I am writing as a longtime resident of Loxahatchee Groves. I have lived here since 1979 and have served our community in the Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association, the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District and the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council.
On June 25, I will be voting my 5 acres in favor of the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District becoming dependent to the town.
Since October, the town now has responsibility for all the roads, and admittedly, many of the roads are a mess. The repair of our road system comes down to one issue — money! If the district becomes dependent to the town, assessments already paid to them will then be available to repair these roads. If the district remains independent, none of their assessments can be used on the roads. However, the town will still have the responsibility to improve them. The town will need to charge its own assessment based on acreage to fund all road maintenance. If the district becomes dependent, assessments may be reduced by using their available funds. Road repairs can begin sooner.
District dependency will simplify government for the residents:
• One election per year for the council members based on one vote per person. No longer would there be a second election based solely on acreage owned and proxies collected.
• One phone call for issues in our town.
• One legal firm instead of two.
• One engineering firm instead of two.
• One administrator instead of two, etc.
• Fewer meetings to attend or view online.
The current LGWCD supervisors and the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council are in favor of dependency. We worked together with local legislators to get this bill passed in Tallahassee and signed by the governor. This is our best chance at simplifying the confusing, and sometimes conflicting, higher-cost governance we now have. It will not be easy nor financially feasible to try again if dependency fails.
It’s time to move forward. It isn’t 1917 anymore. If you have questions, or wish me to vote your proxies, please call me at (561) 215-7668. Hopefully, it will be the last time voting by this method.
Dave Browning, Loxahatchee Groves
Editor’s note: Mr. Browning is a member of the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council. He has served as mayor of Loxahatchee Groves since incorporation.
