New Resident Guide · Bushnell, Florida
Sumter CountyUtilities & Services
Just bought or moving within Sumter County? Here is every office and utility you'll need to get settled across The Villages, Wildwood, and Bushnell — turn on the power and water, set up trash, file your homestead exemption, register to vote, and find your zoned schools. Print it and keep it on the fridge.
Step 1
County Offices
The government offices every new homeowner needs — for your homestead exemption, taxes, license plates, schools, and voter registration.
Property Appraiser
Sumter County Property Appraiser
File your homestead exemption (deadline March 1), check your assessed value, and look up property records. Offices in Bushnell and a Wildwood/The Villages Service Center.
Tax Collector
Sumter County Tax Collector
Pay property taxes, register your vehicles and get Florida license plates, and handle driver license services. Offices in Bushnell, Wildwood, and The Villages. New residents must get a Florida license within 30 days.
Supervisor of Elections
Sumter County Supervisor of Elections
Register to vote or update your voter registration with your new address.
Public Schools
Sumter County School District
Find the schools your new address is zoned for and enroll your children. There is no online zone-locator — call the district to confirm your zoned schools.
Official Records / Deeds
Sumter County Clerk of the Circuit Court
Records and provides copies of your deed and other official property documents; also marriage licenses and court records.
Building & Permitting
Sumter County Building Services
Permits and inspections for remodels, additions, pools, and fences in unincorporated Sumter County. If your home is inside a city, permit through that city instead.
Sheriff (Non-Emergency)
Sumter County Sheriff's Office
Non-emergency police matters and reports (24-hour dispatch: (352) 793-2621). For emergencies, always call 911.
Step 2
Set Up Your Utilities
Call ahead of your move-in date so the power and water are on when you arrive. Electric and water depend on your exact address — see the note under each.
Electric
Electric service is set by location — there is no choice of provider. SECO Energy is the dominant co-op.
SECO Energy (co-op)
Serves: Most of Sumter County, including most of The Villages, Wildwood, and unincorporated areas.
Duke Energy Florida
Serves: Parts of the county, including the northernmost portion of The Villages.
City of Bushnell Electric
Serves: Within the City of Bushnell (municipal).
Water & Sewer
Sumter County does not run a general residential water utility — service comes from The Villages districts, a city, or a private well & septic in rural areas.
The Villages — District Utilities
Serves: Water, wastewater, and irrigation for The Villages (Sumter-portion districts).
City of Wildwood Utilities
Serves: City of Wildwood (water, sewer, electric).
City of Bushnell Utilities
Serves: City of Bushnell (water, wastewater, electric).
Natural Gas
TECO Peoples Gas serves The Villages and Wildwood; many homes are all-electric or use delivered propane.
TECO Peoples Gas
Serves: The Villages, Wildwood, and parts of unincorporated Sumter County.
Trash & Recycling
The county does NOT provide curbside pickup in unincorporated areas — residents use a private hauler or the Citizens' Drop-Off Area. City and Villages residents have collection through their accounts.
Sumter County Solid Waste
Serves: Unincorporated Sumter County (drop-off site + private-hauler info).
The Villages (Sumter) Sanitation
Serves: Sumter portion of The Villages (curbside collection).
Internet & TV
Availability varies block to block — check your address on each provider's site.
Xfinity (Comcast)
Serves: The dominant cable internet/TV provider in Sumter County and The Villages.
CenturyLink / Quantum Fiber
Serves: Phone, DSL, and expanding fiber in Bushnell, Wildwood, and rural Sumter.
Not sure who serves your exact address?
Electric, water, and trash can change street by street. The fastest ways to confirm: check the seller's most recent utility bill, ask your closing agent or title company, or call the city utility office for the city your home is in. If your home is in an unincorporated area, it's handled by the county. Your MaxLife agent is happy to help you pin this down before closing.
Sumter County Setup — Common Questions
Who provides electricity in Sumter County, FL?
Electric service is set by location. SECO Energy (a co-op) serves most of Sumter County, including most of The Villages and Wildwood; Duke Energy serves parts, including the northernmost portion of The Villages; and the City of Bushnell runs its own electric within the city. Confirm by address.
How do I set up water service in Sumter County?
Sumter County does not run a general residential water utility. In The Villages, water/sewer is handled by the District Utilities office ((352) 750-0000); in Wildwood and Bushnell, by the city; and in rural areas, many homes are on a private well and septic.
How do I file for the Florida homestead exemption in Sumter County?
File with the Sumter County Property Appraiser at sumterpa.com or (352) 569-6800. The deadline is March 1, and you must own and occupy the home as your permanent residence as of January 1 of that year.
Where do I register my car and get a Florida driver license after moving to Sumter County?
The Sumter County Tax Collector (sumtertaxcollector.com, (352) 569-6740) handles vehicle registration, license plates, and driver license services, with offices in Bushnell, Wildwood, and The Villages. New residents generally must get a Florida license within 30 days and register their vehicles within 10 days of starting work or enrolling children in school.
How do I register to vote in Sumter County?
Register or update your address through the Sumter County Supervisor of Elections at elections.sumtercountyfl.gov or (352) 569-1540. You can also update your registration when you get your Florida driver license.
Helpful next reads
Take it with you
Print this Sumter County contact sheet as a clean one-pager — perfect to keep on the fridge or hand to a client at closing.
Buying or selling in Sumter County? Talk to Ryan Solberg at MaxLife Realty.
Contact details verified June 2026against each agency's and provider's official website. Government offices and utilities occasionally change phone numbers, websites, and service areas — please confirm before relying on a number for a deadline or time-sensitive matter. MaxLife Realty is not affiliated with any office or utility listed here. For emergencies, call 911.