresented R E Tax restructure to benefit the "Morse Money Hungry Mogul's"?
The 5 Board members have been planted on the Board by the "Morse Money Hungry Mogul's".

Residents are being Screwed by the "Morse Money Hungry Mogul's".
Since when do Tax payers foot the bill for any Builders impact fees?
This is unheard of in any County or State in the "United States of America".

When Gary Morse was in control this was never was even a consideration.
He made it Affordable for new purchasers and residents in Sumter County.
Actually till Nov. 2018 the Sumter County R E Taxes were lowered for over 15 continuous years.
Now live with the GREED of the "Morse Money Hungry Mogul's" (Family).

How much money do they actually need?
Look up the Wealth of the Morse Family or Individually as I found this today:
"H. Gary Morse net worth: H. Gary Morse is an American entrepreneur who has a net worth of $2.5 billion. H. Gary Morse is the son of Michigan-born developer, Harold Schwartz".

Clean up "Sumter County Government" and the "Morse Money Hungry Mogul's" (Such a Shame)

Originally Posted by Velvet (Post 1685151)

You are welcome to subsidize any charity, including billionaires, if you want, but I prefer to chose my own charities.

Originally Posted by dewilson58 (Post 1685105)

As a Developer, developers try to maximize tax benefits and incentives while minimizing costs to develop a piece of land. This is Developer 101. It's not greed, it's business. If a city or county "gives too much away" (in the eyes of taxpayers), it's not a develop issue. The developer did a great job.

Originally Posted by dewilson58 (Post 1685113)

Absolutely.


That is why Homeowners need to be engaged in the City/County Budget process, not wait until the taxes are determined to cover the budget.


:icon_wink:

Originally Posted by Advogado (Post 1685164)

To address your points and questions:

Why no rainy day fund for the infrastructure? It is not raining. Instead, the Developer is massively expanding The Villages, which will earn him billions but will necessitate a massive infrastructure expansion. Impact fees, not rainy day funds (which are taxpayer dollars) should be used to pay for such infrastructure expansion.

Yes, the present impact-fee schedule (which gave the Developer a sweetheart rate of $901 versus $2,600 for ordinary builders) was adopted in 2015—i.e., before the massive expansion of The Villages was on the table. But it was supposed to be revised at least every 5 years. It was NOT revised when the Developer announced his massive expansion. Instead our taxes were increased. Why was this done? I think that the answer is obvious.

Why overturn One Sumter? I believe that there are valid reasons, but whether or not it is overturned we need to get rid of the Developer's toadies presently serving as Commissioners. That is the point I am trying to make, and I don't want to get sidetracked into a debate on One Sumter.

Will I be a candidate for the Board of County Commissioners? No. I am too old and don't know enough about local politics. My only objective is to see Commissioners elected who are honest, competent, and independent of the Developer.

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter (Post 1685198)

Did you parents ever complain about high taxes?Low impact fees?

Originally Posted by Advogado (Post 1685164)

To address your points and questions:

Why no rainy day fund for the infrastructure? It is not raining. Instead, the Developer is massively expanding The Villages, which will earn him billions but will necessitate a massive infrastructure expansion. Impact fees, not rainy day funds (which are taxpayer dollars) should be used to pay for such infrastructure expansion.

Yes, the present impact-fee schedule (which gave the Developer a sweetheart rate of $901 versus $2,600 for ordinary builders) was adopted in 2015—i.e., before the massive expansion of The Villages was on the table. But it was supposed to be revised at least every 5 years. It was NOT revised when the Developer announced his massive expansion. Instead our taxes were increased. Why was this done? I think that the answer is obvious.

snipped

Will I be a candidate for the Board of County Commissioners? No. I am too old and don't know enough about local politics. My only objective is to see Commissioners elected who are honest, competent, and independent of the Developer.

Originally Posted by njbchbum (Post 1685261)

The Village of Fenny [and the need for all of its infrastructure] was announced way before its first phase opening in June of 2017 - impact fee was $901 at that time and was not to be revised at that time according to your allegation...which would not be until 2020. So that expansion was announced and begun well before your idea of "massive expansion" - no? And your taxes didn't increase then - or for so very many years up to that point! Maybe the impact fee will increase according to your alleged schedule in 2020.


One is never too old to run for office to serve the people in an honest/competent fashion! Based on my assessment of your post, you seem to think you know quite a but about local politics!

Originally Posted by Velvet (Post 1685324)

You are right, it is beyond naive to expect developers would pay for anything in the long run. They are in business. (Calling a cat a cat is not bashing by the way, and to call it that is trying to Bamboozle everyone.) In the past those who benefited ie. the owners of the homes, were the ones that paid for infrastructure through bonds and maintenance. My parents, for example. That has changed. What is objected to by people right now from what I read is that in order to sell houses cheaply the current homeowners are asked to pay for the new infrastructure.

It is mentioned that in other jurisdictions this is the case. There are no other jurisdictions that are directly comparable to TV. Where is there farm etc land bought up, and developed for sale and other people living somewhere else are subsidizing this process? You can say it’s ok till the cows come home, but you know what is really happening.