Frustrated officials are growing tired of paying for upkeep at dead Villagers’ homes.
Three deed compliance cases were up before officials in public hearings Friday at Savannah Center.
One of the cases involved the home at 2264 Margarita Drive in the Village of Santo Domingo. It was heard by Community Development District 2 supervisors.
The home was originally purchased by Daniel and Janet Zehnal in 1998 for $136,600. Beginning in 2020, the elderly couple sank into a turbulent period of their marriage with Daniel Zehnal arrested several times. He was eventually living in his car and spending long periods of time hanging out at recreation centers. He died in 2021. Janet Zehnal died on Aug. 31 of this year.
A complaint was received Sept. 4 by Community Standards regarding overgrown grass, overgrown bushes and weeds.
The property is in foreclosure with a notice of sale scheduled for Feb. 12.
Supervisor Ronald Baxa expressed frustration that CDD 2 will be paying for the upkeep of the property which will be sold at auction. He lamented the fact that too often there isn’t any money to recoup from the foreclosures. It’s a sentiment that has been shared by other officials in The Villages.
However, at least one fellow supervisor said the burden of upkeep serves a purpose for the neighborhood.
“We are sort of stuck in that we are a government organization. Ultimately, it comes down to neighbors and spending the money to maintain the property so the neighborhood looks reasonably good,” said Supervisor Tom Swiers.