Council concurs to allow Mountain Shadows Metro District to impose park and recreation fee if needed

The City Council unanimously approved a resolution concurring with the Mountain Shadows Metropolitan District’s ability to impose a park-and-recreation fee should the district determine taxes are insufficient to operate and maintain parks at historical levels. Assistant City Attorney Megan McCall explained the district’s service plan prohibits fees except for park and recreation improvements and requires city concurrence before a fee may be imposed.

Greg Ruts, a member of the Mountain Shadows Metro District board of directors and a resident, told council the district is focused on park and trail maintenance, native habitat, pond maintenance, and eventually transferring certain park tracts to the city. Ruts said the board has been actively engaging constituents ahead of a November election and characterized the resolution as a “safety net” if voters do not authorize additional property‑tax revenues.

McCall and Ruts said that if the district does not receive voter authorization, the district anticipates imposing the fee in 2026; if voters approve a tax increase, the fee may not be needed. The city’s model service plan requires an external fee advisor’s certification of reasonableness for any fee or fee increase.

Council members praised the district’s outreach and approved the resolution on a 6–0 vote with Council member Ambrose excused.