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Cory Lake Homeowners Speak Against Fee Increase

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LAURA KINSLER

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 19, 2008

CORY LAKE ISLES - Homeowners rebelled Thursday night against a proposed budget that would increase their community development district assessments by $540 next year.

"I think the increase in fees, in this economy, is unacceptable," George Castillo said. "Every homeowner here is outraged."

Earlier this month, the CDD board released its proposed 2009 budget that was nearly $600,000 more than the current budget. Security costs would go up 50 percent because of the board's new contract with Wackenhut. The extra $165,000 buys more diligent gate officers, a sophisticated computer and camera system, and nightly patrols.

But homeowners who filled the beach club for a town hall meeting called the extra services unnecessary.

"We do not want to pay … higher fees," Shiraz Irani said. "Gas prices are through the roof, food prices are through the roof, and the security? You might be great, but we don't want to pay $500,000 for it. We're not Fort Knox; we're Cory Lake Isles."

The board signed a short-term contract with Wackenhut in May and plans to seek bids for a security company later this summer. Board supervisors said the contract was a response to community complaints about lax security and constant vandalism in the gated community.

Homeowner Ron Fitzgerald complained that the new patrols had not stopped vandals from damaging the beach club earlier this month.

"This security thing got ramped up too far too soon," Fitzgerald said.

Security costs are not the only reason for the proposed increase. For the first time, the budget would include a $265,000 reserve fund and allocate $200,000 for capital improvements, including refurbishing the beach house.

The CDD board will reconsider the budget at its July 16 meeting.

Reporter Laura Kinsler can be reached at (813) 865-4844 or lkinsler@tampatrib.com.

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