The Project Wide Advisory Committee chairman has suggested the Villages Daily Sun ought to charge more to help fund the costs of the weekly Recreation News insert.
The chairman made the comment during PWAC’s budget workshop held Monday morning at the District Office.
“I am trying to get the cost back down to the user,” said PWAC Chairman Peter Moeller.
He suggested that Daily Sun readers who want to receive the Recreation News in their newspaper could pay an extra fee.
“Are we paying for something that enhances their product? I think we are,” Moeller said.
The Recreation News appears in Thursday’s edition of the Daily Sun and copies of Recreation News are also offered for free at Recreation Centers.
PWAC member Steve Brown said much of the information in Recreation News is redundant.
“There is a lot of information that is the same issue after issue after issue,” he said.
District Manager Janet Tutt unveiled a new Recreation News funding formula based on recreation centers and where they are located.
She also said Recreation Center Director John Rohan has been working to reduce the size and costs of the Recreation News. That includes technological options, she added.
The total cost for Recreation News for the coming year will be $702,000, said Budget Director Barbara Kays.
Areas south of County Road 466 will be assessed $435,000. Areas north of County Road 466 will be assessed $190,000.
The remaining 10 percent of Recreation News costs will be paid by the Developer to cover recreation centers in the newest areas of The Villages.
PWAC member Jerry Vicenti added that he has heard plenty of complaints about recent changes to Recreation News.
“You only get so many words for your club. People say it’s not enough,” Vicenti said.