Woodlands Neighborhood Improvement District Meeting – Goals

District meeting held on March 17th

The Woodlands Neighborhood Improvement District met on March 17th to discuss old and new business.  Residents signed up to speak and share their thoughts during the public participation portion of the meeting where over 45 residents attended at the Section 6 clubhouse.

The District voted to apply for a “seed grant” for dependent neighborhood districts where they could receive an initial $15,000 to help fund it.  The application will be made to the city commission.   If referendums are passed, only $7,500 will need to be reimbursed.  If no referendums are passed, the district will not have to pay back the money.

Larry Torn stressed to everyone to quit calling it gating,  “The district is about security.”  Torn, who is not a fan of gating the community, suggested the use of security cameras instead.  Torn said cameras would be a much better option for the Woodlands as they have been successfully used to cut crime in many neighborhoods including Lighthouse point.

These are some of the goals of the district and what it will fund.  However, anything that’s proposed will be voted on by the homeowners:

The board emphasized is that all district funds will go towards items that affect the community as a whole, not individual owners or sections.  Also, the district will be beneficial in getting neighbors to pay their fair share, especially the $210,000+ budget for BSO.   There are many homes that are not paying their dues, and there are two sections in the Woodlands that do not have mandatory dues.   These sections have residents that choose not to pay dues at all,  therefore, are not paying their fair share.

Woodlands Neighborhood District Board of Directors including the Director of Community Development from the City of Tamarac, Jennifer Bramley

Dues that are currently paid in each section for beautification and security will be placed as a line item on each homeowners property taxes so that everyone must pay. By paying for these items through our property tax, residents also benefit in a deduction on income tax, unlike the monthly dues we currently pay now.  Remember: This will go out to the homeowners for a vote before any changes are made.

There are homeowners who don’t agree with the district and have signed a petition to abolish it. The City of Tamarac does not agree and voted to postpone discussion of the petition until 2012. Board member Taylor White said, “We must get rid of the invalidity of the board.  The detractors are keeping the board from going forward.”    The district and it’s work are far behind schedule because of the residents who have created the petition.  They do not agree with the reasons that the WHOA recommended the district and the City of Tamarac voted to create it.  This has been causing many outbursts and interruptions at district meetings and has delayed discussions between the members.  “Everyone is putting the horse before the cart.   Give us a chance to offer options,” said President Mike Jula.

During April’s District meeting, the board will create subcommittees to help research and discuss options for our community.    On Thursday’s meeting, a public information committee was formed and will be led by Ed Brown.  After the meeting, two residents signed up to be on this committee.

The next District meeting will be held April 21st in the Section 6 clubhouse at 7pm.  Remember, if you would like to speak, then sign the form before the meeting.   The district meeting is very much like a City meeting or WHOA meeting and does not have audience participation.   Because of Sunshine Laws, meetings are the only time that board members can speak with one another and discuss the items that need to be addressed.  This is why it’s important to give them the time and respect to allow them to take care of the items on the agenda.