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The Northwest News & Tribune

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Westchase To Negotiate With Management Company

By JASON GEARY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 9, 2008

WESTCHASE The two community development districts of Westchase will negotiate with their current management company after facing the prospect of saving about $80,000 a year by switching to a rival company.

At Tuesday night's meeting, the districts voted to hold a workshop at 3 p.m. Feb. 5 to discuss the contract of their current management company, Severn Trent.

In the past, the districts have complained about the performance of Severn Trent, including not getting accurate monthly financial data. Last year, they sought out proposals from other companies along with Severn Trent.

Severn Trent presented a bid of about $165,000. The lowest proposal came from District Management Services, a Tampa-based company started about three years ago, for $85,000.

Some supervisors noted the possible savings by hiring DMS and that the company might be eager to please Westchase.

"It's a significant amount of money," said Anthony Sanchez, a supervisor with the Westchase Community Development District East.

But other supervisors expressed skepticism about the rival company's much lower price and thought Severn Trent had greater experience.

"I think we have a good company," said Ernie Sylvester, a supervisor with the CDD East. "I don't think we should change."

Bill Casale, a supervisor with the Westchase Community Development District, said Severn Trent has shown substantial improvement in its performance.

He said further discussions into possibly hiring a new company were becoming a distraction. The transition required in hiring a new company could also be difficult, he said.

The majority of supervisors from both districts agreed to negotiate with Severn Trent on the cost.

Reporter Jason Geary can be reached at (813) 865-1505 or jgeary@tampatrib.com.

For complete details read story in the Jan. 12 issue of the Northwest News & Tribune.

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