OCN

Volunteers reporting on community issues in Monument, Palmer Lake, and the surrounding Tri-Lakes area

OCN > 2601 > Triview Metropolitan District, Dec. 11 – Water and wastewater rates increase; 2026 budget approved

Triview Metropolitan District, Dec. 11 – Water and wastewater rates increase; 2026 budget approved

Highlights

  • The Triview Metropolitan District held public hearings on the 2026 utility rates, fees, and the 2026 budget, and ratified an agreement with PFM Consulting LLC.
  • A rate forecast was presented for water and wastewater services, followed by approval of Resolution 2025-15 to set 2026 rate tables, with details available in the district's December newsletter.
  • The 2026 budget aims to increase cash reserves, advance the Higby Road widening project, offer strong employee benefits with a 3.5% COLA, invest in equipment, maximize renewable water use, maintain facilities, complete the district's operations building, participate in NMCI, and pursue infrastructure projects like a roundabout at Jackson Creek Parkway and Lyons Tail Road.
  • The board also approved the property tax debt service mill levy of 13.5 and the operations mill levy of 7, totaling 20.5 mills, along with related measures including administrative resolutions, an amended contract with FLMD, an audit engagement letter, an MVEA undergrounding work order, an easement with Stonewall Springs Reservoir Co., and an agreement with PFM Consulting LLC for real property matters.
  • Water operations showed Northern Delivery System delivering roughly 69% of the district's water in November and expected to do so in December, with a small amount of non-revenue water, while a water storage tank project at Plant B remains on hold until spring 2026.
  • In an executive session, the board discussed water matters, TOM agreements, NMCI funding timelines, and related negotiations, per Colorado law.
  • The next regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 15 at 5:30 p.m., and meeting details are available on the district's website.

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) meeting on Dec. 11, the board held a public hearing on the 2026 utility rates, fees, connection charges, public works fees such as drainage fees, parks and open space fees, and road and bridge fees, and a public hearing on the district’s 2026 budget. The board ratified an agreement with PFM Consulting LLC.

The board held an executive session to receive legal advice regarding water matters, pending litigation, agreements with the Town of Monument (TOM) and other governmental and private entities, the Central Reservoir, the acquisition of a right-of-way for Blevins Buckle, and the Northern Monument Creek Interceptor (NMCI) project.

Director John Gibbons was excused.

Water and wastewater rates

The board received a rate forecast presentation from consultants Andrew O’Brien and Payton Gibson of Waterworth. O’Brien explained the timeline for the suggested rate increases and the management of revenue through 2030. Waterworth provides a software platform to manage and predict the future revenues needed to maintain the district’s level of services to its customers.

After holding a public hearing with no comments during or received before the meeting, the board reviewed and approved Resolution 2025-15 establishing rates and fees for the provision of water and wastewater services for TMD. For the rate tables effective Jan. 1, 2026, and other updates, see the TMD December newsletter at www.triviewmetro.com.

2026 budget

District Manager James McGrady said the budget goals are:

  • Increase cash reserves to the fullest extent possible, start and complete the Higby Road widening project (could extend into 2027).
  • Provide strong benefit packages to reward employees and foster employee retention with a 3.5% COLA increase.
  • Provide equipment and vehicles to ensure jobs can be performed.
  • Maximize the use of the district’s renewable water resources.
  • Ensure the district’s facilities, including roads, parks, open space, reservoirs, diversion structures, wells, and pump stations, are maintained and enhanced.
  • Complete the district’s utility operations and administration building.
  • Fund and participate in the NMCI.
  • Maximize the use of existing infrastructure in order to maximize revenues and build a roundabout on Jackson Creek Parkway at Lyons Tail Road.

After holding a public hearing with no comments, the board reviewed and approved Resolution 2025-16, certifying the district’s property tax debt service mill levy set at 13.5 mills, and the property tax operations mill levy used to pay for the voter-approved Higby Road project bond payments, set at 7 mills, for a total of 20.5 mills.

In a 4-0 vote, the board approved the 2026 budget, appropriating the funds for the district.

McGrady said the district also receives revenue via a sales tax share back with the TOM for operations, and the Specific Ownership Tax (vehicle registrations) and other revenue from building permits, use tax, Forest Lakes Metropolitan District (FLMD), Colorado Conservation Trust Fund, grants, programming fees from Sanctuary Pointe Park, and interest earnings.

In a 4-0 vote, the board also approved the following:

  • Resolution 2025-17, the annual administrative resolution.
  • The fifth amendment to an agreement between FLMD and TMD for Contract Operation Services (provided by the district), effective Jan. 1, 2026.
  • An audit engagement letter between TMD and Haynie and Co. to perform the district’s 2025 financial audit in 2026.
  • An approval for Mountain View Electric Association Inc. (MVEA) work order 230923 for the undergrounding of about 5,500 feet of overhead power line from Jackson Creek Parkway to a point about 600 feet east of Harness Road in the amount of $993,838.
  • An easement agreement between TMD and the Stonewall Springs Reservoir Co., a Colorado Mutual Water Company, and the district.
  • The board approved an agreement with PFM Consulting LLC. to provide consulting services at a rate of $150 per hour plus expenses relating to mining, environmental permitting, and all related matters associated with real property at the Stonewall Springs Reservoir complex located in Pueblo.

Water operations update

The report submitted by Water Treatment Superintendent Gary Potter stated that the Northern Delivery System produced 69% of the district’s water in November, and the same percentage is expected for December in keeping with the budget. The district produced about 14,257gallons in the October billing cycle and sold about 13,883 gallons to customers, leaving 337,847 gallons or about 2.62% of non-revenue (unbilled) water. Potter is optimistic that Triview is at the start of a new trend after two months in a row of very low water loss.

Additional water storage

Assistant Manager Steve Sheffield said the water storage tank project at Plant B in Promontory Pointe is on hold until spring 2026. The construction of the tank will be determined after the project goal of preparing the site for the construction of the concrete tank is completed. The site requires the installation of additional underground piping, new stormwater alignments, and final grading in 2026.

Executive session

The board moved into executive session at about 7:54 p.m. to receive legal advice pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) section 24-6-402(4)(b), as it relates to water matters and agreements with the TOM and other governmental entities, acquisition of right-of-way for Blevins Buckle, NMCI project funding timeline and discussions with DWSD, and the Monument 2040 Plan. The session also involved determining positions related to matters that may be subject to negotiations, developing strategies for negotiations, and instructing negotiations as it relates to the previously mentioned subjects, pursuant to CRS section 24-6-402(4)(e).

**********

Meetings are usually held on the third Thursday of the month at the district office located at 16055 Old Forest Point, Suite 302. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Jan. 15 at 5:30 p.m. For meeting agendas, minutes, and updates, visit https://triviewmetro.com.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Triview Metropolitan District articles

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *