The Ave Maria Herald - AMSCD Board Told Budget Will Not Increase

AMSCD Board Told Budget Will Not Increase

Details: Published on Tuesday, 05 May 2009 17:00

Next year's budget for the Ave Maria Stewardship Community District will be no higher than the current year, district manager Todd Wodraska told the board Tuesday, meaning that assessments for Ave Maria residents will not increase. Mr. Wodraska submitted to the board for consideration a proposed 2009-2010 budget that is essentially the same as this year, saying that the level of expenditure this year is an "absolute maximum" for next year.

The fiscal year for the district, as for all such governing bodies in Florida, begins on Oct. 1. The board set Aug. 4, the date of its regularly-scheduled August meeting, as the date for formal consideration and adoption of the budget. Before then, it will be made available to the board and residents.

Mr. Wodraska said that he and Steve Ernst, who manages the Ave Maria Master Association, are looking for ways to cut costs as well.

One cost that will need to be accommodated in the proposed $2.1-million expenditures for operations and maintenance will be the purchase of new irrigation equipment that the board heard will save water and money over time. The cost of the system will be about $300,000 over two years, of which the district will pay about half, with the other half paid for through a grant from the South Florida Water Management District.

Ave Maria uses about 25 million gallons of water a year for irrigation, much of it purchased from the Lower Tamiami Aquifer, according to Barron Collier engineer Rebecca Acx, who presented the proposal at the district meeting. Mrs. Acx said that the new system, which uses soil moisture sensors monitored by a central computer, can reduce annual water consumption by 10 million gallons.

Gates To Be Added to Farm Roads Leading to Ave Maria

Tom Sansbury, a Barron Collier vice-president, updated the meeting on a number of other items.

Work will begin in a few weeks to control access to the town of Ave Maria from farm roads that lead from Camp Keais Rd. into parts of the town. The main thoroughfare from Camp Keais Rd., Pope John Paul II Blvd., is unaffected and will not be gated. The first phase of the project will gate-control two roads south of Pope John Paul II Blvd. that lead past Middlebrooke and into Bellera Walk and are seldom used by residents. Barron Collier still is studying how and where to gate the road north of Pope John Paul II Blvd., recognizing that this road is regularly used by residents of Emerson Park.

In other updates, Mr. Sansbury said:

Crimewatch signs will be erected in residential neighborhoods shortly. There has not been enough interest yet to begin the Community On Patrol (COP) service as only one person has volunteered. Under that program, the sheriff's department provides a car for patrol by residents, who can summon deputies in the event of any suspicious activity.
The cell tower being installed near South Park is planned to be operational Oct. 1. AT&T and Verizon will both be using the tower, and it will provide 3G service, Mr. Sansbury said. The tower has space for a total of five carriers, so more could be added.
An ATM will be operational in the town center this summer from TIB Bank.
Large color signs will be erected on Camp Keais Rd. directing people to the entrance to Ave Maria.

The AMSCD is scheduled to meet the first Tuesday of every month. The Ave Herald provides a preview of the agenda several days before the meeting.