Greetings WC Community and Neighbors,
As summer continues, we want to wish all our families a safe, joyful, and relaxing break. We also want everyone to start preparing for the hurricane season, as we have officially entered the 2025 season.
The State of Florida has recently approved the 2025 budget, effective June 30, which includes several tax-exempt holidays that may benefit many families. Key highlights of the 2025 tax package include:
• A monthlong Back-to-School sales tax holiday every August. This is a permanent change, expanding from the previous two-week duration.
• A year-round sales tax exemption on disaster preparedness items, such as batteries, generators, and tarps.
Examples of tax-exempt items include household batteries, fuel tanks, portable generators (priced at $3,000 or less), tarps, ground anchors, tie-down kits, bottled water (already tax-free), first-aid kits (already tax-free), most nonperishable food items (already tax-free), fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, sunscreen, and insect repellent.
Items that are excluded from the exemption and are less specific to disaster response include reusable ice packs, lanterns, flashlights, candles, portable power banks, and weather radios.
These changes aim to assist families in being better prepared for emergencies while also saving on essential school supplies.
Other tax breaks include:
• Permanent tax relief on health and safety items—everything from sunscreen and smoke detectors to life jackets and bicycle helmets.
• Repeal of sales tax on admissions to Florida State Parks.
• A new Florida Hunting, Fishing and Camping Tax Holiday offering savings on supplies from Sept. 8 to Dec. 31.
Our monthly WCCA board meetings are now on summer recess and will resume in September. However, our efforts continue. We are currently collaborating with the county to enhance the medians throughout the neighborhood—a beautification initiative that will benefit all residents.
One of the reasons this project is important for our community, aside from improving aesthetics, is that the medians have not been upgraded or maintained regularly since they were originally built. A primary goal of this potential community project is to add fill dirt, raise the beds, and resod the areas to help eliminate water pooling, which can lead to flooding and damage to roadways.
This could be one of the largest community projects Whiskey Creek has undertaken, if not the largest. The project will be completed in phases as there are many medians that stretch the entire length of our community. Depending on funding from the Whiskey Creek Civic Association (WCCA) and potentially some contributions from the MSTBU or the county, we will need to initiate a capital campaign within Whiskey Creek and engage with the business community.
To ensure that projects like this remain an option for our community, along with proper maintenance, it is crucial that residents participate in the civic association dues. If you are new to the community or have not yet renewed your civic association dues, now is an excellent time to do so.
For more information about membership dues, how funds are allocated, deed restrictions, board meeting minutes, and much more about the community, please visit the WCCA website at whiskeycreeknews.net. The membership campaign strives for 100% participation. Currently, membership stands at approximately 30%, and we are making daily progress. The membership fee of $125 will be allocated to various community needs.
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to both new and returning members for your membership and dedication to our community, providing general community protection, and enhancing our overall community. Thank you for your support!
If you haven’t visited the country club recently, come by and check out our new menu items and drink specials! We’ve also updated the décor and have exciting news about the brick porch addition, not to mention summer golf specials and events. Whether you’re looking for a relaxed and affordable happy hour, delicious brunches and dinners, or a place to socialize and unwind, the club is a fantastic spot to enjoy time with friends and neighbors.
Whiskey Creek continues to be a popular destination for residents of all walks of life, each contributing to the rich tapestry of our community. Whether you’re here to settle down, unwind, or raise a family, your presence is vital to our collective vision.
The WCCA Board is grateful for the opportunity to give back to this amazing community, and we thank you for making that possible.
Wishing you and your family a safe and happy summer!
