Woodlands Neighborhood Improvement District: What’s On Your Mind?

By Sharon Aron Baron

Residents will have two choices in May: whether to vote YES or NO for the Woodlands Neighborhood Improvement District.   If you have attended the meetings or have read the minutes on our website, then you are more informed than most residents.

As an initial proponent of the District, I stood behind its formation of it and even helped design the website.   I even applied to be a board member but wasn’t even a contender, which was just as well because Larry Torn was adamant about me giving up this website to serve.

I believed in the District.  Not only did we need security improvements in the Woodlands, but having our everyday expenses taxed would make the nonpayers in my section finally pay their fair share.

Yes, this was going to be about getting everyone to pay their fair share and getting some much-needed improvements in the Woodlands.

It wasn’t until I understood that by the board voting on an AD VALOREM tax, did I understand what my neighbors here in Section Four would be paying.  You see, not only have my neighbors in my section been faithfully paying a couple of hundred dollars each year to make up for the deadbeats, but if the taxing District passed, they would be punished again by having to pay an extra $400 to $1,100 a year, just for the roving patrol costs.  Costs that should be only cost $250 a year.

After speaking to Tamarac Public and Economic Affairs Officer Andy Berns,  I understand why the District could not go with a NON AD VALOREM tax (where everyone pays the same).    The way it’s being voted on now, there would only be one election, and they can adjust the funding in the future.    With the non ad valorem tax,  a vote would have to be taken each year to fund the District.

The biggest problem with the Ad Valorem tax is the inequities among our neighbors. Neighbors in the Woodlands will be paying so much more taxes for security and improvements based on the value of their homes. This will be something for each person to weigh in on as well.  If they believe the benefits outweigh the increase in taxes, then it would be wise to vote yes.