FROM: Kay Gorham, Chairperson, Spring Lake Improvement District

For the past six months there have been a number of open houses, meetings, and letters to the community from the Sebring International Golf Resort (SIGR) regarding the sale of the Resort. During this same time period social media has been flooded with opinions and feelings. SIGR made a presentation to the SLID Board of Supervisors December 10, 2025 and basically offered the District the “right of first refusal.” No action was taken at that time, but it remained an option for the SIGR to pursue in future dialogue wth the Board.

At the July 8, 2026 Board meeting, Supervisors agreed that five people should not determine whether or not the District should pursue the purchase of SIGR. A process needed to be put into place that would accurately and effectively provide SLID with the true feelings of its residents and landowners.

Most governmental bodies use public hearings, workshops, surveys, and questionnaires to measure public opinion. Referendums are frequently put on ballots and coordinated by the Supervisor of Elections. If passed, the vote must be accepted and put into law.

A NON-BINDING ADVISORY REFERENDUM  can be conducted by the District itself, and the results do not legally compel the Board to act in accordance with the vote. It is basically a process one step above the other methods of securing input from residents, and any future dialogue with SIGR would depend on the results of the referendum.

 THE PROCESS:

*A detailed fact sheet and FAQ’s will be developed prior to voting

*A thorough article in the September issue of The Breeze will explain the entire process

*Use of the District digital sign on a daily basis beginning mid-September

*Weekly e-mail blasts from the end of September thru October

*Request SLPA and other HOA’s to notice their members

*Voting will take place during the month of October, 2026:

                +in person at the District Office Board room (one vote per strap number)

                +via e-mail with appropriate name and address

                +notarized letter with appropriate name and address

                +in person at a Festival booth dedicated to the vote

*Results will be presented at the November 11, 2026 Landowners meeting

All aspects of this ADVISORY REFERENDUM are being put together by staff, and a Resolution will be presented to the Board at its August meeting. No other information is available at this time.