A Homeowners’ Association (HOA) is not a type of special district or governmental entity and does not have taxing powers. An HOA is a private entity created to enforce restrictive covenants and for the maintenance of HOA owned common areas.

A Metro District is governed by a Board of Directors, who are elected by the registered electors within the district. Eligible electors who reside within the district or who own taxable property within the district are eligible to serve on the Board of Directors. The District’s board of directors shall hold at least one public board meeting in three of the four quarters of each calendar year, beginning in the first full calendar year after the District’s creation.

The approval of a District Service Plan is at the sole discretion of City Council, which may reject, approve, or conditionally approve Service Plans on a case-by-case basis. City Council retains full authority regarding the approval, terms, conditions and limitations of all Service Plans.

The application process is designed to provide early feedback to an applicant, adequate time for a comprehensive staff review, and the appropriate steps and meeting opportunities with decision makers. The application process involves submittal of a letter of interest to the City, formal application and Service Plan submittal, formal staff review, Council Finance Committee meeting, and a Council Public Hearing.

Metro Districts issue bonds or special assessments to finance their facilities, which are secured by the taxing authority of the Metro District. A mill levy is added to the annual property tax bill and the resources from that levy are used solely for the benefit of property owners and the neighborhood. Fees may also be imposed for facilities and services. In Fort Collins, the City’s policy caps the mill levy at fifty (50) unless a higher amount is approved by City Council.

Metro Districts follow the same “sunshine” laws as any other governmental entity in Colorado, as well as additional requirements in the Metro District statutes. Specifically, a Metro District must notice all meetings by posting the time and place of the meeting at three locations within the district and publish notice in a widely distributed publication. In addition, all State required annual financial reports are published on the Department of Local Affairs website and viewable by the public. In addition to these steps required by the State, the City has included the following items in the Metro District Policy and Model Service Plan:

• Consent for the City to publish on its own website the annual report and fiscal statements submitted by a Metro District on the City’s own website.
• All districts will host a minimum of three meetings annually. The intent is to host these meetings generally on a quarterly basis with the ability to elect to take one quarter off based on vacation and holiday schedules. A district may meet more frequently as it may choose.