We, the undersigned residents and property owners of Two Rivers, respectfully petition the Community Development District (CDD) Board to reconsider the proposed Operations and Maintenance assessment increase and to provide greater transparency before approving a budget that will significantly impact every homeowner in our community.

 

We recognize that inflation, rising labor costs, utilities, and maintenance expenses are real, and we understand that reasonable assessment increases may sometimes be necessary. This petition is not an objection to responsible spending, it is a request for transparency, accountability, and meaningful resident involvement in decisions that directly affect our households.

 

The proposed budget would increase Operations and Maintenance spending a tremendous amount in a single budget cycle. Depending on lot size, homeowners would also see annual assessment increases as well. 

 

The proposed budget also includes new spending categories that were not included in the prior year’s budget, in addition to a substantial increase in the landscape maintenance contract. Many residents have also expressed concerns regarding the quality and consistency of landscaping services currently being provided and are seeking a better understanding of the justification for this increase.

 

Our concern extends beyond this year’s assessment. Our understanding is that approval of this budget would establish a higher maximum assessment ceiling for future years. If future assessments remain at or below that ceiling, residents generally would not receive another mailed notice before those increases take effect. Because of the long-term financial implications, we believe this decision deserves the highest level of transparency and public engagement.

 

We respectfully ask the CDD Board to:

 

1. Provide a detailed, publicly available explanation for each significant budget increase and every new spending category.
2. Explain the basis for the proposed increase to the landscape maintenance contract, including the scope of services, performance expectations, and whether competitive bids or alternative proposals were considered.
3. Demonstrate what cost saving measures, efficiencies, or budget alternatives were evaluated before proposing this level of assessment increase.
4. Consider reducing, postponing, or reprioritizing non essential expenditures where appropriate.
5. Commit to improving communication and transparency with residents regarding future budget decisions and assessment increases.

 

We chose to make Two Rivers our home because of its affordability, quality of life, and strong sense of community. As residents who fund these operations through our assessments, we believe we deserve a clear understanding of how our money is being spent and confidence that every dollar has been carefully evaluated before additional financial burdens are placed on homeowners.

 

By signing this petition, we are respectfully asking the CDD Board to prioritize transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of the community’s resources before approving this proposed budget.

 

Thank you for considering the voices of the residents you serve.