Residents north of 466 should make two decisions and call for action with their elected Amenity Authority Committee (AAC) Board Directors from their respective Districts (1-4) and the Lady Lake/Lake County.
First, should the AAC Take Back Its Powers? Powers established through a brave group of residents’ 2008 lawsuit that created the AAC and positioned it as a Board of Directors with operational and fiduciary responsibilities, or should they continue to function as a “committee” and be grouped with the PWAC (Project Wide Advisory Committee)? The AAC powers are clearly outlined in Exhibit B of the settlement.
In my February article, I discussed the two focused agenda items: 1) powers, and 2) a rate cap, for the AAC’s February 18th workshop. This workshop should have provided the information needed for the AAC Board of Directors to decide and move forward to represent you.
Over 100 residents attended the workshop on February 18, 2025, to demonstrate to the AAC Board of Directors their active engagement in the AAC’s decisions. Despite the strong turnout and shared concerns, the AAC Board of Directors has not updated its web pages. While this may seem less critical to establishing a non-adjustment/freeze of the Amenity fee, it is a straightforward action that only requires the AAC Board of Directors to instruct the District Staff to update the pages. Accuracy is vital for the AAC’s definition and to clarify the Board of Directors’ roles and responsibilities. However, this action requires at least four Directors to agree and vote to complete it. Let’s ask why an AAC Director wouldn’t want this updated correctly.
The second decision is whether the AAC should re-establish an Amenity fee non-adjustment, also known as an Amenity Freeze. Various terms like rate cap or deferral may refer to the same concept. Although these terms have subtle differences, I will use the language most closely aligned with the previously approved “Amenity fee non-adjustment/freeze” for clarity and supporting precedents.
The AAC Board of Directors and the VCCDD (Villages Center Community Development District) Staff have highlighted, escalated, studied, scrutinized, and debated these topics for years. The most significant timeframe was in 2010, when the AAC established a non-adjustment/freeze supported by the District Staff attorney in AAC Resolution 10-18. The AAC Board of Directors has a precedent legal opinion from the Central District Attorney on implementing the Amenity Fee freeze, which serves as a benchmark.
The biggest question is, why should you care? Well, here’s why… When the AAC Board doesn’t understand and use its powers, the Board may give those powers away. For example, in 2015, the AAC granted the Developer 300 amenity contract (one amenity contract is required for each home/residence) for Independent/Assisted Living. In 2020, the usage was changed to residential after pressure from the Developer and the District Manager during a 3-hour meeting with 400 residents. We nearly had a 4-story apartment building at Hacienda Hills Country Club, but ended up with 25 villas, thanks to the efforts of a team of residents and supporters.
As of April 2025, the AAC Board of Directors has not yet taken back its power despite the District Staff Attorney clearly outlining the AAC’s definition, roles, responsibilities, and powers at the February 18th workshop. If the AAC Board of Directors cannot direct the District Staff to update its web pages, it raises concerns about their ability to safeguard amenities against actions proposed by the Developer that may not benefit residents.
As a transplanted Texan, I say: “REMEMBER THE HACIENDA HILLS COUNTRY CLUB!”
Don Deakin, District 4, is encouraging fellow Directors to address the issues from the February 18th workshop. He may have support from new member Bill Williamson, Lady Lake/Lake Country, who emphasizes a resident focus. Unfortunately, Reb (Richard) Benson, District 2, and Jim Vacarro, District 1, were absent from the March meeting, leaving their stance on the issues uncertain.
With your help, we can ensure more AAC Directors will understand they represent YOU!
Let’s review the two agenda items and refresh your understanding of them. Then, determine how to convey your preferences to your elected AAC Board member.
The workshop had two main topics:
- Review of the AAC Powers, Limitations, and Implementation as stated in the 2008 Interlocal Governmental Agreement (IGA), which established the AAC from a resident lawsuit.
- Discussion/Debate whether the AAC can freeze/cap/defer amenity fees north of 466, which the AAC did in 2010, without being synchronized with the Project Wide Amenity Committee (PWAC), which advises on amenities south of 466.
I’ve previously explained the importance of having a knowledgeable and empowered AAC Board of Directors to protect your amenities.
Now I will explain more about the workshop and the two topics.
The AAC workshop on February 18th was well conducted and provided excellent information from the VCCDD District Staff and the Attorney.
First Agenda Item: AAC IS A BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The AAC needs to correct its web pages to accurately reflect its powers and responsibilities.
The workshop clarified that the AAC functions as a Board of Directors, not just an advisory committee. Despite this, most members do not prioritize updating the AAC website to reflect its legal role. Many believe “Committee” and “Board of Directors” are interchangeable.
I disagree, and you should too.
Second Agenda Item: RATE CAP DEBATE CONTINUES
The amenity rate cap proposal sparked considerable debate. Initially, the Attorney agreed that the Interlocal Agreement, Exhibit B, gives the AAC full authority to establish an amenity fee rate cap; however, he then indicated that, in his opinion, the listed limitations undermine their authority. Most people, including retired attorneys, disagree with his position.
It is frustrating that this unresolved issue was not on the March AAC agenda.
The AAC conducted its 2025-26 budget workshop on Wednesday, March 26th, and the rate cap was finally discussed. Mr. Carl Bell, a resident, stated that when he was on the AAC in 2010, he motioned to adopt resolution 10-18, which provided for a non-adjustment of the amenity fees for residents north of 466. He shared the history of the AAC and the District Staff, including the attorney’s due diligence in approving the non-adjustment of amenity fees. His information clearly shows precedence for the legal approval. The AAC failed residents again when it eliminated the non-adjustment in 2019 because the PWAC removed its own non-adjustment.
Both the POA in their March 2025 Issue and the VHA April Opinion realize the importance of the Amenity fee Freeze, Rate Cap, Deferral, or Non-adjustment, depending on what it should be called, to every resident north of 466. They may not wholly agree on the legality; however, the fact that both are addressing the topic tells you a lot is at stake.
Don’t be concerned or fearful that your amenities might deteriorate. They won’t. The AAC has a different financial portfolio with healthy reserves and a much smaller bond debt than the PWAC, which has extensive debt. The existing AAC bond debt will be paid off in 12 years, with approximately $12 million paid annually. The AAC has maintained, renovated, and rebuilt many amenity facilities and executive golf courses. It has added an average of about $10.6 million to its “Total Fund Balance” for the past 5 years, totaling over $126 million. Therefore, there is no need to worry that our amenities will suffer. Additionally, the proposal includes a review each year.
So, please realize that if there is this much discussion and debate, it’s time to pay attention.
As residents, you have various ways to communicate with your elected representatives. You can call them to discuss your concerns, request a meeting, email them individually or collectively as a Board, and attend meetings to share your thoughts at the podium for the 2 or 3 minutes they allow. I recommend that if you participate in the meetings and share your thoughts, you first write out your ideas and take them with you, providing them as a handout to ensure that your views are recorded as a permanent record. You elected your AAC Board of Directors to protect and maintain the affordability of these amenities. The Board members are there to support you!
https://www.districtgov.org/districts/committees/amenity-authority/
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Patsy Oburn is Community Development District 1 resident.