Community Development Districts
The Verandah Community Development Districts (Verandah CDDs) were responsible for the initial creation and maintenance of our preserves, lakes, and related storm water management system. Within the boundaries of the community are two CDDs: Verandah West and Verandah East. Verandah West CDD comprises approximately 777.9 acres and includes the western area of the community from the Main Gate to the walking trail behind Brantley Oaks and Lakeview Isles. Verandah East CDD comprises approximately 652.6 contiguous acres and includes the eastern area of the community from the walking trail behind Brantley Oaks and Lakeview Isles to the East Gate.
An Assurance of Quality and Value
The independent professional management of Verandah's CDDs safeguards the community's quality of life from inception to full build out. Residents enjoy enhanced and protected wetland preserves, storm water flood protection, and other benefits without having to wait for uncertain future municipal improvements. Verandah's CDDs are an assurance of quality for years to come.
Benefits to Residents of Verandah
Verandah’s land contains natural flow-ways and wetlands that are home to many species of Florida wildlife and birds. These natural areas along with an extensive system of inter-connected lakes form the backbone of Verandah’s water management system . These important features are professionally managed by the Verandah's CDDs to ensure their functionality and pleasing aesthetics in perpetuity for the benefit of those who live in Verandah.
How do CDDs Work?
Verandah's CDDs are independent local governments whose business must be conducted by law “in the sunshine” to provide residents with higher levels of transparency and services than a county or municipality might normally provide. A five-member Board of Supervisors, who are homeowners in the district, are elected to provide oversight. Revenues and services are professionally managed through a contract with a professional management firm. The management firm provides the CDD with a District Manager and field personnel. The Districts also engage the services of a professional engineer, an attorney, and other professionals as needed.
Created by Chapter 190 of the Florida Statutes and established by County ordinance, a CDD is an independent unit of special purpose government, whose sole purpose is to plan, finance, construct, operate, and maintain the infrastructure for the benefit of the community. In Verandah, the “infrastructure” created and maintained by our two CDDs consists primarily of the storm water management system.
The infrastructure costs of the CDDs are financed through the issuance of low interest 20 or 30-year special assessment revenue bonds. The debt from these bonds makes up most of the annual assessment from the district. Assessments are collected as part of each homeowner’s Lee County’s property tax bill each year. Revenues are managed and services are contracted, paid for, and professionally managed by Verandah’s CDDs through a contract with a professional management firm, Wrathell, Hunt and Associates, LLC. Each CDD has a Board of Supervisors—each Board has five seats. Board seats are filled via a balloted election process through Lee County. To be elected, you must be a homeowner in Verandah.
CDD Contacts:
Cleo Crismond, Operations Manager
Wrathell, Hunt and Associates, LLC
9220 Bonita Beach Road, Suite #214
Bonita Springs, FL 34135
(239) 498-9020 (239) 498-9038 (fax)