SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – As more new special development districts break ground across the Suncoast, area officials warn they could mean higher tax bills and traffic congestion for those buying into these communities.
From state lawmakers to county commissioners and national reform leaders, stakeholders reacting to a recent Suncoast Searchlight investigation into the potential dangers of these independent government districts called the reporting revealing.
Most cited “buyer beware” and said they themselves would never choose to live in these districts, pointing to the investigation’s findings of escalating fees and a lack of say over who serves on the governing boards. Officials echoed the sentiment that many homeowners in these communities don’t understand what they’re getting into and are then left with few options to fight back when decisions turn contentious…