Highlands Metropolitan District says town settlement leaves district with $855,000 of unfinished work; demand letter planned

During the second public‑comment period on June 29, Brian Fesler, president of the Highlands Metropolitan District, told the Mead Board of Trustees the district will pursue legal remedies after the town settled with a developer for $800,000 and released that developer from outstanding obligations.

Fesler said he previously alerted the town that the community faced roughly $1.6 million in unfinished and inefficient public improvements. "Since then, the town has settled with the developer Islandsme LLC, Will Edgington, and Serge Goldberg for $800,000 and release[d] them from their obligations," Fesler said. He told the board the settlement did not include the district and that the town is attempting to shift about $855,000 in unfinished landscaping, irrigation repairs, remaining warranty obligations, historical costs already incurred and an unresolved box‑culvert bridge to the district.

Fesler said the district is performing emergency landscaping work to prevent deterioration while reserving legal rights and that a demand letter for $855,000 will be forthcoming. "The town cannot release the responsible party and then expect the district to assume its obligations," he said, urging the board to meet and negotiate a fair solution.

Mayor Colleen Whitlow and trustees did not announce a response during the public comment period. Other attendees criticized the board’s handling of the matter during public comment; one resident, Don Smith, urged voters to hold trustees accountable for the way the settlement was handled.

Next steps: The Highlands Metropolitan District intends to issue a demand letter; the board may respond in writing or in a future agenda item. The town attorney or staff may be asked to meet with district representatives to clarify responsibilities and settlement terms.