Published September 19, 2003

THE VILLAGES - The public arm of The Villages purchased Little Sumter Utility from its commercial arm Wednesday night for roughly $86.4 million. Officials with the community development district said this will open the business operations of the utility to more public involvement, though critics of The Villages said the decision may ultimately hurt residents. The Villages Center Community Development District, the quasi-governmental body which operates most public services in the 40,000-resident community, said the transfer of the utility from the private sector into public hands will be beneficial to consumers on several levels. 

Now all considerations of rate changes and service alterations will be subject to Florida’s open government laws, allowing greater public input and participation. 

Some are skeptical however, especially upon hearing the price of the utility. “I am not sure they took into proper consideration the proper capital expenses in the future,” said Joe Gorman, president of the Property Owners Association in The Villages. 

The property had also been considered for purchase by Marion County Utilities, but director Vince Riccobono said the prospect of interlocal agreements and an apparent unwillingness by The Villages to sell to anyone but the VCCDD deterred them from exploring the option. Riccobono said he did not have the information to truly evaluate the price, but noted that when Marion County Utilities purchased a similar sized utility from Florida Water Services, the price was about $22 million. That purchase, though, included much merchandise that was 30 years old.