RSS
Print This Post Print This Post

What Incorporation Means For Lakewood Ranch

lakewood-ranch-incorporation-study-logoLakewood Ranch Incorporation Study Group Newsletter.

What Incorporation Means for Lakewood Ranch

Prepared by the Lakewood Ranch Incorporation Study Group

Newsletter #2:  WHY INCORPORATE NOW?

Some citizens in Lakewood Ranch have questioned if this is the right time to incorporate as a city.  They cite the tough economic times, foreclosures, short sales, and declining home values as reasons not to incorporate now. However, there are several compelling reasons as to why incorporation now is a good idea:

·        There is no benefit in waiting to incorporate.  Incorporation is economically feasible today, and will continue to be feasible going forward, even if there is no growth in Lakewood Ranch over the next 10 years.  (Note: The reality is that Lakewood Ranch actually is growing. In fact, year to-date through September 30, there have been 149 new home sales in Lakewood Ranch. This number is expected to grow to almost 200 by year end, and increase significantly again next year.  As a point of reference, the Incorporation Feasibility Study assumes only 174 new home sales next year.) The sooner we become a city, the sooner we will begin to receive Municipal Service Taxing Unit (MSTU) revenue ($1.5 million in 2011) and state shared revenue ($2.2 million in 2011). Every year that we delay means that we have permanently lost these funds, along with the corresponding opportunity to start to build needed reserves for LWR and improve services without raising taxes.

·        The sooner we become a city, the sooner we will begin to receive Municipal Service Taxing Unit (MSTU) revenue ($1.5 million in 2011) and state shared revenue ($2.2 million in 2011). Every year that we delay means that we have permanently lost these funds, along with the corresponding opportunity to start to build needed reserves for LWR and improve services without raising taxes.

·        The Incorporation Study shows a budget surplus resulting from collection of these taxes which are currently being collected by the county.  This surplus would actually allow us to weather economic storms like the one today—as well as real storms. 

·        Waiting longer also means that residents will be foregoing the opportunity to have much more control over important decisions that impact Lakewood Ranch. These include decisions involving planning, zoning, architectural standards, permitting, code enforcement, local laws and ordinances, economic development, assessment and use of impact fees, gate access, road repair, etc.

·        Assuming that residents ultimately support incorporation, we will continue to proceed in a deliberate manner making sure that the correct actions are taken at each step. It probably will take another 2-3 years to actually become a city. During this time, we can make adjustments to the overall plan and approach as necessary.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO GET INVOLVED

·        Forward this email to your friends and neighbors within LWR to ensure they are informed.

·        If your neighborhood or group has not yet attended a charter draft presentation meeting, please contact us via email at IncorpStudy@lwrdv.com. We will be happy to arrange a presentation.

·         If you are interested in joining the Lakewood Ranch Incorporation Study Group, please contact us via email at IncorpStudy@lwrdv.com.

·         If you want more detailed information on the pros and cons of incorporation, the incorporation process, FAQs, the charter, etc. visit our website at www.lwrdv.com/incorp

IF YOU DID NOT RECEIVE THIS EMAIL DIRECTLY FROM US AND WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE ON OUR EMAIL LIST, PLEASE RESPOND WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO IncorpStudy@lwrdv.com.

Posted as  a public service announcement by REAL Magazine. REAL Magazine takes no position on the incorporation of Lakewood Ranch. 

Share

Tags:

Leave a Reply


Featured Properties

Ads

REAL HAPPENINGS

April 2, 2020 Ringling Underground

April 2, 2020 Ringling Underground

CANCELLED Ringling Underground CANCELLED. Enjoy live music, and art in the Museum of Art Courtya[...]
CleanSlate Property Services Opens

CleanSlate Property Services Opens

CleanSlate Property Services, a local concierge handyman business. My name is Tim White, former [...]
March 5, 2020 Ringling Underground

March 5, 2020 Ringling Underground

Ringling Underground Returns. Enjoy live music, and art in the Museum of Art Courtyard 8:00pm -1[...]
March 6, 2020 Gettel Toyota Grand Opening

March 6, 2020 Gettel Toyota Grand Opening

You're Invited To Gettel Toyota Of Bradenton's Grand Opening. On Friday, March 6th, from 12pm-2:[...]
March 12-13, 2020 Pop Up Art Show

March 12-13, 2020 Pop Up Art Show

Sarasota Architectural Salvage Hosts Event To Support Local Artists. For more information and/or[...]
February 6, 2020 Ringling Underground

February 6, 2020 Ringling Underground

Ringling Underground Returns. Enjoy live music, and art in the Museum of Art Courtyard 8:00pm -1[...]
January 25, 2020 Spoons And Tunes

January 25, 2020 Spoons And Tunes

TheWineToBuy.com Hosts Innovative Wine Tasting. Tired of the same old BS? Then join TheWineToBuy[...]
February 7, 2020 Thunder By The Bay Kick Off Party

February 7, 2020 Thunder By The Bay Kick Off Party

White Buffalo Saloon Hosts Born To Be Wild! Join REAL as we kick off 2020's Thunder by the Bay. [...]
Curb Appeal Detailing Opens New Sarasota Location

Curb Appeal Detailing Opens New Sarasota Location

Auto Enthusiasts Take Note. Curb Appeal Detailing announced the opening of their new location i[...]
January 11, 2020 National Hot Toddy Day

January 11, 2020 National Hot Toddy Day

How To Warm Up On A Chilly Day. Today is National Hot Toddy Day! A hot toddy is a delicious drin[...]
Anheuser-Busch Launches New Hard Seltzer

Anheuser-Busch Launches New Hard Seltzer

Bud Light Seltzer Arrives Just In Time For The Super Bowl! Anheuser-Busch is launching a new har[...]
Ocala Gains New Urgent Care Center

Ocala Gains New Urgent Care Center

StatMed Urgent Care Center Ocala Opens January 2, 2020. StatMed Urgent Care Center is a step abo[...]
New Year's Eve 2019-2020 Tow To Go

New Year's Eve 2019-2020 Tow To Go

Everyone Have A Safe New Year’s Eve Tonight! Tow to Go is a partnership between AAA & Budweiser.[...]
Wyze Labs Data Breach

Wyze Labs Data Breach

Multiple Data Breaches Exposes Information Of 2.4 Million Customers. Wyze Labs' low cost, inter[...]
Westbound SR 70 Southbound I75 Ramp To Close

Westbound SR 70 Southbound I75 Ramp To Close

8 Months of New Detours Loom Large! Starting at 11 p.m. Thursday, January 2nd, the westbound on-[...]
Wawa Data Breach

Wawa Data Breach

Wawa Facing Wave Of Lawsuits Over Data Breach. On December 10, Wawa's information security team [...]
December 26, 2019 Deck the Halls @ Ca' d'Zan

December 26, 2019 Deck the Halls @ Ca' d'Zan

Ca' d'Zan All Decked Out. On December 26th, from 5:00pm – 8:00pm join The Ringling for Deck the [...]
January 22, 2020 Ringling's Wisconsin Pullman Tour

January 22, 2020 Ringling's Wisconsin Pullman Tour

Private Tour of the Wisconsin Pullman Car. Join Jennifer Lemmer-Posey, Tibbals Curator of Circus [...]
Commercial Investment Division Changes Name

Commercial Investment Division Changes Name

RASM Commercial Division Now Know As Commercial Real Estate Alliance. The Realtor Association of[...]
December 3, 2019 GivingTuesday

December 3, 2019 GivingTuesday

Join the GivingTuesday Movement. GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the po[...]
Translate »