[SarFred]

We just got a letter from the VCDD telling us of a hearing on Sept 1 which has to do with new assessments on maintenance and benefits. It will add another $1200 a year for us, but I don't really understand the whole process. What do they mean, and is the hearing an opportunity to protest this additional cost? How is this being broken down, and is this just for new homeowners? Is everyone having to pay more now? We are moving there in October. Thanks for any information --- it's kind of a confusing letter. Even at the end they say, "it is the district's intent to utilize the uniform method of collection beginning Oct. 1 2009 and for each year thereafter until discontinued for a year. Failure to pay the assessments will cause a tax certificate to be issued against the property which will include loss of title." This is scary. What do they mean?

[English Ivy]

We have not received (at least yet) a letter such as you're referring to so I'm not sure what it means.

We received a postcard from VCDD #7 regarding the public hearing about the annual budget and maintenance assessment for district 7. This postcard also stated our annual maintenance assessment for unit 136 in district 7 will be $482.83. It didn't mention anything about tax certificates filed against the property.

I do remember last year receiving a letter around this time which showed what our estimated taxes were going to be. I think it also showed the maintenance and debt/bond assessments because they are paid with our taxes. Maybe that's what you received. Are you sure the letter was from VCDD or from Sumter County?

[SarFred]

I think we figured it out! The letter was from VCDD but it stated stuff we already knew ---- it's the bond and maintenance that we already included in our estimate of costs. In other threads (not on the new to the villages forum) it was explained clearly, but the letter was confusing. A bunch of other folks have gotten letters too, and I think it's districts 7 and 8 that are receiving them because they are the newest villages. Evidently the newer you are the higher your bond. Not a surprise. But at least it's not an extra $1200. We were a little freaked out by that. Thanks for your reply!

[Bettiboop]

Glad you figured it all out. An extra $1200.00 would be enough to freak anybody out!