DISTRICT ASSURES RESIDENTS IT IS NOT BEING TAKEN OVER BY CITY
Submitted by
Andy Rhodes, Board President,
Pete Webb, Webb PR
Board Will Attempt Dialogue with Council
CASTLE PINES NORTH, CO — To paraphrase Mark Twain, reports of the death of the Castle Pines North Metro District are “greatly exaggerated.” The District’s water and wastewater functions, as well as parks and open space management are not being assumed by the fledgling City of Castle Pines North, and any change in responsibility could be years away. In fact, there’s been no dissolution underway, only a request filed by the City to do so.
Directors of the Metro District, who met Wednesday night (February 24), said recent headlines have confused and alarmed residents who feel loyalty to their utility services provider. The District, now in its 26th year of operation, continues to conduct business as a local government agency, providing water and wastewater service along with its other responsibilities.
“We continue to be concerned about the City’s collective judgment,” said Board president Andy Rhodes. Here we have the City’s apparent willingness to become a community that serves the interest of developers, at the expense of compromising the City’s future revenues.” Rhodes pointed to the City’s acceptance of a generous $2 million annexation fee, then using a significant portion of that fee to fund ongoing City operations and pay off accumulated debt, in exchange for a 50% sales tax reduction.
Rhodes noted that the District has overcome financial hardship in the past, not dissimilar to that which the City is experiencing. “With the support and sacrifices of many of our current citizens we have built financially strong, progressive and effective District providing water and sewer services for the community,” he said.
Directors remain committed to going ahead with plans to add to the District’s renewable water supplies, and transactions to secure additional water are expected to close this month.
The District’s special legal counsel, Matt Dalton, has cautioned the board that meeting the City’s request for a plan of dissolution can take months and involve significant expense before the plan goes to the District’s voters. Dalton said the District’s finances are in good shape, but that’s simply not a reason to turn its assets over to the City.
The board elected new officers at its meeting, naming Rhodes president and Dwight Zemp vice president. Rhodes succeeds Bill Santos, who relinquished his president’s seat due to the press of his business travel schedule. Santos remains a director.
The Board also announced the retirement of longtime district manager and utility specialist Jim McGrady. While the board recruits a new manager, finance manager Dan Schmick is acting as District manager.
