What does the district do?
The flood control district is responsible for the operation and maintenance of flood control measures that protect the residents and commercial properties in the district. The district facilities include the ponds in the golf course, drainage and outlet structures serving those ponds, and a levee along the river.
What annual maintenance is required?
The district is responsible for removing accumulated silt from the ponds, managing aquatic vegetation, clearing debris that may block water flow, and performing any repairs to district drainage and pond outlet structures.
What is the annual budget of the District?
The district has an annual operating budget of approximately $300,000, a copy can be found in the financial documents link. In addition to operations, the debt service fund has an annual budget of approximately $1,800,000. These numbers vary annually, the most recent financial audit can be found in the Tax and Financial information link.
Does the district maintain an emergency fund?
Yes, the district currently has approximately $800,000 in a “rainy day fund” to address any unexpected expenses or maintenance that might exceed the annual maintenance budget. The reserve funds are held in a fully insured interest bearing account with the District’s bank that provides some return on investment while maintaining liquidity should a “rainy day” occur.
How much of our tax payment is used to pay debt?
Approximately 83% of all tax receipts is used to pay bond debt. The total tax rate proposed for 2027 is $0.27265/$100 valuation, with $0.047 used for maintenance and operations and $0.22565 used for debt service. The annual tax rate worksheet and notice can be found on the Notices link.
How has the tax rate varied over the years?
The district tax rate was fixed at $0.30/$100 valuation for many years. With the refinancing of the bonds in 2015 the district has been able to maintain a rate at or below that level since that time, and reduce the rate slightly over the past 6 years while continuing to accelerate debt repayment.
What is the current tax collection rate for the district?
For the past five years, the district has achieved a 99.5% tax collection rate and continues to pursue payment of outstanding taxes. We have levied and collected approximately $10,000,000 over the past 5 years, with only about $50,000 outstanding at this time.
What is the history of the District’s debt?
In 1992, upon creation of the district, a total of $8.4 million in bonds were sold to construct district improvements. The district declared bankruptcy shortly thereafter and the court set a fixed tax rate at $0.30/$100 to make payments on the debt with no maturity date. By 2016, this bond debt had accrued unpaid interest of $7.4 million in addition to the initial principal, for a total accrued and unpaid debt of $15.8 million. On May 9, 2015, voters of the district authorized the issuance of up to $16.5 million in bonds to refund the 1992 bonds and pay the accrued interest, and on May 1, 2016 the district issued $15.8 million in bonds with a maturity date of 2038.
How much Debt does the district currently have and when will it be paid off?
As of September 2026 the district has approximately $6 million in bond debt remaining and, at our current payment rate, we anticipate full retirement of the debt in 2030-31. The Board has aggressively repaid the debt since 2019, saving the taxpayers over $1.4 million in interest payments thus far, and a projected 8 years of tax payments. The most recent bond debt worksheet can be found in the Tax and Financial information link.
What happens with the debt is paid off?
The Board’s stated goal is to have another governmental entity take over the maintenance responsibilities of the district and to permanently dissolve the district. Should that not be achieved, the operation of the district would continue with the tax rate reduced to only the level needed to fund operations and maintenance.
Who runs the district?
The district is overseen by an elected volunteer three-member board that is assisted by a team on contract professionals for legal, accounting, auditing, engineering and tax collection services. There is no full or part-time staff.
What are the qualifications to serve on the Board?
Board members are required to be a resident or taxpayer in the district. All current board members meet one or both of those requirements. Board member information can be found in the Board of Directors link.
When and how often does the board meet?
The Board generally meets monthly but may cancel a meeting if there is no business to conduct. Meetings are normally held on a Tuesday at noon in the first week of the month at a location in the district. In accordance with State Law, we are required to meet in the district if possible, or a location convenient to residents nearby if not possible. Please check the main landing page of the website to find current information about the next posted meeting.