The Meridian Service Metropolitan District held its monthly board meeting and annual budget hearing Dec. 4. Holiday activities at the recreation center, budgets for 2014 and a sewer fee increase were discussed.Marti Wallner, senior director of the Meridian Ranch YMCA, told the board there has been a 10 percent increase in admissions at the recreation center over the last year. ìWe’ve had a huge increase in our Silver Sneakers active older adults program,î she said.ìWithin the YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region, we raise money through the Community Support Campaign to make sure our facilities are open to all. I want to brag on our staff because they totally get our mission. We raised $3,400, which means we will not be turning anyone away this year.î The campaign allows staff and residents to donate money to a scholarship program to help people use the YMCA facilities, classes and programs; regardless of their financial ability to pay.The budget hearing was open to district residents, but there were no statements made during the public comment period. The board agreed to extend the contract with the YMCA to manage the recreation center. A 3 percent increase in the centerís budget was approved to fund delayed pay increases for staff and deferred repairs. The board voted to continue with keeping the center open all day, year-round. The recreation center previously closed for early afternoons during the off season.The board agreed to keep budgeting to build up reserve funds to pay for the future repair and replacement of district infrastructure. ìOnly in government do you want to spend everything, because if you don’t appropriate it you can’t spend it without amending the budget,î said Jim Hunsaker, board attorney. ìAnd once the developer is done with the project, it is very difficult to borrow money.î Metro district fees for builders who have purchased lots from the development were increased for the 2014 year. ìBuilders would call for a meter set the day before the new residents move in,î said Doug Woods, developer representative. ìBuilders would essentially be watering the landscapes for free before that. Builders should participate in the assets that allow them to market their homes.î Monthly district fees of about $50 will be charged until the home is sold to a new resident. If the builder does not complete the property after a year, the fee would increase to about $80 per month. ìThis is equivalent to a standby fee, which is not unusual,î Hunsaker said.Resident sewer and wastewater fees were increased to pay for rising treatment costs related to new federal regulations. Sewer fees will be raised to $37.15, from $26.52 per month. The board partially offset the sewer increase by reducing the community streetlight fee from $5 to $3.75 per month. ìWe’re required to charge what it costs to provide the service for long term sustainability of the district, even if the federal government hasn’t figured that out,î Hunsaker said. ìYou can talk about it all day long, but it doesn’t change the electric bill,î Woods said.
