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Want special districts information? Read fast
By JOSH ZIMMER, Times Staff Writer
Many homeowners find understanding their community development districts challenging enough. Under Gov. Jeb Bush's proposed budget it would get harder. His $54-billion budget would do away with the Florida Special Districts Information program. "It doesn't fit into DCA's (the state Department of Community Affairs) core mission. And everyone understands money is tight, and we're looking for ways to save dollars," agency spokeswoman Ann Rowe said. Special districts are governmentlike entities with power to raise taxes for specific purposes -- installing new street lights and benches, for example -- within a given geographic area. CDDs, which have bond-issuing power, are a type of special district. They are becoming increasingly popular across Florida because developers do not have to put up their own money. The program, which can be accessed for now at the DCA Web site at www.floridaspecialdistricts.org, is relatively barebones. It doesn't allow people to obtain copies of the various financial documents CDDs are required to file with state agencies every year. But they get information on any special district, such as the names, addresses and phone numbers of registered agents. The program also makes available a copy of a 125-page handbook -- now downloadable for free on the Web site -- that explains how special districts operate. Through the program, people also can get a list of different agencies that receive the various financial documents special districts must submit each year. Rowe is not sure whether the Web site would be eliminated, as well. Joe Gorman, a homeowner association president at a CDD 75 miles north of Tampa called The Villages, said the information is valuable and that the Web site should remain. Gorman said he can easily access the development's financial documents by simply going to the CDD's office in The Villages. But residents at other CDDs, whose management offices are out of town, are not so lucky. Two examples are Heritage Harbor in Lutz and Heritage Isles in New Tampa. Most of their documents are filed at the CDD manager's main office in Coral Springs. "Any information provided by the state that's organized well and focuses on a particular issue . . . is worthwhile," Gorman said. "I would like to see this one continue." -- Josh Zimmer covers Keystone/Odessa, Citrus Park and the environment. He can be reached at 269-5314 or zimmer@sptimes.com .
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