WEST VILLAGES IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
C/O Special District Services, Inc. 19503 S. West Villages Parkway #A3 Venice, Florida 34293

Nov. 23, 2022

RE: Notice of West Villages Improvement District’s Intent to Suspend the Provision of Irrigation Water to Gran Paradiso

Dear Gran Paradiso Resident,

Overview
The West Villages Improvement District (WVID) has informed the Gran Paradiso Homeowners’ Association (Gran Paradiso HOA) of its intent to suspend irrigation water for non-payment, effective Nov. 25, 2022. In lieu of paying its invoice, the Gran Paradiso HOA filed a complaint and motion for an injunction on Nov. 21 to attempt prevent WVID from suspending its irrigation water service in accordance with state law and the WVID’s contractual agreement with the Gran Paradiso HOA. An emergency hearing on the injunction motion has been set for Dec. 9. To address potential media inquiries, the following media statement has been drafted.

Statement
The West Villages Improvement District (WVID), the legal irrigation utility for Gran Paradiso and other communities within the district boundaries, notified the Gran Paradiso Property Owners Association (Gran Paradiso HOA) of its intent to suspend irrigation water services due to non-payment. The decision to suspend irrigation water services was made after careful consideration and in accordance with state law and the WVID’s contractual agreement with the Gran Paradiso HOA.
Fees for irrigation services provided between July 2022 and September 2022 were due Nov. 11, 2022. The Gran Paradiso HOA was informed of the intent to suspend irrigation water service on Nov. 14, 2022, and was given a 10-day notice of intent to suspend services for non-payment in accordance with state law and the WVID’s contractual agreement with the Gran Paradiso HOA. The WVID followed the same type of process that a city or county must follow when suspending electric or other utility services during a period of non-payment.
The Gran Paradiso HOA’s refusal to pay their third quarter 2022 fees is the first time it has refused to pay its fees. It is also the first time that any homeowners or property owners association has disputed the district-wide irrigation rate and fee schedule since it was established in 2018 as a result of an independent rate study. When commissioned, the rate study was publicly vetted with community

members given ample opportunity to weigh in on the proposed rates and fees before the WVID Board of Supervisors approved the fees at a public meeting.
Over the past few months, the Gran Paradiso HOA has made a variety of inquiries and public information requests concerning the WVID irrigation system and fee schedule. Additionally, the WVID held a meeting on July 13, 2022, with the Gran Paradiso HOA about the irrigation system, providing them with ample opportunity to ask questions and raise concerns. The WVID staff has promptly and cooperatively responded to questions from the HOA, providing it with timely information to prevent a disruption in services. More specifically:
On May 19, the WVID sent a letter to Gran Paradiso HOA President Steve Glunt in response to numerous questions, including about the Water Use Permit and the irrigation program within the District. Also on May 19, the WVID sent a letter to Mr. Glunt in response to questions about the irrigation water allocations.
On July 13, the WVID held a public meeting with residents, including Gran Paradiso HOA officials, to provide an overview of the irrigation program and answer questions from community members.
On July 20, the WVID sent a letter to Gran Paradiso HOA President Mr. Glunt providing information about revised allocations of irrigation quality water. The WVID also sent a letter to Mr. Glunt on July 20 informing him that the Gran Paradiso HOA had not submitted a conservation plan to the District, a requirement of the water use permit.
On Sept. 6, the WVID responded to a letter sent by Gran Paradiso HOA Attorney Joseph Herbert, which asserted a variety of incorrect claims about the irrigation system. The WVID responded to a second letter from Mr. Herbert on Oct. 25, which again asserted incorrect information about the WVID’s irrigation program.
On Nov. 4, the WVID received a letter from the Gran Paradiso HOA attorney indicating its intent to not pay the October 2022 irrigation invoice, due Nov. 11.
The Gran Paradiso HOA is invoiced using the same fee structure as the other homeowners and property owners associations located within the WVID. While not necessary to impose or collect fees, the WVID also entered into a separate contract with the Gran Paradiso HOA, which further outlines payment obligations and the process for the suspension of irrigation water in the event of nonpayment.

The WVID hopes that this information is helpful and, despite the current circumstances, looks forward to an amicable resolution with the Gran Paradiso HOA and will continue to follow the process outlined by state law to seek a cooperative partnership with the HOA for the benefit of its residents and landowners. Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me at (941) 244-2703 or wcrosley@sdsinc.org.

Sincerely,

William Crosley District Manager