Welcome to Venice and to Myrtle Trace at The Plantation Golf & Country Club

Venice is located in Southwest Florida, about 20 miles south of Sarasota along the shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico. It is known for its beaches and the prehistoric shark’s teeth that can be found here.

Although more than 150,000 people living in South Sarasota County call Venice their home and write Venice in their postal addresses, the city itself has a population of only about 18,600 people in the summer and about 24,000 people in the winter.

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers founded the city in 1926. The BLE hoped to build a planned retirement community in the area and hired renowned city planner, John Nolan, to plan the city. A famous landscape architect, Prentiss French, was also appointed to create the lovely open spaces in the city.

The northern Italian Renaissance architectural theme was chosen and a town of grace and beauty began to grow along the golden sands and blue-green waters. The Great Depression stopped all development for several years and Venice remained a tiny fishing village until the 1950’s, when it started to grow once again.

Today, the city of Venice has many fine amenities, including a yacht club, community center, community theater and professional dinner theater, an art center, library and many fine restaurants.

As a new resident of the greater Venice area, there a few things you need to know. The following information will help make your transition to Gulf Coast living easier and more interesting.

ESTABLISHING RESIDENCY

The easiest way to become a Florida resident is to file a declaration of domicile with the County Clerk of the Court. The document is notarized by the clerk’s office and states you reside at a given address. The cost is $8 and may be filed at the South County Administration Center, 4000 Tamiami Trail South, Venice.

REGISTERING TO VOTE

Whether you have moved from another county or from out of state, you must register in order to vote in Sarasota County.

You are eligible to register if you are a U.S. Citizen, a legal county resident and at least 18 by the next election. To register, visit the Supervisor of Elections office at the South County Administration Center, Venice.

VEHICLE REGISTRATION

Newcomers must register their vehicles in Florida within 10 days of gaining employment or enrolling children in school. Proof of ownership, proof of Florida auto insurance, prior registration certificate and a current driver’s license are needed.

In addition, Florida is a title law state, so newcomers must also apply for a Florida Title Certificate. For more information, contact the Tax Collector’s Office (362-9898) at the South County Administration Center, 4000 Tamiami Trail South, Venice.

DRIVER’S LICENSE

New state residents have 30 days to apply for a driver’s license. State law requires that you first register your vehicle with the tax collector. Proof of this registration, your out-of-state license and your social security card must be shown. The examination office is located at 1212 Jacaranda Boulevard at the Venice Pines Shopping Plaza, 483-5995.

HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION

As a Florida resident, you are eligible to declare the first $25,000 of your home’s value as exempt for tax purposes, thereby reducing your ad valorem tax bill. To file for a homestead exemption, you must establish residency by December 31 prior to the year you will claim the exemption. Taxpayers must file between January 2 and March 1 with the County Property Appraiser at the South County Administration Center, 4000 Tamiami Trail South, Venice.

BOATING AND FISHING LICENSES

All motorboats used in Florida must be registered at the Tax Collectors Office. Boats with out-of-state registration need not register in Florida if they are here for 90 days or less. You may also purchase fishing licenses at the Tax Collector’s Office, South County Administration Center, 4000 Tamiami Trail South, Venice, or at nearly any bait or sporting goods store. Fees vary, but if you are over age 65, hunting and fishing licenses are free.

FLORIDA TAXES

Florida does not tax personal income, salary, dividends, interest, or capital gains. Tangible personal business property is appraised on machinery, equipment and certain rental units. An Intangible Personal Property Tax is levied on stocks, bonds, and other securities with the first $20,000 being exempt.

Estate taxes for Florida residents are deducted from the amount claimed by the Federal Government. There are no state inheritance taxes so there are advantages to transferring securities and personal property to Florida. Contact an attorney to see if you need to change your will to comply with Florida law.

Real Estate (ad valorem) taxes are levied on 100% of assessed real estate valuation, minus the Homestead Exemption ($25,000), if applicable. Residents living within the corporate limits of the City of Venice pay both city and county taxes on real estate; homeowners in unincorporated areas pay only the county tax. 2000 millage rates were 14.1198 for county residents, plus 3.406 if residing in the City of Venice.

MYRTLE TRACE NEWCOMERS INFORMATION

This community is a Condominium Association. The rules protect residents and preserve the association common areas. It is recommended that you become familiar with the association rules to assure that your stay here is harmonious with others and an enjoyable experience.

Newspapers: If you desire a daily local newspaper try the Venice Herald-Tribune (daily morning paper), call 486-3000. The Gondolier Sun is an award winning local paper delivered thrice weekly, call 207-1000.

Trash and Recyclables: All refuse is picked up early Friday morning. It is recommended to place all refuse out Thursday evening in plastic or metal containers.

a. Plastic, glass, and cans must be in the BLUE recycle container.

b. Newspaper and flattened cardboard must be in the RED recycle container.

c. Garbage and trash must be bagged and placed in a trash can.

d. Yard vegetation, clippings, etc. should be placed in a separate trash can or bag. Yard waste is placed on the opposite side of the driveway from garbage and other recycle items. This collection normally follows other collections by several hours.

Pest Control: The condominium association has a pest control contractor. They come to homes on Friday, once a month. Different areas of the community are on different Fridays. They always knock before entering but they do have a key. They will spray both inside the unit and out.

Community Functions: Notices of community functions and meetings are posted by the mailboxes, located in clusters throughout the community. You are welcome to attend these events. There is a bulletin board adjacent to the library in the clubhouse. Local announcements, events, sale items, etc. can be found in this area.

History

Discovered: 1513 by Spanish Explorer Ponce De Leon

First permanent European settlement: St. Augustine, 1565

Became U.S. possession: 1821

Statehood: 1846, 25^th state admitted to the Union

GEOGRAPHY

Land area: Florida encompasses 58,560 sq. miles

Coastal area: Florida has 8,462 miles of tidal coastline

LOCAL WEATHER

Average year round temperature: 71.9 degrees

Average summer temperature: 82.5

Average winter temperature: 63.4

Average annual rainfall: 47.23 inches

Average relative humidity: High-88%, Low-58%

Prevailing Wind: East

Elevation: 18 ft.

FACTS AND STATE SYMBOLS

Capital: Tallahassee Nickname: Sunshine State Tree: Sabal Palm

Song: Suwannee River Motto: In God We Trust Flower: Orange Blossom

Shell: Horse Conch Bird: Mockingbird Gem: Moonstone

Animal: Florida Panther Mammal: Florida Manatee Freshwater Fish: Largemouth Bass

Saltwater Fish: Atlantic Sailfish