On July 22, there was an article in Villages-News.com about a planned Habitat for Humanity 60-home complex on Rolling Acres Road outside the Town of Lady Lake. Naturally Habitat for Humanity, a well-known and very well-respected organization immediately asked the Lady Lake commissioners to annex the property so that the new development would have all the benefits of the Town of Lady Lake residents ie. police, fire, water and sewer etc.
There was mention in the article that there would be no “flipping” of property. Government cannot regulate the sale of property no more than they can control the ultimate parking nightmare that these developments are famous for. I looked at the proposal. Where is the parking area? All those kids grow up to drive cars. Every house has at least two cars to start and then add the kids in 10 years, and you have chaos. The cars won’t fit in the driveways. Where will they park? I am certain this will be addressed long before annexation is approved!
Of course, one commissioner could not wait for any information to voice her support: “We could certainly use more affordable housing,” said Commissioner Treva Roberts. I am sure Habitat for Humanity took that as an indication of support even though no justification was given for Lady Lake to support the project.
It made me think. Doesn’t anyone ask any questions before offering support for something as important as annexing more property into the Town of Lady Lake? Did they not learn from the last attempt to annex the non-contiguous Grand Oaks? Why don’t they ask any questions and stop the head nodding!
Who is representing all of the existing residents of Lady Lake, not the proposed new residents but the best interest of the current residents? It seems that, especially those residents of Lady Lake that live in The Villages are taken for granted. That would be a mistake, because we cannot be expected to pay for the errors in judgement of the Commission regarding expansion and water and sewer services which I explain below.
Commissioner Roberts this spring announced, at a neighborhood meeting, that Lady Lake is facing a serious problem with sewer and may be looking at millions in upgrades. Then how is it that they could even consider annexing anything? Who will pay for it, taxpayers or ratepayers? It better be ratepayers!
Consider this:
First, Lady Lake Commission has approved almost every single request for annexation before it, except for the Grand Oaks request last year. And that was so obviously flawed that even they could not justify it. However, they did justify providing water and sewer to the huge apartment complex and office structures in Sumter County at the intersection of County Road 100 and County Road 466 in addition to annexing all of that property from County Road 100 to the Lady Lake border, Hammock Oaks and Walmart. They also approved several other apartments that seem to be stalled but probably still are in the works and other annexations. Lady Lake got no increase in assessed value for the properties in Sumter County since they are all non-residents.
Second, the three wards of Lady Lake located within The Villages get their water and sewer from The Villages directly. So, these residents have already paid for and continue to support The Villages water and sewer systems. Just because water and sewer is billed with recreation fees does not make it any less obvious. Oh yes, and we pay sewer fees on water that goes in the ground for sprinklers right now. Therefore, residents of The Villages are paying for sewer not processed. Since municipal services are funded and paid for by users, The Villages residents cannot be charged for upgrades to water and sewer that they do not get. Therefore, the cost of all of these upgrades caused by the annexing and expanding of Lady Lake should exclude those of us who reside in The Villages. Commissioners cannot expect residents of The Villages to pay twice, once for the actual services we receive, from The Villages, and a second time to support the water and sewer services provided to all of those outside The Villages that get services from Lady Lake. That would be challenged immediately in court as totally unacceptable. So, how is the water and sewer service paid for in Lady Lake, by customers or taxpayers? Somebody should know!
Second, last year the Commissioners increased property taxes by 15 percent even though property tax revenue over the prior 8 years went up by almost 70 percent. Yes, property tax revenue increased much faster than inflation because property values in The Villages and surrounding areas increased exponentially. So, with all of this growth and new assessed value coming to Lady Lake, why the need to increase the property tax rate? Assessed values keep going up over time so there really was no justification to increase the rate. In fact, the Governor’s office of Efficiency is now looking at municipalities that are abusing their taxing authority with over-spending while increasing property taxes.
Third, last year, commissioners extended their terms without the need to stand for re-election first by placing a Charter Amendment on the ballot. And now, I think they want a pay increase!
Fourth, who has recommended the need for low-income housing in Lady Lake? Can anyone justify this need or is it simply assumed without any data to support the issue?
I am not, nor would I challenge the good works of Habitat for Humanity. But, that is not the issue. The issue is whether or not the Town of Lady Lake can afford to continue annexing property without first considering the effect on existing residents. They may be creating the need for low-income housing they want to help solve by constantly expanding the Lady Lake budget. If they ask the two wards of Lady Lake, to whom they provide water and sewer to pay for this required upgrade to the sewer system, there will be questions, many questions.
My advice is to simply say NO! Once in a while, consider the facts and stop voting on emotions or good intentions. Everything costs something or somebody. Lady Lake Commission simply has not yet figured that out!
Robert Nyce lives in the Village of La Reynalda, which is within the limits of the Town of Lady Lake.