A $443,543 hike in the Amenity Authority Committee’s share of the Community Watch budget could prompt a workshop on the topic.
In September, AAC member John Wilcox raised concerns about the increase when he noted the AAC budget for Community Watch has jumped from $2.1 to $2.5 million.
Wilcox argued the gates in The Villages are useless.
“We say we are a gated community. We are not. We are a community with gates. Anybody can get in here at any time,” Wilcox said.
Since that Sept. 7 AAC meeting, Wilcox has put many questions regarding the gates and Community Watch to District Manager Janet Tutt. You can read his questions and her answers HERE
The biggest chunk of the ACC increase for Community Watch is $292,631 allocated for automatic license plate recognition updates at the gates. You can read more about that HERE
Another $114,000 is the AAC’s share of the $300,000 increase in personnel costs at Community Watch. Those costs include an increase in part-time hours for dispatchers and gate attendants at the Morse Boulevard, Village of Sunset Pointe and Del Mar gates.
And $59,000 of the AAC’s increase for Community Watch includes an increase in the management fees and vehicle replacement.
The topic is on the agenda for Wednesday’s ACC meeting. It will take place at 9 a.m. at Savannah Center.
According to the AAC agenda packet, the body may schedule a workshop to further look at the increases.
