A split Community Development District 2 board has voted to go rogue and put down centerline striping on the multi-modal path within its borders.
The board went against the advice of a traffic engineer who had prepared a $5,300 report with an indemnification clause warning against striping.
CDD 2 Supervisor Bryan Lifsey blasted the report as “a total waste of our money.”
“The Kimley-Horn opinion cost more than the paint job,” he said.
Based on the centerline striping done in CDD 4, Lifsey estimated the job could be done at a cost of $1,000 per mile.
The board received a stern warning from District Counsel Valerie Fuchs who advised them not to go against the advice of their engineer.
“You raise your own risk of liability when you go against the opinion of your hired professional,” she said.
Chairman John Blum made it clear he was opposed to ignoring the engineer’s advice. He reminded supervisors they had made a commitment to the Multi-Modal Path Discussion Group.
“We agreed to go along with the results of that committee. We made a commitment,” Blum said.
He cited two golf cart accidents that took place in CDD 4 post striping.
Blum also said he did not want the board to reach a reckless decision that could put a burden on the residents as well as putting CDD 2’s reserve funds at risk.
Don Simson, an 18-year resident of The Villages, said the board would be blindsiding the residents by making a decision without their input.
“The residents need to know we are assuming the liability,” Simson said. “You paid a company good money to give you an opinion. You have an attorney you paid good money to give you advice.”
The board voted 3-2 to move ahead with centerline striping.
Lifsey, Marty Rothboard and Bill Schikora voted in favor of centerline striping.
Blum and Barton Zoellner voted against it.
CDD 4 Supervisor Don Deakin commented on CDD 2’s vote for striping.’
“It means we are no longer a rogue district,” Deakin said. “It means we are a trend-setting district.”
