Re: "Power and Profit: How a Special District Bond Divided a Sarasota-area Neighborhood"

The article presents a misleading view of the circumstances surrounding the University Park Recreation District.

For the initial formation of the District, the purchase of the Country Club, and the current capital improvement plan, referendums were held in which a majority of homeowners voted in favor. These decisions were not made unilaterally; they were the result of transparent, democratic processes.

The District's Board of Supervisors is composed of elected homeowners and residents who serve without compensation and in full compliance with Florida's Sunshine Laws. Our mission is to maintain first-class facilities that support diverse resident lifestyles and protect the value of our homes. The golf course is central to this mission, not only for recreational use but also as a scenic and environmental asset that enhances the aesthetic appeal and property values throughout the community.

The ability to issue bonds for long-term capital improvements is a prudent financial tool. It allows the District to responsibly match the cost of 30-year improvements with the users who will benefit over that same period. This approach avoids placing the full financial burden on current residents. In many cases, the interest paid on these bonds is lower than the return homeowners could expect through conservative market investments.

As in any managed community, whether governed by a homeowners' association, recreation district, or private corporation there will always be some dissent. Mr. Matt leads a small but vocal group that opposes the direction supported by the majority. As your article acknowledges, his claims have been reviewed and dismissed by the Circuit Court, the Manatee County Board of Commissioners, the Florida Ethics Commission, and the Florida Bar Association.

The community now awaits the outcome of Mr. Matt’s appeal to the Florida Supreme Court. Regardless of that decision, the need for these improvements remains. Communities that neglect their infrastructure inevitably see a decline in home values and desirability. A strong majority of homeowners, along with the District Board, are committed to maintaining University Park Country Club as one of the premier residential communities in the Sarasota-Manatee region.

Steven Ludmerer
12-Year University Park Homeowner and Former UPRD Board Member