All of the recent controversy about Morse Boulevard north of County Road 466 and west of U.S. Hwy. 441 can be answered in one simple response by the solicitor for the Amenity Authority and Sumter County: “Who owns the cart path that runs along Morse Boulevard?”
When Sumter County accepted responsibility for Morse Boulevard, did it include or exclude the cart path? If it was included, which is what appears on the Sumter County GIS map, then Sumter County is responsible for it and the maintenance. If the cart path is owned by the Amenity Authority Committee, then they are responsible for it and the maintenance.
If the members of the Amenity Authority Committee misuse funds for purposes outside their charter, then I think they may have a legal responsibility to face with the voters — be careful not to spend ratepayer funds for expenses outside the Amenity Authority Committee scope of responsibility.
Sumter County, however, is responsible for approving all the growth in the area to the north and east, apartments near Lowe’s and south along County Road 466, etc. Now, Morse Boulevard, Rio Grande Avenue and Chula Vista Avenue have suffered from increased traffic due to this growth.
The truth is, had Sumter County levied an appropriate impact fee for just this sort of peripheral impact, it would have funds to fix Morse Boulevard. That remains an ongoing debate in most areas surrounding The Villages — not nearly enough impact fees to pay for the effects of growth on the surrounding roads, communities, etc. Wake up, Sumter County voters — insist on appropriate impact fees to cover the growth!
So, have someone determine who owns Morse Boulevard and the golf cart paths running on both sides, and that is who is responsible to pay for the corrections to make it safe again. I think that is Sumter County!
I cannot help but wonder what percentage of Sumter County taxes are paid by residents of The Villages. Sumter County never seems to have enough money to fix the problems it creates without blaming or pushing the cost onto The Villages residents. Truth be told, residents of The Villages get little or nothing from Sumter or Lake counties but contribute a great deal in taxes. The least the county can do is pay for the problems it created with all the growth and no impact fees to pay for it!
By the way, remember to vote FOR Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposal to restrict property taxes! It is the only way that we will ever get local spending under control. Yes to impact fees, and yes to property tax relief! Put the burden for growth on those causing the additional spending, not the current residents.
Robert Nyce is a resident of The Villages.