If you have experience in construction, engineering, and contracting and live in CDD1, we need you!
As a Resident Advocate, I strive to identify risk areas in the lifestyles of Villages residents and take proactive steps, such as encouraging the AAC to Take Back Their Power and advocating for the ongoing AAC Rate Cap. In anticipation of a Villages CDD1 Board of Supervisors (BoS) vacancy, I am seeking skilled and dedicated candidates to create an ongoing pool of expertise, ready to apply for CDD1 Board vacancies or run for office during election periods. This pool could also provide a CDD1 candidate for the Amenity Authority Committee (AAC) potential vacancies or elections. Eventually, if desired by other CDDs, I will increase my area of involvement; for now, my focus is CDD1/CDD1 AAC.
CDD1 is a strong CDD with excellent leadership under Rocky Hyder, and he is advancing the CDD to higher professional standards. Under the current process, there is often less than 30 days for a vacancy to be advertised and filled; until recently, there was no job description or skill composition. CDD1 Chair, Rocky Hyder, has improved that situation. Here are some examples of a CDD BoS Job Description and the required skills to develop a diverse BoS that covers the CDD1 infrastructure responsibilities.
One of my goals is to create expert candidate pools, ensuring we have educated, trained, and informed candidates who are actively involved and learning, and who are ready to step up when vacancies arise and during elections. The current need is for expertise in construction, engineering, or contracting to prepare for the upcoming vacancy that will leave the CDD1 BoS without this critical skill set as they manage the infrastructure and maintenance budget.
The Villages are governed by Community Development Districts (CDDs), a Florida-wide government structure; however, the Villages add a unique element with its developer-based administrative staff, known as the Center District, as required by Florida statutes. All CDDs must have a District Manager, but the Villages operate a bit differently.
I have researched the Village’s governance and created a presentation called ‘The Rest of the Story’ that explains and educates residents and potential candidates about these differences. I ensure that candidates and board members I work with understand the unique governance of The Villages.
Are you interested in serving your community and having skills in construction, engineering, or contracting? Are you concerned about how the CDD1 BoS’s fiduciary decisions might impact our lifestyle and maintenance costs? If you answered “yes” to these questions, you could be a potential candidate for a CDD1 board vacancy. Getting involved in Florida and Villages’ local politics can seem confusing compared to where you previously lived, and you may hesitate to dedicate your retirement to serving on a board. My team and I can help you with this. This is one of the reasons I find being a Resident Advocate rewarding. I have extensive research and real-life experience in the Villages’ political arena, having personally gone through the process. I ran for CDD1 BoS to fully understand and experience the process, and I resigned so I could continue my more productive role as a resident advocate. However, I ensured that a highly skilled replacement was ready to step into my vacancy.
I work with some of the Villages Wizards—resident leaders who initiated much of the advocacy and intervention efforts over the years—and I am grateful to have built a small yet strong support team with many followers. Through collaborative effort, we can create many positive outcomes. The Villages CDD1 values dedicated, resident-focused, and skilled individuals to form a pool of candidates who understand the roles and responsibilities and are willing to prepare for the ever-changing Board of Supervisors.
This is your opportunity to make a positive impact on your community with your professional skills and expertise.
Why join the board? As a board member, you will:
• Play a key role in shaping the future of Villages CDD1.
• Ensure CDD1 funds are managed with proper fiduciary oversight.
• Collaborate with a dedicated team committed to the community’s infrastructure.
• Gain a rewarding experience by applying your professional knowledge to local governance.
Support and guidance: New to board responsibilities? Don’t worry! My team and I are here to provide:
• Training: Comprehensive preparation before you serve.
• Guidance: Ongoing support to help you understand processes and responsibilities.
• Assistance: Help to ensure your success in this important role.
How to prepare: If you’re ready to make a difference by sharing your expertise with the Villages CDD1 BoS, contact Patsy Oburn at Hacienda North for details. [email protected]
Be the change your community needs. Bring your professional talents to the table and help the Villages CDD1 thrive. Join us in building a brighter future—step up now to join a positive group of residents dedicated to creating ready, willing, and able candidate pools! For Villages CDD1 Board and CDD1 AAC!
Patsy Oburn is a resident of Hacienda North and can be reached at [email protected].