Attended first meeting yesterday- here are my thoughts

First, some feedback about a couple things that took aware from the meeting. The phone line wasn't set up for iPhone users. There is a protocol that allows the iPhone user to do a 1-touch connection and won't have to fumble for the password. It took me 3x to get in on the phone line. And homeowners already feel powerless when these metro districts crop up and make self-serving, non-transparent decision. Chris Elliott feedback was condescending and disrespectful. If he cannot fully attend the meeting, he probably shouldn't attend. His answer put the responsibilty on homeowners to educate themselves. That response, makes me wonder if he has any idea how corrupt these metro districts are or if it truly isn't of importance to him, especially based upon the distraction creating by being in Starbucks with lots of background noise.

The reality of Lennar, headquartered in FL, (where even FL created regulations and laws on builders regarding HOA governance and metro districts) is that they pass along alleged infrastructure created and paid for through a bond that levy's higher taxes on the subdivision home buyers, and the metro districts are not interested in the community or it's residents.

In Elizabeth, the metro district and the Town of Elizabeth Board seem to be very cozy, in fact too cozy. The Town of Elizabeth Board shows favoritism for Board candidates, such as Steve Freer, who was not elected as the HOA president, but there was a secret vote for him to switch places with the president and he is running for a Board position. He was invited to special meetings where the other trustee candidates were not. He didn't even need to produce a resume. He is serving as the HOA president, and stated there isn't a conflict b/c his role as HOA president only "takes an hour a week" and when there are issues impacting his neighborhood, he will recuse himself. Isn't that the point of having residents on the board? Wouldn't there be a conflict of interest? My concern is that is what the Metro District wants.

Another issue, is the Town administrator, Patrick Davidson, was fired from the Town of Gillette for unethical actions and was censured. Who would hire him for this role, especially within months of having acted unethically and being censured/terminated?! Within a few months, he was hired by the Town of Elizabeth, netting $180K a year. Whatever the Metro District sees fit is supported by the Town Administrator and perhaps that is all that matters.

(Here are links to the stories recently shared with me regarding this matter

https://images.app.goo.gl/MACouCrh4wF3Y5hj6

https://www.wyopress.org/news/no-reason-for-secrecy/article_505e3d28-8290-11eb-a41a-a7f721bf5937.html

The Metro District, formed by Lennar and stocked with their family members and business associates, like many of the other metro districts are creating division between the established residents and those homeowners see as intruders. Those intruders are paying a higher % in taxes which will help the metro district fill it's pockets and support the town.

I find if very difficult as a CO resident since 1983, CSU Alumni Association member, Regis Alum, and having owned 5 different properties in that 40 year time span, that the Governor and the state of CO DORA condone this blatant abuse and profiteering. It is non-transparent. In response to Mr. Elliott's flippant remark about homeowners needing to educate themselves, the only information given at the time of closing (too late to educate themselves at that time) is the % of taxes is higher than the rest of the town.

I believe this is real estate law at it's worst, and being bought and sold by the one with the most money and most interest in making money without paying the cost of doing business in CO. It's extremely sad. It is concerning as a homeowner about the ability to not continue to pay higher and higher taxes based upon the whims of a rogue metro district operating without any oversight. CO natives and long time residents will continue to migrate out of a state they love, based upon these types of experiences and the lack of government regulation to protect the homeowners.