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Know the Facts

This website is updated regularly to address resident questions.
Updated: November 2023

Current Status

On Oct. 9, 2023, Circuit Court Judge Danielle Brewer ruled in favor of the City of North Port, denying the West Villagers for Responsible Government’s request to review the city’s decision to reject its petition for de-annexation or contraction from municipal boundaries.

The court ruling stated that there was “competent substantial evidence to support the City’s decision to reject” the petition to de-annex or contract from municipal boundaries. It also noted the City complied with all of the essential requirements of state law when rejecting the WV4RG de-annexation petition.

On Nov. 8, the WV4RG filed an appeal with the state’s Second District Court of Appeal.

What does this mean?
The state’s Second District Court of Appeal will now decide whether to uphold the Court’s ruling that the City of North Port was within its rights to reject the WV4RG petition to de-annex Wellen Park from the City of North Port or send the issue back, yet again, to the North Port City Commission with instructions on how to proceed.

Overview
Wellen Park is a master-planned community that will ultimately be home to more than 50,000 residents and 22,500 homes. A significant portion of Wellen Park falls within the City of North Port and comprises District 5.

As the developer of Wellen Park, we strongly oppose the West Villagers for Responsible Government (WV4RG), Inc.’s efforts to de-annex, or contract, all lands west of the Myakka River from the City of North Port. They represent a small minority of voices and have led their campaign and legal fight with misrepresentations of the truth and unsubstantiated claims about what de-annexation ultimately means for local residents.

WV4RG has made the following inaccurate claims:

  • Wellen Park residents are being grossly overtaxed and overcharged by the City of North Port.
  • Wellen Park isn’t really part of the North Port community and was illegally annexed.
  • Leaving the City of North Port to be part of unincorporated Sarasota County will likely save every homeowner $7,500-$15,000 or more in property taxes over the next decade with no reduction in municipal services.

Here are just some of the facts:

  • The City of North Port is a fiscally responsible entity that operates with the best interests of all residents.
  • In 2002, the area then known as West Villages, was formally annexed into the City of North Port in accordance with Florida state law and the annexation was unchallenged during the allowable timeframe.
  • If de-annexed from the City of North Port, property owners may see minimal property tax savings but an increase in assessments or additional municipal service taxes that would create a net increase in costs. These additional costs include reimbursements to the City for improvements made to water/wastewater utilities and other essential services, such as EMS, police and fire.

 Wellen Park, LLLP opposes the WV4RG petition because it does not reflect the wishes of the majority of Wellen Park residents, it infringes on our property rights as a developer and it would immediately halt all development progress in Wellen Park.

City Commissioners are acting responsibly and in the best interests of all residents by opposing the de-annexation, not just the few individuals involved in the WV4RG petition.

Our focus remains on continuing to develop Wellen Park for the ultimate benefit of everyone in our region who has a shared interest in creating a thriving, successful community in North Port.

Please contact Wellen Park, LLLP with any questions, comments or concerns at info@wpfactstoknow.com.

Master-Planned Community Facts

  • The City of North Port Public Safety Building, which opened in April 2022, was constructed on land donated by Wellen Park, LLLP, valued at $6 million, and funded by Wellen Park, LLLP, at a cost of $13 million, to be paid back from impact fees collected in the new community over 20+ years.

  • Wellen Park, LLLP, has invested more than $335 million to-date on entitlements, infrastructure, utilities, parks, trails and improvements to develop the master-planned community.

  • Approximately $70 million has been spent specifically to provide adequate water and wastewater facilities, based on Wellen Park, LLLP’s awarded and future development entitlements within the City of North Port.

  • Wellen Park, LLLP has deficit-funded the West Villages Improvement District and infrastructure costs in the amount of $32.7 million, as there have not been adequate fees from the West Villages Improvement District bonds to pay for roads and infrastructure to-date. The land entitlements – rights granted to Wellen Park, LLLP by the City of North Port – ensure that recovery of funds for the developer. Even if Wellen Park were de-annexed, those funds are still owed back to the developer; they cannot be wiped out through de-annexation.

Resident Facts

  • Every homeowner was presented with information at the time of execution of their contract that their home was located in the City of North Port and the West Villages Improvement District.

  • By purchasing a home and living in the City of North Port, the property owners of IslandWalk, Gran Paradiso, the Preserve, Renaissance, and Oasis have accepted and continue to accept the privileges and benefits provided to them by the City of North Port and the West Villages Improvement District.

  • The City of North Port provides certain privileges and benefits to its residents. Some are provided directly by the City and others are arranged for by the City through interlocal agreements with other municipalities. Those benefits include:
    1. Fire rescue
    2. Police
    3. Emergency medical services
    4. Solid waste collection, recycling and disposal
    5. Water and wastewater services
    6. Park and recreational facilities and services

West Villages Improvement District (WVID) Facts

  • The WVID is a separate and distinct entity from the City of North Port and Wellen Park, LLLP.

  • The WVID was created by the Florida Legislature in 2004 to support the development of the West Villages area. Also known as an improvement district, the WVID is a limited, single and specialized purpose local government to handle irrigation, stormwater management, roads and other infrastructure to the District. The area governed by the District is approximately 11,000 acres

  • The WVID helps enhance Wellen Park’s beauty, security, prominence, economy and community partnerships and specifically manages areas such as parks, roads, water, infrastructure and other improvements to public property.

  • The WVID is not responsible for police, fire rescue or emergency rescue services, which are handled by the City of North Port and Sarasota County.

FAQS

What does de-annexation or contraction mean?

Contraction” means the reversion of real property within municipal boundaries to an unincorporated status.

Why does Wellen Park, LLLP oppose de-annexation/contraction?

Wellen Park, LLLP opposes the WV4RG petition because it does not reflect the wishes of the majority of Wellen Park residents and it severely infringes on our propert rights as a developer. These property rights were awarded through numerous negotiated terms, such as density and capital reimbursements for deficit-funded infrastructure. Lastly, it would immediately halt all development progress in Wellen Park.  

What can I do as a resident to oppose the efforts for de-annexation/contraction?

Share this information with your neighbors so they also know the facts. Contact the City of North Port Commission to express your opposition. You can send one email to all five Commissioners and copy the City Manager with this email address: commissioners@cityofnorthport.com. Write a letter to the editor of local newspapers to express your opposition to de-annexation.

How did West Villages become a part of the City of North Port?

It was formally annexed into the City in 2002. The property owners initiated the process by petitioning to annex their property into the City of North Port in accordance with the process laid out in section 171, Florida Statutes. Because the property met the requirements for urbanization and annexation specified by state law, the City Commission adopted ordinances annexing it into the City.

What is the West Villages Improvement District and what does it do?

The West Villages Improvement District (“WVID”) is a separate and distinct entity from the City of North Port and Wellen Park, LLLP. The WVID was created by the Florida Legislature in 2004 to support the development of the West Villages area. Also known as an improvement district, the WVID is a limited, single and specialized purpose local government to handle irrigation, stormwater management, roads and other infrastructure to the District. The area governed by the District is approximately 11,000 acres.

The WVID helps enhance Wellen Park’s beauty, security, prominence, economy and community partnerships and specifically manages areas such as parks, roads, water, infrastructure and other improvements to public property. The WVID is not responsible for police, fire rescue or emergency rescue services, which are handled by the City of North Port and Sarasota County.

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