EVMD Board Meeting 11/5/2026 Recap
11/5/2026 Board Meeting Recap
This is an unofficial summary of the Nov. 5, 2026 Work Session of the Board of Directors of the EagleVail Metropolitan District held at the EagleVail Pavilion and online produced by EVMD Communications staff. A draft of the minutes will be posted to the EVMD website once they are composed.
Board members present: Chair Joanna Hopkins (virtual), Vice Chair Betsy Laughlin (virtual), Director Lauren Barcza (virtual) and Director Fred Rumford (in person.)
Public Comment:
Request to change the name of West Park to Middaugh Park, in recognition of the EagleVail family members who have achieved significant athletic titles over the years, including most recently, two-time XTERRA short-track world champion Sullivan Middaugh who earned his first full-distance world title at XTERRA’s 30th World Championship, competing alongside his father and brother. Barcza asked for this request to be put on the next Board meeting agenda.
Work Session:
EVMD consultant Jon Erickson, from MARCHETTI & WEAVER, LLC, provided an overview of the 2027 Preliminary Budget:
- The assessed value of the District is up about 1% while property taxes will be up about 3%.
- The District’s operations and debt service are primarily funded with property taxes. The District’s assessed value has increased to $157,057,730.
- Overall revenues are up about 3% to $6,874,672 and expenditures before capital are up about 16% to the 2026 forecast, resulting in an operating surplus before capital of approximately $1,802,845.
- Payroll costs are budgeted to increase in 2027 with consideration to following areas:
- Addition of a seasonal Courts Manager role for management of the Courts facility.
- A larger increase for Maintenance Hourly Seasonal Staff is budgeted at 17% due to an increased starting rate to be more competitive with the market as well as three additional seasonal staff members.
- Addition of a Range Attendant position in the Outside Services line item.
- The Sales Tax Fund has budgeted revenues of $669,500 for 2027.
- While the Metro District budget is showing an operating surplus of $1,802,845, after capital it is a deficit of ($1,328,132).
Discussion:
- Laughlin suggested that, due to economic uncertainty in 2027, that staff come back with a prioritization of capital projects for 2027.
- Erickson clarified that the proposed 2027 capital budget is about the same as 2026. He noted that in addition to increased payroll costs, insurance costs are also anticipated to increase.
- Rumford, Hopkins and Barcza agreed with Laughlin’s economic concerns and made the following asks of staff:
- Re-prioritize capital budget recommendations based on: (1) safety, (2) essential to continued operations and services (3) those projects that can be phased in over time and (4) eliminate any proposed projects that are not necessary.
- Want to understand the cart path expansion and court projects in more detail, and how they fit into the above categories.
- Take another look at the operational proposal beyond what was outlined in the October Strat Ops Board session to ensure not over-hiring.
- Hold another Finance Committee meeting before the Nov. 19 board meeting, with committee recommendations noted in a revised staff 2027 budget memo. A Dec. 3 Board meeting will also take place should more time be needed to approve the 2027 budget.
- Finance Committee comments included:
- Tim McGuire questioned the proposed $200,000 wildfire mitigation line item, thinking it should be a lesser maintenance amount. Felt courts and cart path projects could be spread out over multiple years. Wants to see limiting dipping into reserves.
- Jeff Andrews thanked staff for all of their work on the proposed budget. Agreed with a phased capital project expenditure approach.
- Erickson reminded that the Fire Station closing is expected in May but the revenue from the sale of the property is not included in the 2027 budget. Vail Ski & Snowboard Academy is leasing out the Fire Station prior to their anticipated closing so a bit of rental income is anticipated. Rental income won’t offset onsite utility costs and the required parking improvement project.