The Villages lifestyle has always been defined by one thing: its amenities.
They are the promise, the product, and the reason people move here. The promised amenities represent the LIFESTYLE that The Villages sells to residents.  Some of those amenities are provided by the Developer, and some north of CR 466 are provided by the Amenity Authority Committee (AAC). And losing any amenity is a change in the Promise.

But in recent years, residents have watched that promise erode — not in theory but in visible, painful ways:

When the AAC Failed; Residents Protected Themselves

In 2020, when the AAC failed residents, I refused to accept that outcome. With the support of a resident volunteer team and over 200 residents, we built the research base and stood before boards and committees to argue that the AAC had more authority than it was exercising. Through persistence, documentation, and community pressure, we forced a complete reevaluation.

The result: the plan was reduced from 200+ apartments to just 25 villas.

If you rolled your eyes and thought, “here we go again, with this story,” then you need to recognize that you are part of the very risk of us losing more. We must continue to tell this history because it isn’t recorded anywhere. And our neighbors change continuously. Many of your neighbors probably have never heard of Katie Belles or Hacienda Hills Country Club. Our losses become urban legend. The residents of the Marbella Villas are honorary Hacienda North Social Club members who only hear anecdotally that they live on a spot where residents fought to preserve it as part of the Developer’s promise. And they are happy about this, since they love their new villas. Reality in The Villages is a time-framed perspective that constantly changes. And very few residents attend the AAC or CDD meetings to learn and understand how the Villages governs. Ignorance will allow more loss. The only potential protection is having a very engaged and skilled AAC Board of Directors.  The same for all the CDDs. Residents must engage.

This was not a small win — it was proof that:

  • When residents fight, we can protect our amenities.
  • When the AAC fails to act, we can lose them.

And that is why the 2026 AAC vacancy for CDD1 is so important. Each of the four Districts (CDD1-4) north of CR 466, and the Town of Lady Lake/Lake County portion of the Villages, which is mostly historic, provides one AAC Board member through a landowner election. The Developer appoints one representative from the Villages Community Development District (Center District), bringing the total to six board members.

The AAC is the only residentelected body with direct authority over how amenity fees are spent north of CR 466. When strong candidates step forward, residents are protected. When they don’t, we risk losing even more of the amenities that define our community.

This election is not routine.
It is a turning point.

Why This Vacancy Matters More Than a PWAC Vacancy

Many residents understandably confuse the AAC with the Project-Wide Advisory Committee (PWAC).
But the difference is fundamental:

  • The AAC has actual decisionmaking authority over amenities north of CR 466.
  • PWAC is advisory only — it makes recommendations, but the Sumter Landing CDD holds the final authority.

PWAC (advisory):
👉 https://www.districtgov.org/districts/committees/project-wide-advisory/

AAC (decisionmaking):
👉 https://www.districtgov.org/districts/committees/amenity-authority/

This means:

  • AAC members vote on budgets, capital projects, contracts, and amenity policies.
  • PWAC members advise, but do not decide.

For CDD1 residents, the AAC is the only place where your vote directly determines who controls your amenity system.

Why the AAC Exists — and Why It Still Matters

In 2008, residents north of CR 466 secured something rare in American retirement communities: direct, elected authority over their amenity system. The AAC was created through the:

This structure gave residents real operational authority over amenities in CDDs 1–4 and in the Lady Lake/Lake County portion of The Villages.

What the AAC Controls

The AAC has authority over:

  • Recreation centers
  • Pools and sports facilities
  • Executive golf
  • Trails and dog parks
  • All amenityfeefunded services

Official AAC page:
👉 https://www.districtgov.org/districts/committees/amenity-authority/

The AAC reviews and approves budgets, directs capital improvements, oversees contracts, and ensures that amenity fees are used responsibly and transparently.

For CDD1 residents, the AAC is the front line of amenity accountability.

CDD1 Needs a Skilled AAC Representative Who Communicates

The CDD1 board is diverse and operates effectively and efficiently. They benefit from the monthly AAC After-Action Review (AAR) rhythm, in which the CDD1 AAC Board member would provide an in-person review to the CDD1 on Friday after the AAC meeting on Wednesday. This information sharing is beneficial for CDD1. While the responsibilities are separate, there are similarities and various contracting issues that affect both.

  • Wednesday: AAC meets
  • Friday: CDD1 meets and needs a clear briefing

CDD1 official page:
👉 https://www.districtgov.org/districts/residential/one/

Unfortunately, the current AAC representative for CDD1 has chosen not to communicate with CDD1 at all — and has put this refusal in writing.

This is not an admonishment of his position.
The current representative shows passion and commitment.
But passion alone is not enough.

CDD1 residents deserve a representative who brings broader experience, stronger governance skills, and a commitment to consistent communication.

What Strong AAC Candidates Look Like

CDD1 has always been home to residents who step up when it matters as seen by the CDD1 Board. The AAC needs representatives who bring:

  • Definitive Business Skills (Finance, Legal, Construction, Contracting)
  • Integrity
  • Financial literacy
  • A willingness to ask hard questions
  • Respect for public process
  • A commitment to transparency
  • The ability to collaborate
  • A willingness to communicate consistently with CDD1

And now more than ever, the AAC needs candidates who meet three additional standards:

1. EvidenceBased Thinkers

AAC decisions affect budgets, contracts, and long-term amenity planning—they require logic, data, and clear analysis, as well as a willingness to conduct independent research and pursue outside-the-box solutions.

2. ResultsDriven Leaders

Residents deserve measurable progress, not motion without impact.

3. BroadScope Representatives

The AAC cannot be served by a onetopic candidate.

These expectations mirror the standards used for CDD1 Supervisors.

Qualifications to Run: To qualify as a candidate for the AAC seat representing CDD1, you must:

  • Be a landowner within CDD1
  • Comply with Sunshine Law and Ethics requirements
  • Attend monthly AAC meetings

These are not barriers — they are the foundation of responsible public service.

What’s at Stake: We can only vote for those who are willing to run.

  • amenity system stability
  • longterm affordability of amenity fees
  • quality and consistency of services
  • property values

During uncertain times, having the highestskill, most experienced, and most collaborative AAC Board should be every resident’s top priority.

Election & Qualifying Dates (Official 2026 Schedule)

Election Day:
📅 Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Seats on the 2026 ballot:

  • CDD1
  • CDD2
  • Lady Lake / Lake County portion of The Villages

Candidate Qualifying Window:
📌 May 18, 2026 → June 19, 2026

Where to File:
District Clerk’s Office
3571 Kiessel Road
The Villages, FL 32163
Contact: Jennifer Farlow, District Clerk
📞 3527513939
📧 [email protected]

There is no filing fee.

If You’re Interested in Running — I Can Help

If you are interested in applying for the AAC CDD1 Board of Directors position, I can provide information and help you understand how The Villages’ governance system works.

Previous editorial:

Patsy Oburn is a resident advocate in Community Development District 1.

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