1. Who governs the CDD?
The CDD is governed by an elected Board of Supervisors. They are elected during a general election of the registered voters within the District; much like a City Council Member. The Board of Supervisors each serve a 4-year term and are governed by the State of Florida and The Florida Sunshine Laws and Disclosures of an elected public official.
2. What does my assessment cover?
Your annual assessment is derived into two parts; the Dept Portion and the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) portion:
The Debt Portion is the amount proportionately owed by each homeowner within the District in order to pay the issued bonds (loan) that paid for the District’s original infrastructure (roadways, sidewalks, lakes, landscape, irrigation, entry features, storm drains, street signs, street lighting, security structures, etc.).
The Operations and Maintenance (O&M) portion applies to the general day-to-day administrative fees and costs as well as maintenance and repair of the infrastructure and general administrative functions (attorneys, engineers, board meetings, website maintenance, mailings, landscape maintenance, lake maintenance, insurance, utilities, security services, etc.). Insurance for the District, Audit expenses and various annual contracts are detailed in the CDD budget listed under Financials
3. Can I pay off the assessment?
Yes, the Debt Portion may be paid off in full. For a pay off amount and procedure, contact Management at this link: Email CDD Management
4. How is the assessment collected?
Assessments are collected uniformly by the Miami-Dade Tax Collector as a “non-ad valorem” assessment on your Miami-Dade County Tax bill and are paid directly by the owner or via a mortgage holder escrow, beginning November 1st of each year.
5. What is the difference between a CDD and
my Homeowners and/or Property Owners Association (HOA)?
CDD's are governmental in nature, functioning closer to a city government than an HOA. The specific scope of the services are prescribed in a creation ordinance from the City of Homestead and Miami-Dade County; delegating certain public functions to the CDD. CDD's construct and manage utility and drainage (lakes) and collection systems, roads, landscape buffers, and in some cases security services. Similarly, HOA's serve to benefit of the property owners and are self-governing, but are subject to limited collection and enforcement powers and duties outlined separately under state law. HOA's may not use tax exempt finance and are not eligible under FEMA rules for emergency clean up in most cases and a CDD qualifies as local government. CDD's also use the County Tax Collector for their assessments. CDD's have less liability under sovereign immunity, which significantly reduces insurance costs.