PRESIDENTS CORNER

The Growing Pains of Living in a Developing Community

Eva Rey,

President of Central Viera Community Association

If you’ve ever felt like the sound of a construction truck backing up is the unofficial soundtrack of your day, you’re not alone. Living in a developing community like Viera comes with its fair share of growing pains: construction traffic, temporary road closures, views that change overnight, and a steady hum of progress from sunrise to sunset. It’s not always easy, and I get it because I live here too.

As neighbors, we’re all navigating the same evolving landscape. That corner lot you once looked out on might now be a bustling home site. In every new area, the view eventually changes into something else. The quiet street you walk your dog on might have construction vehicles lining it from morning until the end of the workday. It can be frustrating, inconvenient, and, let’s be honest, a bit loud. But here’s the good news: it’s temporary. Every hammer swing and truckload of materials is part of something bigger, something lasting. Those construction vehicles will eventually give way to families riding bikes, neighborhood gatherings at new parks, and friends chatting at new mail kiosks or amenity centers.



Viera is designed to grow thoughtfully, with purpose and pride. And while change can be hard, it’s also a sign of vitality. Our community is thriving, and each new home, road, and amenity is part of what makes Viera one of the most sought-after places to live.

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So Long Summer, Hello Savings: Florida's Permanent Back-to-School Tax Holiday

Chelsea Payne,

Community Management Coordinator

With summer winding down and a new school year on the horizon, Florida families can look forward to the, now annual, Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday. This will run from Friday, August 1st through Sunday, August 31st, 2025. This month-long tradition is now a permanent fixture every August, making back-to-school shopping easier and more affordable for years to come.

During this month, you can shop a wide variety of back-to-school essentials exempt from Florida’s usual 6% state sales tax. Here’s a list of some of these items:

• Clothing, footwear, wallets, bags, backpacks, fanny packs, and diaper bags priced at $100 or less per item.
• School supplies priced at $50 or less per item, including; notebooks, binders, folders, pens, lunch boxes, crayons, glue, and more.
• Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles priced at $30 or less such as flashcards, interactive books, memory games, stacking blocks, and educational toys.
• Personal computers and certain computer-related accessories priced at $1,500 or less.

Wondering about online purchases? If you ship qualifying items to a Florida address and complete your purchase in August, those items are eligible. So, don’t worry Amazon shoppers, you can still save yourself a trip to the store.  

Be sure to keep in mind that the Back-to-School sales tax does outline several specific exclusions. Here are some to be aware of:



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