Catch up on what has happened in 2017

This past year has been a busy one for Indian Train Improvement District. I have been negligent in updating this blog but many of the stories have been posted on my Betty Argue Indian Trail Improvement District Facebook page.

Here are some highlights of the year:

1. We fired the District Manager and Finance Director for failing to comply with the State Statute requiring fully audited Financial Statements by March 31st. This failure occurred 4 years in a row and is unacceptable as it is one of the most important requirements ITID meets as a Special District.  Indian Trail Board Abruptly Fires Manager And Finance Director
2. We hired a firm to provide interim District Manager services for 6 months. When the 6 months was up, we appointed Rob Robinson, the Director of Operations and Maintenance for District Manager. ITID Dismisses Manager, Taps Robinson As Interim Manager
3. The District Manager is the most important position of the District. It requires someone who has strong managerial skills, field work experience, understanding of statutory requirements, financial management experience and must be someone who is ethical and has an understanding of the District and our community wants and needs. We will be interviewing candidates who applied for the permanent position on January 24th. ITID Supervisors To Interview Manager Candidates On Jan. 24
4. The Acreage Community Park North Expansion project has continued but has had some set backs due to permit delays and issues. I continue to oversee the park project. I am determined to see the project to completion with minimal delays and expense to our taxpayers. Latest Timeline Has ITID Park Project Wrapping In March
5. My work ethic came under fire with fabricated allegations of interference by other Board members, unsubstantiated allegations of spending too much time in the office and ultimately resulted in the removal of me as Treasurer Indian Trail Board Removes Betty Argue As Treasurer as well as the refusal to reconsider after tremendous community outcry regarding the board’s actions ITID Board Refuses To Reconsider Removing Argue As Treasurer
6. The Board has remained committed to traffic calming for our District ITID OKs FDOT To Design Traffic Calming On 140th . The pilot program for traffic calming on 140th should be completed in January.
7. Despite Board discussion and commitment to Strategic Planning in September, it has been shelved. It is my belief, that strategic planning is absolutely essential for the future of our District. Hopefully, in 2018, the Board will move forward with it. Indian Trail Agrees To Hire A Strategic Planning Consultant
8. We have remained focused on flood control issues and are committed to finding long term solutions for our District Indian Trail Board Discusses Future Flood Control Strategies
9. Road Maintenance has suffered this year due to an excessively wet season compounded by Hurricane Irma and a tropical depression that followed. Our roads were further impacted by the debris removal and utility trucks. In 2018, our Director of Operations and Maintenance is committed to providing solutions which include replenishing road rock material throughout the District. ITID Staff Studying Whether To Buy Or Lease New Graders
10. Our 2017-18 budget is focused on improved drainage infrastructure ITID Budget Will Focus On Drainage Using In-House Personnel
11. Our District has continue to have to deal with more development proposals in our area. After GL Homes was approved for increased density on their Indian Trails Grove property late in 2016, they came in this year with a proposal to expand the Ag Reserve to their Indian Trails Grove property and to transfer those units to property they own in the Ag Reserve in the South. This proposal has enormous benefits for our community, the western communities and the County as a whole particularly due to the preservation of 5000 contiguous acres in active agriculture and/or water storage solutions but none more than the impact of traffic which we do not have the infrastructure to handle. Ultimately, GL Homes pulled their proposal from the Planning and Zoning calendar for 2017. We will hopefully see a revised proposal that will be beneficial for our community and limit the impact on our area. KEEP INDIAN TRAILS GROVE GREEN & PRESERVE YOUR LIFESTYLE!
12. With respect to development, we had a win when the County denied the IOTA Carol application for increased density on their property. I expect we will hear more from their owners by the end of 2018. County Commission Rejects Iota Carol Land Use Change
13. The development of the City of Westlake has been continuing full force this year, with the ground breaking for their first home occurring in July Minto Breaks Ground On First Homes In Westlake Community
14. As part of the Minto development approvals, they donated land for a new fire station to be built for our area. Hopefully we will see this project completed in 2018. Minto Donates Land For Permanent Fire Station At Westlake
15. Also as part of the Minto development approvals, the expansion of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road has moved along and should be completed in early 2018. Minto Spending $25M To Enhance Westlake Entrance
16. Lastly, there were efforts for incorporating the Acreage which ultimately did not move forward in this legislative year. I am sure there will be discussions that will continue in 2018 ITID Board Hears About Acreage Incorporation Plans