Florida’s rapid growth has brought with it a wave of master-planned communities, each with unique infrastructure needs and long-term maintenance challenges. At the heart of these developments are Community Development Districts (CDDs) — special–purpose units of local government designed to finance, manage, and maintain the infrastructure that makes these communities thrive.
What Is a CDD?
A CDD is a governmental framework that allows developers and homeowners to collectively fund and oversee infrastructure projects such as roads, stormwater systems, parks, and public amenities. Governed by a five-member Board of Supervisors, CDDs operate much like county commissions and are subject to Florida’s Sunshine Law, ensuring transparency and public accountability.
Each board is supported by a trio of professionals: District Manager, District Counsel, and District Engineer. Together, they ensure that the district’s operation — from budgeting to construction — is executed with precision and integrity.
Funding & Operations: Bonds, Reports, and Accountability
Infrastructure within a CDD is typically funded through municipal bonds. These bonds require rigorous documentation and public approval and are repaid over time by homeowners through fees collected by their respective county tax collectors. When new infrastructure is needed or repairs are required, special assessments or additional bonds may be issued — but only after a District Engineer prepares a detailed Engineer’s Report outlining cost estimates and maintenance plans.
This process ensures that every dollar spent is justified, transparent, and aligned with the long-term needs of the community.
BGE’s Role: Engineering Trust and Efficiency
As a trusted District Engineer providing Professional Engineering services to numerous Florida CDDs, BGE plays a pivotal role in quantifying infrastructure needs, preparing Engineer’s Reports, and designing solutions that stand the test of time.
Our team doesn’t just draft plans; we implement them, working closely with local contractors to deliver high-quality results while saving districts significantly. In one recent project, our strategic approach saved a CDD over $700,000
Our “One Team” BGE model ensures seamless collaboration across our five Florida offices (and 22 nationwide), delivering exceptional responsiveness and continuity of service.
Resilience in Action: Timbercreek Pond Bank Repair
After Hurricane Milton swept through Florida in Fall 2024, the Timbercreek community faced a critical infrastructure challenge: a failed pond bank without sufficient resilience to withstand extreme weather events. The erosion not only threatened nearby homes and green space but also posed long-term environmental risks to the stormwater system.
BGE was brought in as the District Engineer to assist the Timbercreek CDD in navigating this complex recovery. Our team quickly mobilized to assess the damage, develop a robust engineering solution, and coordinate with legal counsel to pursue FEMA funding. The goal wasn’t just to restore the pond bank — it was to rebuild it with a stronger, more durable design that could better withstand future storms, while remaining compliant with FEMA’s reimbursement criteria.
This project exemplifies how BGE’s engineering expertise, responsiveness, and understanding of public funding mechanisms can help CDDs recover quickly and cost-effectively from natural disasters.
Strategic Partnerships: Expanding Impact Through Collaboration
BGE’s ability to deliver exceptional engineering services to Florida’s CDDs is strengthened by a network of strategic partnerships that enhance collaboration, streamline operations, and expand our reach. One of our key partners is InfraMark, a management firm that not only oversees CDDs in Florida but also manages Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) in Texas. This relationship allows us to align engineering and operational strategies early in the project lifecycle, resulting in more efficient execution and better outcomes for the communities we serve. In addition to InfraMark, BGE is actively pursuing partnerships with other respected district management firms to broaden our impact further.
These partnerships are more than transactional — they’re strategic alliances built on shared goals and mutual respect. By working closely with these firms, BGE can accelerate project timelines, improve communication between stakeholders, and deliver greater value to CDDs through integrated services and unified problem-solving. Together, we’re helping Florida’s communities build smarter, recover faster, and maintain the infrastructure that supports long-term growth.
Empowering CDDs to Build and Rebuild
CDDs are more than just a governance structure — they’re the backbone of Florida’s most vibrant neighborhoods. With the right engineering partner, CDDs can navigate complex funding processes, respond to disasters, and maintain the infrastructure that keeps communities safe and thriving.
At BGE, we’re proud to stand with our partners, empowering CDDs to protect and rebuild with confidence.
About BGE, Inc.
For 50 years, BGE, Inc. has served public and private clients as a full-service, multidiscipline engineering consulting firm with integrated capabilities. BGE delivers a broad range of advisory services, technical expertise and innovative, sustainable solutions to support local, regional and national communities as they shape the future of infrastructure. Backed by five decades of civil engineering leadership, BGE helps our client partners solve their most critical challenges Explore our consulting services and solutions: https://www.bgeinc.com/
