Is VOJ actually larger than Valmeyer, Illinois? The Answer may surprise you.
Valmeyer, Illinois is an incorporated city directly to our east that has a population of 1,410 residents (2014 census.) They have a city hall, mayor, police and fire department among other city services.
By comparison, our subdivision has 582 homes. While not all occupied, using an average of just 3 occupants per home (to offset the vacancies) provides an estimated population of 1,746 VOJ residents, 336 more than the Valmeyer population.
Unlike Valmeyer where residents pay city taxes to receive local city services, all of our resources are self-funded by the annual assessment, managed by a Board of Directors and its full-time, paid, professional Administrator.
While we still pay county taxes for our highly rated school, police and fire services, the cost of our street lighting, paving and road repairs, snow removal, road signs, common ground maintenance and more are only possible because of the assessment, which has remarkably remained unchanged for over ten years and in spite of less than 100% occupancy.
So even though we're larger in population than many small cities and towns, we don't bear the added burden of paying city taxes. Our annual assessment breaks down to only $.80 cents a day per homeowner, less than anything even on the dollar menu at McDonalds, making the low cost of living here a pretty convenient and amazing bargain.
Imagine without the assessment, you had to pay each time for snow removal on just your street. How much do you think it would cost? In almost 50 years, VOJ residents have never had to even think about it thanks to the annual assessment. Except in rare instances, all our streets are cleared and passable before most residents get ready for work. That's more than can be said for many other tax based communities and lower than most other self-funded solutions.
Valmeyer, Illinois is an incorporated city directly to our east that has a population of 1,410 residents (2014 census.) They have a city hall, mayor, police and fire department among other city services.
By comparison, our subdivision has 582 homes. While not all occupied, using an average of just 3 occupants per home (to offset the vacancies) provides an estimated population of 1,746 VOJ residents, 336 more than the Valmeyer population.
Unlike Valmeyer where residents pay city taxes to receive local city services, all of our resources are self-funded by the annual assessment, managed by a Board of Directors and its full-time, paid, professional Administrator.
While we still pay county taxes for our highly rated school, police and fire services, the cost of our street lighting, paving and road repairs, snow removal, road signs, common ground maintenance and more are only possible because of the assessment, which has remarkably remained unchanged for over ten years and in spite of less than 100% occupancy.
So even though we're larger in population than many small cities and towns, we don't bear the added burden of paying city taxes. Our annual assessment breaks down to only $.80 cents a day per homeowner, less than anything even on the dollar menu at McDonalds, making the low cost of living here a pretty convenient and amazing bargain.
Imagine without the assessment, you had to pay each time for snow removal on just your street. How much do you think it would cost? In almost 50 years, VOJ residents have never had to even think about it thanks to the annual assessment. Except in rare instances, all our streets are cleared and passable before most residents get ready for work. That's more than can be said for many other tax based communities and lower than most other self-funded solutions.
Did you know?
The street lights in our subdivision are owned by Ameren Electric. Ameren is responsible for their ongoing maintenance including all repairs, bulb replacement, etc. We pay for only the electrical cost of operating them, which is between $24-$30 a month for each light.
The street lights in our subdivision are owned by Ameren Electric. Ameren is responsible for their ongoing maintenance including all repairs, bulb replacement, etc. We pay for only the electrical cost of operating them, which is between $24-$30 a month for each light.
HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR SUBDIVISION? Answers shown below.
1. What is the legal speed limit on every street within the Village of Jefferson?
2. How many stop signs are posted in the Village of Jefferson?
3. How many miles of paved road are located within the Village of Jefferson?
4. How many street lights are in the Village of Jefferson?
5. What was the average cost to operate each street light in the Village in 2014?
6. What is the total acreage of common ground in the Village of Jefferson?
7. How many storm drains are located within the Village of Jefferson?
8. Where is Lot A in the Village of Jefferson?
9. Who pays for all signs including Speed Limit, Stop, No parking, Fire Lane, etc. in the Village?
10. Is it legal to ride ATV’s in the Village of Jefferson?
11. Does the Village receive money from Windsor Schools for the maintenance of roads?
12. Can residents post a “Lost Dog, Yard Sale,” or other similar sign on the sign posts in the Village?
13. On average, how many times per season is the Village of Jefferson common ground mowed?
14. Over the last two years (2013 and 2014) how much was spent on snow removal, including salt and cinders, for the Village of Jefferson?
15. How much was spent in 2014 for asphalt repair and overlay, including patching potholes in the Village of Jefferson?
16. Does the Village place liens on the homes of residents who do not pay their annual assessment?
17. If the Village places a lien on a resident’s home, does it show on that resident’s credit report?
18. Other than cost of living increases, what is the main reason for increases in assessments within any subdivision?
19. Approximately how many acres of common ground are mowed in the Village of Jefferson during the summer?
20. Can I store an unlicensed vehicle in my driveway?
21. Why is there no stop sign on Monticello at Wayles coming up the hill?
22. Where can I get a copy of the Book of Indentures for the Village of Jefferson?
23. How many homes are within the Village of Jefferson?
24. The first digit of your lot number is also your _ _ _ _ number.
25. Has the Village of Jefferson ever evicted a resident for not paying their assessments?
Answers:
1. 25 MPH
2. 37 as regulated by Jefferson County
3. 6 miles
4. 44
5. $264.54
6. 47 acres
7. 94
8. Lot A is the property where Case and Buck’s Bar and Grill are located
9. Residents of the Village of Jefferson
10. No, this is prohibited by Article VI, Section 10 of the Village of Jefferson Book of Indentures, Covenants, and Restrictions and is enforceable (along with legal fees) in a court of law.
11. No, the residents of the Village of Jefferson pay for paving, clearing, and maintenance of all roads within the subdivision without assistance from any outside source.
12. No, Article VI, Section 7 of the Village of Jefferson Book of Indentures, Covenants, and Restrictions prohibits the posting of signs within the Village. Jefferson County also prohibits the posting of signs on stop and speed limit sign posts.
13. 17
14. During the calendar year of 2013 the Village spent $21,700 on snow removal, salt and cinders. In 2014, the Village spent $28,300 on snow removal, salt, and cinders.
15. $71,273.12
16. Yes, when an assessment or other money (unpaid legal fees, mowing of residents lots, etc.) owed to the Village becomes past due, the matter is referred to an attorney. The attorney writes the debtor a letter allowing them 30 days to resolve the delinquency. The cost of this letter is added to what the debtor owes. If said 30 days expires with no resolution, a lien is placed on the debtor’s home.
17. Yes, when a lien is placed on the home, that lien shows (and negatively impacts) the credit report of the legal owners of the home.
18. The age of the subdivision. As roads, equipment, fences, and facilities get older they require more maintenance and eventual replacement.
19. The Village hires subcontractors to mow approximately 25 acres.
20. No, an unlicensed vehicle is legally inoperable. Article VI, Section 12 prohibits inoperable, derelict, or junk motor vehicles being stored or parked in the Village of Jefferson except in an enclosed garage. Section 200.025 of the Public Nuisance Ordinance of Jefferson County also prohibits the storing or parking of inoperable, derelict, or junk motor vehicles.
21. During the winter when roads become icy, residents cannot proceed up the hill on Monticello if they are required to stop at Wayles.
22. The Book of Indentures, Covenants, and Restrictions can be downloaded from this website. An official copy may be obtained for a charge from the Recorder’s Office of Jefferson County, MO.
23. There are currently 582 homes in the Village of Jefferson. At one time, the Village had 584 homes. Two homes – one on Tuckahoe and one on Burgess have been condemned and razed.
24. The first digit of your lot number is your plat number. For example, if your lot number is 183, you reside in Plat 1.
25. The Village of Jefferson is currently in the legal process of evicting two residents for failure to pay assessments.