In a session arranged by the Villages Homeowners Association — North, District Manager of The Villages government, Janet Tutt, undertook the difficult job of explaining “Where Do Villagers Dollars Go?” Thursday evening at the Savannah Center. The VHA North represents residents of the Lady Lake/Lake County portion of The Villages, plus Community Development Districts 1-4, which are all north of County Road 466.
Tutt was gratified at the turnout of several hundred interested residents on a chilly, rainy night. Her data-rich slide presentation — an accountant’s dream — delineated in much detail — down to each line item — exactly how residents amenities fees, District government taxes and maintenance fees are spent.
Governance in The Villages is complex, because the community was built over several decades, and some policies have evolved during those years.
“Each homeowner and each district is governed on the basis of the covenants and agreements they signed when they purchased their homes,” she said.
She cautioned Villagers against comparing information between individual Villages or between Districts, because each has its own amount of rooftops (homes), underground infrastructure, rights of way and public landscaping, She gave the example of main road maintenance being the responsibility of District 4 in Marion County, whereas in Districts 1-3, Sumter and Lake Counties maintain the main roads — with the Districts only maintaining the villa roads.
Tutt explained how there is “Government in the Sunshine,” with all meetings, documents and discussions open to the public. She praised the elected residents who are District Supervisors and Amenities Authority Committee members for their guidance and prudent management of Villagers’ funds — keeping, and often reducing, annual taxes while maintaining the aesthetics and functionality of the areas. All districts are also building substantial reserves, to pay for future projects and in the event of hurricane or tornado damage. An example of one such contingency is the aging and obsolescence of the original irrigation system along the entire length of Morse Boulevard from U.S. Hwy. 27/441 to CR 466. Reserve funding is being invested safely for just such needs, to replace obsolete, worn-out infrastructure with state-of-the-art devices. In addition, all financial statements are reviewed by outside auditors and are available for resident scrutiny.
The mission of the district government staff is to provide responsible and accountable public service that enhances and sustains our community and provides and preserves the lifestyle of Florida’s friendliest hometown.
The districts were formed to build the special infrastructure for our unique community under Florida Statute 190, including water management and flood control, fire service, road and bridge construction, some road maintenance, recreation facilities, sewers, sidewalks, fencing and streetlights. The CDDs operate at a local, urban level without burdening county, state or federal governments. Tutt reviewed spread sheets for each district’s budget and expenditures. She also explained the capital projects undertaken by the Amenities Authority Committee, which comprises one board member from each numbered district plus an additional representative for the commercial districts.
Amenities fees for all newly purchased homes are now $145 per month, but depending on prior agreements at purchase time, occupied homes may have fees as low as $131 or as high as $155. monthly. “This doesn’t make a great deal of logical sense to me,” Tutt said, “but that’s the way it is.” She explained some homes amenities can be raised every year; others every three years, but the increases roll out to be the same percentage,in line with the consumer price index and are capped.
It has long been Tutt and the Board Supervisors’ goals to encourage more resident involvement at all steps in the governing process. Tutt mentioned the CDD orientations which are conducted every Thursday morning at 10 a.m.; and more in-depth Resident Academy sessions, which are held several times a year. She recently initiated “Welcome Wednesday,” where, beginning at 8 a.m., residents are welcome to interface with board supervisors at the District Offices on Lake Sumter Landing.
Tutt also invited residents to call or e-mail their district board supervisors by putting a ‘dot’ between their first and land names and adding the district suffix: [email protected]. She firmly believes the more residents know about how we are governed, and the stronger voice they input to the planning process, the better our community will be.