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This page provides definitions of terms and acronyms. It also identifies what website features you can use to request information or services, answers to questions about how to use this website and request available services. If you have a suggestion for the Frequently Asked Questions, email MAY Management or phone them at 904-880-8796 or email info@julingtoncreekplantation.org.
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Look up a Word
Definitions Terms and acronyms used in this site. Most of the terms defined here relate either to the operation and organization of Julington Creek Plantation (JCP) or that of some governmental body, such as the county or state. Additional references for governmental information include:
Ad Valorem - Ad Valorem is Latin for "according to worth". The worth of something may be used as a basis for deciding the amount of taxes an owner may pay. See "tax terms".
ARB ARC - ARB or ARC (Architectural Review Committee or Board) is a collection of volunteer residents, working under the BoD, to ensure the covenants pertaining to exterior home improvements is respected. All homeowners wishing to make external architectural changes to their property must submit the design to the ARC prior to obtaining a building permit from the county. Homeowners who make changes made without ARC approval, or install architecture that is in contradiction to the covenants may be sanctioned. See the covenants for your neighborhood, available at the Login area of the website. The ARC meetings are noticed on the Login area of the website.
BoD - Board of Directors. The Board of Directors (BoD) for JCP is a governing body responsible for oversight of the community property management and the covenants and bylaws. It is assisted by several advisory committees. The property management company, MAY Management, is responsible for day-to-day operations and contractor management under its direction. The BoD has monthly and annual meetings, which are announced on the JCP Community Board at Flora Branch Blvd., and on this JCP POA website. The BoD complies with the community covenants and bylaws (posted on this website and available from MAY Management) and ensures member compliance. The BoD is considered a private, non-profit corporation and is subject to the provisions of Statute 720, Homeowners Associations, of Florida State law. The BoD has the authority to levy POA assessments under the bylaws. Directors are property owners who are elected by homeowner vote for 2-year terms on a staggered election cycle.
building permit - a county-issued document giving permission to complete a new or improved building. See county Building Services.
bylaws - rules providing for the governance of an association, and binding upon all members of the association.
CDD - Community District Development is a taxing authority established to provide for infrastructure improvements, such as roads and recreation facilities, in a community. The JCP CDD was established by a county resolution (8 MB, Adobe Reader required). The Board of Supervisors on a CDD is subject to the regulations in the Florida Sunshine Law. See the CDD page on the CDD website for regulations, meetings, minutes, and budget information. There is also a section on that page that explains the differences between a CDD and a POA (see POA below): CDD vs. POA: Who does What?
common property areas of land shown on any recorded subdivision plat or replat of the property which are intended to be devoted to the common use and enjoyment of the Owners of the Property or a Neighborhood.
conservation area - protected area refers to wetlands or wildlife protected areas that have environmental significance. Individuals may not modify areas so designated.
covenant - agreement between members of a homeowner association that is binding and enforceable, but which may be amended by member vote.
declaration - a document establishing the rights of owners of a residential area and the common areas including the covenants, conditions and restrictions upon their use.
easement - an interest in a property owned by another that entitles the holder to a specific use or enjoyment, such as a utility easement.
homeowners association, property owners association - Florida corporation responsible for the operation of a community or a mobile home subdivision in which the voting membership is made up of parcel owners or their agents, or a combination thereof, and in which membership is a mandatory condition of parcel ownership, and which is authorized to impose assessments that, if unpaid, may become a lien on the parcel.
homestead exemption - Homestead exemptions allow Florida residents who live in a home to reduce the amount of taxes they pay on that home. The original homestead exemption was supplemented in 2008 with an extended homestead exemption. The calculations for each exemption are different. Being "homesteaded" makes you eligible for other exemptions and provides some protection for property assessment rate increases (see Save Our Homes, Amendment 10).
JCP - JCP stands for Julington Creek Plantation.
Member - A resident or property owner in Julington Creek Plantation (JCP). Only JCP members may get a login ID, which allows them to use the members-only Login area of the website. (See Request a Login.) A full member has voting rights in the Property Owner Association business because he or she owns property.
Millage - Millage refers to $1 per $1,000. Florida property owners pay taxes expressed in millage (or mill rates). See "tax terms". JCP property owner millage rates are set by the Tax Collector's Office.
Non-Ad Valorem - Non-Ad Valorem is Latin for "not according to worth". Taxes that do not take into account the value of something that is taxed are "non-ad valorem". See "tax terms".
POA - Property Owner Association, also commonly-referred to as Homeowners Association - HOA. (See Homeowners Association above). The collection of property owners in Julington Creek Plantation make decisions about the community budget and covenants (rules), under the governance of the Board of Directors (see definition of BOD, above). Monies for the budget are collected from POA assessments. In JCP each property owner pays the same amount of annual assessment. The POA, along with the CDD have responsibility for ensuring Julington Creek Plantation remains a vibrant community with a solid financial base. For a discussion of the differences between the CDD and the POA refer to section, CDD vs. POA: Who does What?, on the CDD website page CDD.
property manager - a company or licensed agent charged with overseeing the daily operations of a community. See the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
PUD - planned unit development where the property owners own individual lots and share in ownership or maintenance of the common areas.
reclaimed water - water that is non-potable (non-drinkable or consumable) because it has not been treated. Usually reclaimed water is used for irrigating the common property.
retention pond - a retention pond is an engineered feature designed to hold water temporarily or permanently to prevent property damage and safety issues posed by flooding. See "This Old Pond", a video from the St. Johns River Water Management District.
SJRWMD - SJRWMD stands for St. Johns River Water Management District, a state agency that manages the multi-county watershed of the St. Johns River. The agency oversees water use, quality, and flood control.
stormwater management system - Stormwater management systems are designed to provide drainage and water filtering functions for excess water runoff. They include retention ponds and water drainage areas that prevent property damage and safety issues posed by flooding.
turnover - turnover occurs when a community developer relinquishes control of a community, allowing it to be self-governing.
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How Do I? (Requesting and Using JCP Services)
Many community services are coordinated through or provided by MAY Management. Some services, such as trash pickup and repair of some (but not all) streetlights are provided by other organizations (consult the Contact Directory). If you aren’t sure who to contact, MAY Management is a good place to start. An after-hours answering service is available for emergency phone calls. (see Contact Directory). There is a Contact E-Form you can use to notify MAY Management of a non-urgent issue.
Many informational services are on this website (such as BoD meeting minutes). You can also use this website to request other services (such as posting an event or requesting a service). You may need to have a JCP login in order to make full use of the features. This section explains how to obtain and maintain a JCP Login and how to make full use of the website for member services.
If you want step-by-step instructions along with screen-prints, go to the At-a-Glance listing of Help Documents and use the ones of interest. You will need the free Adobe Reader software to open these documents. Otherwise, you can browse the topics below and learn how they work.
If you prefer to NOT use the website to request the service, contact or call MAY Management at 904-880-8796.
Account Info - Obtaining and Maintaining your JCP POA Website Account
login account – Learn how to request and maintain a JCP login account (Adobe Reader required).
password change - Login to the member area and select Manage My Profile from the My Profile menu. Update the Password and Confirm Password fields. Then click the SAVE button at the bottom of the screen.
Forgot Password – Use the Forgot Password form under the Login menu.
Bulletins - eMail Bulletins from the POA Website. email bulletin - See What is an email bulletin. (Adobe Reader).
getting email bulletins - Email Bulletins: Getting Them – Set up your User Profile to get email bulletins. (file size: 1 MB, Adobe Reader)
subscribing to special email bulletins - see Subscription-only bulletins. (Adobe Reader)
Problems Receiving Your POA Bulletins - see Problems Receiving eMail Bulletins. (Adobe Reader)
Events and Announcements
events and announcements – Announcements deemed “members-only” will be in the Login area of the site. The Board of Directors has ultimate authority in determining whether an event or announcement should be posted.
To post an announcement or event, call MAY Management at 904-880-8796 or complete an e-form. Login to the members’ area, then click on the Contact menu and select eForms from the drop-down. The form is called, “Add an Event to the Community Calendar”. Fill it out and SUBMIT it. This form is also available under the Members Corner menu.
- Announcements and events may be either public or members-only
- To see members-only announcements, use the Member Login menu to go to the members-only area and select e-Bulletins, Announcements, and Newsletters under the Members Corner menu.
- To see public announcements use the Community Corner link in the public website area and select Announcements from the drop-down.
- Meetings and activities that are open to the public will be in the Calendar section of the Community Corner.
- POA Business Calendar events are listed under the POA Business menu in the members area of the website. They are also available through the Calendar link under the Community Corner in the public website area.
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POA Governance and Rules
JCP is a deed-restricted community. Each neighborhood has a set of covenants that define the rules for maintaining your home and for behaviors usch as soliciting. The committees and the Board of Directors are responsible for the governance and oversight of the community. They conduct business according to the community bylaws and Florida law regulating Homeowners' Associations (see definitions above). The bylaws, covenants, and declaration are public documents. As a property owner in JCP you should have received a set of them when you bought your property. You may also get copies from the property manager or by signing onto the members-only area of this website and downloading a copy from the Documents/Reports menu. Below are answers to some frequently-asked questions about the governance and rules of our Association.
Covenants Enforcement
Occasionally, a property owner violates one of the rules in the covenants. Usually a notice from the property manager is sufficient to remind him to take care of the issue. Occasionally a reminder is not enough to ensure compliance. That is when the covenants enforcement process begins. Read about the process in the document, "Covenants Enforcement at JCP" (Adobe Reader Required).
If you have a neighbor who is not abiding by the covenants, you can request that MAY Management assist you. That will help you avoid unnecessary friction between you and your neighbor. If you have a neighbor who is breaking a law or county ordinance, you should contact your law enforcement office. When in doubt, consult with MAY Management (see the Directory Page under Contacts).
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General Website Questions
The Using this Website link under the About section describes what’s in this website and how to make your best use of it. It also identifies technology and software needed to get the maximum usage out of the site. Here is a list of specific problems that web users run into that are not related to this site, but they can be problematic.
I don’t see changes I know were posted on the site ("caching" demystified)
This can happen because the web browser you are using relies on a feature called “caching” (pronounced “cashing”). To fix this, use a feature called “Reload” or “Refresh”. To reload or refresh, Windows users can press Ctrl+R or the F5 key to force their browser to go to the website and “reload” a fresh copy of the page. Mac users may try Apple+R to refresh/reload. You may also see a button in your browser’s toolbar labeled Reload or Refresh – it does the same thing. You can use this feature as often as you like to be sure you are getting the latest page; the worst that will happen is that it will take your page a longer time to open in your browser.
I'm using dial-up access
You are not alone! Many people connect to the Internet using a dial-up phone connection. Large documents and large images can take a long time to open up when you are retrieving them using a dial-up connection. There are two things you can do to avoid these big time-consuming items. First, remember that this web site will try to warn you if a file you want to open is very large - especially a file in a PDF or Word format. Look for the notation (1MB), (2MB) (3MB)... you get the idea... after a file link. These files will take a long time to open, so you might want to wait to open them until you can spare the time they will take. Second,you can get web pages to open up more quickly if you are willing to do without the pictures/images. Every browser program has a setting that you can change to prevent images from downloading and save you time waiting. Unfortunately, not all browsers use the same procedure to disable image displays. So you'll have to use your browser's Help feature to tell you how to "not load images". Try this technique:
- Use the menu selections at the top of the browser window. Select Help Contents or Help... Index from the menu.
- Type your search term or phrase in - try these suggestions "image" or "disable image" as your search term.
- Follow the instructions and remember what setting you changed! If you ever want to display images again on your computer, you'll need to change this setting back!!!
Your display settings will remain in effect for all web pages every time you use the computer until you change it back. Each of the images on this POA site has a text description you will see instead of the picture. If you decide you really want to see one of the pictures, right click on the image area, then select Display Image from the popup menu.
If you decide you'd rather see the pictures (and you can deal with the wait time), then you'll probably only have a big wait the very first time you open a new page. That's because your computer usually "stores" a copy of the pictures on the pages you've seen. The next time you open the page from the Internet, the computer may use the locally-stored image instead of retrieving it all over again, and that should save time. See the discussion of "caching" earlier if you want more details.
I Signed up for Bulletins but I'm not Receiving Them
If you signed up for email bulletins from the JCP POA website but don't see anything showing up in your inbox, be sure that your email service isn't treating these messages as "spam." "Spam" or "junk" email is getting to be such a nuisance, that many mail programs are automatically marking "suspicious" messages as spam and not displaying them in your Inbox. So what is so "suspicious" about an email bulletin from the POA? Nothing, EXCEPT, it will probably have a large distribution list. People who send spam messages often send them to a large audience, and that can cause an overly-cautious mail program to mark the message as suspicious and treat it as spam instead of legitimate mail. Often the messages are filed in a "spam folder", and since you might not think to look for them there it appears as if you aren't getting any bulletins at all.
So What to Do? Since each mail program works differently when it comes to "spam" use your mail program's Help section (or contact a support person) to learn how to "Retrieve Spam" and identify such messages as valid so they will be sent to your Inbox in the future. You may be surprised to find other legitimate mass-mailed emails are being treated as spam. The good news is that once you identify a sender as OK, then subsequent emails (such as JCP POA bulletins) will end up in your Inbox, where they belong.
I Can't Use the Menu
Menus with drop-down selections can be tricky, for folks who are "mouse-challenged". If selecting a link from a drop-down menu is too frustrating, try using one of these other techniques:
- Just click on a main menu selection. It will open up a summary page with links to all the pages associated with that section. Click on one of the links in the summary. Now you and your mouse don't have to "chase" around a menu!
- There is a Site Index link at the bottom of every page. Click it to see a listing of links to all the pages, organized like a Table of Contents. Click on the link from the list - and forget the menu.
Getting to the menu on a long page
Get back to the menu at the top of a long page by clicking on the footer image. At the bottom of every long page is a picture of a roof top (or cupola). If you click the picture,it will take you to the top of the current page. So click the "roof top" to get to the page top. Try it when you get to the bottom of this page.
Enlarging text
If the text appears too small on these pages, you can try one of several techniques:
- Use the key combination Ctrl+ (hold the Ctrl key down and tap the "plus" + key) to enlarge the images. Ctrl- (Ctrl and the "minus" - key) will reduce the image. Mac users should use Apple+ or Apple-.
- If you find that many other websites have text that is too small you may want to set your computer to display all the text on web pages in a larger font. Since every program is different, you will have to use the Help menu in your program to learn how to do this. Use the Help Contents or Help ...Index from the menu, then enter the word "accessibility" in the search field. This should make using your computer MUCH more enjoyable!
