Indian Wells

The purpose of this website shall be to promote sound growth, progressive civic improvement, beautification and healthy residential and recreational development of the area included in, surrounding and contiguous to the Indian Wells Subdivision, and with the help with our home owners association.

Please keep in mind that these notifications are for maintaining the quality and atmosphere of a neighborhood Indian Wells deserves to be. We are wanting to improve our property values for home sales and for investment purposes as well as having a wonderful place to live for years to come!

The following information was obtained from the current edition of the "Citizen's Handbook", published by the Osceola County Public Information Office. Where do we live, what laws do we follow, who provides our services, who do we complain to, who sets our building code? etc.?

"Osceola County Government is one level of government serving the residents of, and visitors to, Osceola County. It is unique and distinct from federal and state agencies and other local governments operating within the county. Osceola County Government is distinct from the two city governments and the school board, each of which has its own elected officials and government. Osceola County Government is governed by an elected Board of County Commissioners, while another segment is governed by five independently elected officials known as Constitutional Officers. These officers include the Supervisor of Elections, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, Sheriff and Clerk of the Court.

The mission of the cities and school board in Osceola County are different than that of county government. Cities are multi-purpose local governments providing municipal services only to the residents within their city limits. The school board is a single-purpose government serving all county residents with one overall program. Osceola County Government is a multi-purpose government providing different services at different levels. Osceola County Government provides municipal services to unincorporated county residents and countywide services to all residents regardless of where they may reside.

Osceola County is a charter county and an administrative subdivision of the state of Florida. The voters of Osceola County approved the county charter form of government in March 1992 and it was instituted on October 1, 1992. Under the charter, the Board of County Commissioners appoints a county manager, county attorney and a commission auditor. The county manager is vested with a broad range of duties including managing the day-to-day operations of the county government and formulation of an annual budget. The county attorney provides legal counsel for the Board of County Commissioners and assists in the preparation and implementation of all ordinances, codes and regulations adopted by the Board. The commission auditor provides the Board with reports and analysis on a variety of financial issues."

The Citizens Guide lists 20 county government departments that provide services and programs for county residents. Kissimmee and St. Cloud have fewer departments and they provide services/programs exclusively for their own residents.

The Picnic Shelter, in our park, is for the use of all residents, but when having a party that will occupy the entire shelter, you are required to reserve it and place a clean-up deposit. This reservation is for the shelter only and does not give anyone the exclusive rights to the park or any of its facilities nor does it grant anyone the right to allow more than 3 guests into the pool when you accompany these guests. The entire park is for the use of property owners and residents though it is the property of the Homeowners Association who sets rules so that everyone can enjoy it.

Our pond, lake or what ever you wish to call it is actually the Indian Wells Storm Water Retention Pond. The pond and its surrounding banks are the property of Osceola County. This property includes the area of the pond and all the land up to each property owner's fence. You can not build anything upon this property and anyone who does is subject to what ever action the County Government wishes to take. Although we tax payers are taxed for the upkeep of the entire storm water system, including our storm sewers, the County has control of the water, its cleanliness or lack thereof and if and when a fountain is ever placed there. The pond was never intended to be used as a fishing pond, but we are fortunate to be able to use it for that. The ducks, the fish and the turtles add to the attractiveness of the pond and are enjoyed by many, but eating fish from storm/sewer water is not advisable

On-Street Parking Permits: The current change in the Smoke Signal, your source of On-Street Parking Permit Request Forms, will not change the current requirements for these permits. You may use forms from past newsletters, copies of these forms, download and print from our Web Site or phone the Voice Mail at 407-931-7222 to request a form. Copies of the form will be delivered with each delivery of permits.

Code Enforcement: We have been reminded by Osceola County Code Enforcement officers that the time for lax enforcement, brought on by the hurricanes, has ended. All ordinances affecting our community will be enforced, including parking, abandoned/disabled vehicles, junk and debris and the height of grass. We have an attractive community. Don't allow forgetfulness to make you a violator and result in a fine. A reminder that most home repairs including window, garage door and fence replacement, require a building permit. Roofs and concrete work also face the same requirement. When in doubt, phone the Osceola County Building Department at 407-343-2225.

The Recreation Park parking lot is for the use of persons using the park. It is not for the purpose of overflow parking for the residents or their visitors. It is not a display area for vehicles for sale. On-Street Parking Permits are needed for overflow parking and Request Forms and instructions are available from this site.

"Out of the stone age" On September 25th, the Director of the County Building Department, Clinton Wallace, announced the start of of online building permit applications. This new program will expedite the process for building permits and save both homeowners and contractors valuable time. It is scheduled to begin on October 2nd and can be accessed through the County Web Site. Commissioner Ken Shipley referred to this program as coming out of the stone age.

Anti Liter Campaign: The County unveiled their new billboard on Route 192 at Bill Beck Boulevard on Sept. 25th. The message is simple: "Keep Osceola Beautiful, Please don't litter." Litter creates extra work, especially for our landscaping crew on Polynesian Isle Boulevard. We have week day clean-up by our crew and their job would be easier if everyone would use trash cans instead of the boulevard.

Ken Shipley: We need to thing strategically with defined goals and stability in leadershipAtlee Mercer: "The choice to remain rural is not an option. Choosing not to grow means you will lose it all, piece by piece. By focusing on where you will urbanize, you can also determine what will remain rural."

Ken Smith: "Periods of dynamic growth are frustrating for all of us but good planning will minimize the problems"

Bill Lane: "Important community building blocks include transportation, education, environmental/open space and public safety."

Paul Owen: "We need to create neighborhoods with town centers and focus on building community rather than land development."

City of Kissimmee: The city of Kissimmee is preparing an ordinance that would force homeowners to maintain their homes of face fines. The residential property code is being revised and will be considered in about six weeks. We will not be affected by this city ordinance as Indian Wells is not part of the city of Kissimmee, but this could give our County Commissioners an idea as they are presently concerned about littering in our county

Welcome to Indian Wells. Ours is a residential community with a diverse ethnic population. Our streets are named for Native American Indians. Our recreation Park is located on Polynesian Isle Boulevard across from its intersection with Thunder Cloud Drive.

The Indian Wells Osceola County Homeowners Association, Inc., known as the Indian Wells HO Association, is a voluntary association which has played a vital roll in the development of our community. The HO Association Members Meetings are held seven times each year at 3101 Polynesian Isle Blvd. (next to the Osceola Parkway). Prior to each members meeting, the Indian Wells Neighborhood Watch is held. We are proud of our Watch Program, a neighborly arrangement in which virtually everyone looks out for everyone else and does not hesitate to phone the Sheriff (407-348-2222)for any suspicious occurrences. We are a "Non Solicitation" community.

Our Recreation Park is under the ownership and management of the HO Association. It is intended for the use of all property owners, residents and their guests when accompanied by an owner or tenant. It contains a swimming pool, tennis courts, each accessible with a key, a basketball court and an open ball field. Numbered pool &/or tennis court keys have been assigned to each property and issued to the original owner who applied for one. A selling owner is responsible for returning their keys to the HO Association or delivering them to a new owner at closing. Replacement keys require a fee. We use the address of Kissimmee, FL 34746, but we are not located within the City of Kissimmee. We are located in unincorporated Osceola County and are governed by their Ordinances, protected by the County Sheriff and assisted by the Osceola County Emergency Medical Service

Park: 8 am to Sundown
Pool 9 am to Sundown
House Waste is collected Monday & Thursday at 6 AM.
Yard Waste is collected on Wednesdays. "Weight & Size restrictions apply"