Letter to GP POA on Irrigation Questions (PDF) (RTF)
Letter to GP POA on Revised Irrigation AGMOD Allocations (PDF) (RTF)
Transmittal Letter to GPHOA on Revised Irrigation AGMOD Allocations (PDF) (RTF)
Transmittal Letter to GPHOA on Submission of Water Conservation Plan (PDF) (RTF)
Response Letter to GPHOA on Irrigation Matters (September 2022), Letter 8.15.2022, 549308 – Irrigation Rate Study (2018) (PDF) (RTF)
Response Letter to GPHOA on Irrigation Matters (October 2022) (PDF) (RTF)
549308 – September 13, 2018 Public Hearing Presentation on Rate Study (PPTX)
Joint Statement on behalf of the West Villages Improvement District and the Gran Paradiso Property Owners Association regarding settlement of ongoing irrigation-related dispute:
The West Villages Improvement District (WVID or the District) and the Gran Paradiso Property Owners Association (GPPOA) have recently reached a settlement, resolving a three-year case involving irrigation water.
As part of this settlement, both parties have agreed to dismiss the remaining litigation with prejudice. Additionally, the District is working cooperatively with the GPPOA to return irrigation water service to Gran Paradiso residents. Once restored, Gran Paradiso will be held to the same terms and conditions as other irrigation water customers throughout Wellen Park and will ensure past irrigation services have been paid in full. The GPPOA has also agreed to convey a +/- 1.43 acre parcel to the WVID as part of the settlement.
Furthermore, the WVID Board of Supervisors remains committed to conducting open and public meetings in compliance with Florida’s Sunshine Law. While the District continues to dispute allegations that it violated the Sunshine law and disagrees with a preliminary ruling it likely committed a violation when posting a notice five days prior to a meeting instead of seven, it respects the preliminary ruling and will continue to take proactive actions to ensure compliance with Florida’s Sunshine Law.
Every day, the District reliably supplies millions of gallons of irrigation water to homeowners’ associations, property owners’ associations and commercial properties throughout Wellen Park at a fraction of the cost of available alternatives. The lawsuit filed by the GPPOA in 2022, which was initiated by a previous Board of Directors, contended the rates were not low enough and sought to void the agreement between the two parties .Over the past three years, Gran Paradiso refused to pay for irrigation water services at adopted rates that applied to all other customers, which resulted in the WVID Board of Supervisors agreeing to a water use permit modification and stopping delivery to the Gran Paradiso community.
The WVID is appreciative of the new members of the GPPOA Board of Directors who have worked in earnest to repair the relationship between the District and the GPPOA. As a newly-installed Board of Directors, the current GPPOA Board of Directors regrets the personal attacks and allegations made by its predecessors, recognizes the value and low cost of the WVID irrigation services compared to the alternatives, and understands that continued litigation will only lead to higher costs for Gran Paradiso and WVID residents.
The WVID and the GPPOA collectively view this resolution as a constructive step forward that allows both parties to resolve differences outside of the court system. Together with the GPPOA’s recent decision to voluntarily dismiss a second related lawsuit involving four members of the WVID Board of Supervisors, the parties believe that this outcome reflects meaningful progress toward a more productive working relationship in the future in the best interests of their constituents.
WVID Board of Supervisors Reaches Settlement in Assessment, Urbanization Litigation
The West Villages Improvement District (WVID) Board of Supervisors has reached settlements in two recent legal cases, both of which have been dismissed with prejudice.
In June 2025, the District settled litigation filed by Jeffrey O’Sullivan and John Coughlin challenging the WVID Board of Supervisors’ 4-1 decision to levy special assessments as part of the fiscal year 2023-24 budget.
In September 2025, the District reached a settlement with David Fernstrum regarding the Board’s adoption of urban area maps, which were previously used to determine Board of Supervisors’ turnover timelines.
As part of both settlements, the plaintiffs were required to take all necessary actions to ensure full dismissal of the cases with prejudice.
The WVID views these settlements as a productive step forward, enabling the District to focus on delivering timely, coordinated and cost-effective infrastructure management throughout the community.
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For more information, updates and resources related to ongoing irrigation water issues and discussions, please click the button below.
About the District
The West Villages Improvement District (WVID) was created in 2004 by a Special Act of the Florida Legislature, pursuant to and under Chapter 189, Florida Statutes. The WVID is a limited, single and specialized purpose local government, whose purpose is to assure timely, cost-effective and high-quality and implementation of infrastructure for the district.
The WVID has the authority to plan, finance, construct, operate and maintain public infrastructure within Wellen Park. The district currently spans more than 12,000 acres within the city of North Port and unincorporated Sarasota County. Residential neighborhoods, commercial centers and the Atlanta Braves’ spring training stadium are all located within the district boundaries.
The WVID is governed by a five-member Board of Supervisors, who are elected to a term of four years. The District has the authority to borrow money, issue bonds and levy and impose special assessments, user fees and charges.