About Metropolitan Districts
Douthit Metropolitan District HB 25-1219 Compliance
In accordance with Section 32-1-104.5(3)(X), C.R.S., the following general explanation in plain, nontechnical language, is provided. This information is intended to be read in conjunction with all applicable legal requirements, governing documents, agreements, resolutions, and determinations of the Board of Directors of the District.
1. A metropolitan district is a special district that provides any two or more of the following services:
(a) Fire protection;
(b) Mosquito control;
(c) Parks and recreation;
(d) Safety protection;
(e) Sanitation;
(f) Solid waste disposal facilities or collection and transportation of solid waste;
(g) Street improvement;
(h) Television relay and translation;
(i) Transportation;
(j) Water.
2. In accordance with the District’s Service Plan, the District may provide the following public improvements and services:
(a) Mosquito control;
(b) Parks and recreation;
(c) Safety protection;
(d) Sanitation (subject to certain limitations);
(e) Solid waste disposal facilities or collection and transportation of solid waste;
(f) Street improvement;
(g) Television relay and translation;
(h) Transportation;
(i) Water (subject to certain limitations).
The District does not currently provide any ongoing services.
3. In accordance with the District’s Service Plan, as amended by that intergovernmental agreement with the Town of Mead (as amended), the total maximum amount of debt the District can incur to provide and pay for public infrastructure is $45,000,000.
4. In accordance with the District’s Service Plan, the following revenue may be used to pay for the District’s debt: All Debt (as defined in the Service Plan) issued by the District may be payable from any and all legally available revenues of the District, including, but not limited to general ad valorem taxes to be imposed upon all taxable property within the District. The District will also rely upon various other revenue sources authorized by law. These will include but not be limited to, revenues from fees, rates, tolls, penalties, or charges as provided in Section 32-1-1001(1), C.R.S., as amended from time to time.
5. In accordance with the District’s Service Plan, the maximum mill levy the District may assess to pay for its debt is as follows:
a. For the portion of Debt (as defined in the District’s Service Plan) which exceeds 50% of the issuing District’s assessed valuation, the Maximum Debt Mill Levy for such portion of Debt shall be 50 mills; provided, however, that if there are changes in the method of calculating assessed valuation or any constitutionally mandated or statutorily authorized tax credit, cut or abatement, the mill levy limitation applicable to such Debt may be increased or decreased to reflect such changes, such increases or decreases to be determined by the Board in good faith (such determination to be binding and final) so that to the extent possible, the actual tax revenues generated by the mill levy, as adjusted for changes occurring after January 1, 2017, are neither diminished nor enhanced as a result of such changes. For purposes of the foregoing, a change in the ratio of actual valuation shall be deemed to be a change in the method of calculating assessed valuation.
b. For the portion of any Debt which is equal to or less than 50% of the issuing District’s assessed valuation, either on the date of issuance or at any time thereafter, the mill levy to be imposed to repay such portion of Debt shall not be subject to the Maximum Debt Mill Levy and, as a result, the mill levy may be such amount as is necessary to pay the Debt service on such Debt, without limitation of rate.
c. Once Debt has been determined to be within Section (b), above, so that the issuing District is entitled to pledge to its payment an unlimited ad valorem mill levy, the District may provide that such Debt shall remain secured by such unlimited mill levy, notwithstanding any subsequent change in the District’s Debt to assessed ratio. All Debt issued y the District must be issued in compliance with the requirements of Section 32-1-1101, C.R.S. and all other requirements of State law.
To the extent that the District is composed of or subsequently organized into one or more subdistricts as permitted under Section 32-1-1101, C.R.S., the term “District” shall be deemed to refer to the District and to each such subdistrict collectively, so that the aggregate mill levy that may be imposed by the District and any subdistrict combined shall not exceed the Maximum Debt Mill Levy.
6. Residents may serve on the Board of Directors of the District if they are eligible electors of the District. A resident is an eligible elector of the District if the resident lives within the boundaries of the District and is registered to vote in Colorado.