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1. What is a CDD?

A Community Development District (CDD) is a special County taxing entity that provides funds for local infrastructure improvements and possibly recreational facilities. Julington Creek Plantation (JCP and River Oaks Plantation are part of the same CDD.  Some JCP communities that existed before the CDD was created voted not to pay the taxes, and therefore, are not included in CDD membership. (An owner in these neighborhoods is not considered a CDD member, and may not use the members-only recreational facilities unless an annual recreational fee is paid). So our CDD area contains most, but not all, of Julington Creek Plantation, and all of River Oaks Plantation. The CDD fee is assessed along with regular property taxes. The CDD has a Board of five Supervisors who own property in the CDD area. The CDD Board of Supervisors operates under the CDD Rules and Procedure documents and its Supervisors are considered public officials, subject to both Florida “sunshine” laws and Chapter 190, “Community Development Districts,” of Florida statute. Board Supervisors must be CDD members (meaning they must own property in a CDD neighborhood). They are elected by their fellow CDD members as part of annual County elections. Supervisors are compensated for attendance at their Board meetings. CDD Board meetings are the second Tuesday of each month and are open to the public.

2. What's the difference between a CDD and a POA?

Julington Creek Plantation has two organizations that are responsible for community planning and asset maintenance:
The Community Development District (CDD) and
The Property Owners Association (POA).
The CDD is responsible for the main recreational facilities and for the common grounds along Race Track Road and State Road 13 that border our community. The POA is responsible for the rest of the common areas and for promoting compliance with community covenants. Each organization has a Board composed of property owners elected by their peers to oversee these respective functions.

The day-to-day operations of the CDD are performed by the employees in the CDD Business Office and Facilities Managers working from the Plantation Club. The governing body for the CDD is the CDD Board of Supervisors. It meets on the fourth Thursday of every month to review its business operations.

The daily management of POA responsibilities is performed by the Property Managers, currently contracted to Vesta Property Services. Vesta coordinates other contractors performing property maintenance, services property owner requests, and notes covenant infractions.  The governing body for the POA is the POA Board of Directors (BoD). It meets on the second Wednesday of every month to review operations, contractor reports, committee activities, and homeowner requests.  There are several standing committees and sub-committees that advise the Board of Directors. For BoD meetings and Committee information, you can contact the POA at (904) 503-4915.

3. What are the responsibilities of CDDs and POAs?

Julington Creek Plantation Community Development District is a local unit of special purpose government, authorized by Chapter 190 of the Florida Statutes as amended. The District was established on August 15, 1994 by Florida Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission rule, Chapter 42-T-1.001-1.003, Florida Administrative Code, as an alternative method of planning, financing, constructing, operating, and maintaining various public improvements and community facilities within its jurisdiction. The District provides the ‘solution’ to Florida’s need to provide valuable community infrastructure generated by growth, ultimately without overburdening other governments and their taxpaying residents. Community development districts represent a major advancement in Florida’s effort to manage its growth both effectively and efficiently. This allows a community to establish higher construction standards, meanwhile providing a long-term solution to the operation and maintenance of the community’s facilities.  See the State of Florida's website for more information.

The CDD is responsible maintenance of:

• Irrigation and landscaping between Racetrack Road and the sidewalk
• Community land bordering St Road 13
• Plantation Club Recreation Center
• Sports Plex by the Recreation Center
• Aquatic Complex on Durbin Creek Blvd.
• Basketball courts on Durbin Creek Blvd. 
• Plantation Park on Davis Pond Rd

The JCP POA is responsible for:

• Irrigation and landscaping on common grounds within JCP
• Neighborhood entrances
• Community boundary fences
• Storm water management system and detention ponds
• Common amenities such as bike racks,  pet stations, lighting (as indicated above), neighborhood playgrounds, benches, and signage
• Administering covenant compliance and enforcement issues
• Assisting homeowners with change requests to be submitted to the Architectural Review Committee

4. What fees are associated with membership?

CDD and POA funds are used for operating and maintenance of the items listed in the Responsibilities section.  Both organizations are required to also have a reserve fund for large or unexpected expenses.           

Annual CDD Fees:

• Assessed only on neighborhoods within the CDD area
• Set according to type of dwelling (multi- vs. single-family)
• Set in July by the CDD Board
• Noted on the property tax statement*
• Payable with property taxes*
• Entitle households to use recreational facilities (additional activity fees may apply)
• Persons who are not charged a CDD fee may use recreational facilities upon paying membership dues

Annual POA Fees:

• Assessed on all property owners
• Assessed equally**
• Set in the annual budget planning and development process and approved by the Board of Directors
• Assessment notices are mailed by the Property Manager in December
• Payable in January

*Mortgage payments that collect property taxes include CDD taxes.  Otherwise, these taxes are assessed along with regular County taxes and are listed as a separate line item in the tax bill.

**See the POA website for current fee amounts.  Gated communities pay an additional assessment for property management, and condo fees if applicable.