The Villages (population: approx. 130,000 residents) is a master-planned retirement community located mainly in Sumter County, Florida, United States, but also includes portions of Lake and Marion counties. The Villages is developed and maintained using several Community Development Districts (CDD). The CDD is a form of special purpose local government available under Florida law; approximately 225 communities in Florida currently use this form of government. The Villages currently operates 14 CDD's. Ten of the CDD's cover the various areas of The Villages where residents own homes, and provide and maintain the roads and transportation paths, storm water systems and structures, underground utilities, curbs and gutters, and street lights. The costs of building and maintaining this infrastructure are paid for by annual special assessments included in the property tax bill. The remaining CDD's provide water and sewer utility services, recreation, security services, fire protection and paramedic services to the residents. The cost of operations is funded by amenity and utility fees that residents pay monthly. These CDD’s also provide for the maintenance of common areas and roadways for the commercial areas within its boundaries. The cost of maintenance in the commercial areas is funded through commercial maintenance assessments. For more infomartion: www.DistrictGov.org