Residents of Forest Lakes subdivision north of Bayfield voted to construct a new $370,000 office building in the district, according to unofficial results Tuesday.
About 55% of voters in the district supported Ballot Issue 6A, which funds the project, and 45% opposed it. The La Plata County Clerk and Recorder’s Office called the race as of 10 p.m.
Forest Lakes Metro District - Ballot Issue 6A
$370,000 financing
Forest Lakes Metropolitan District, one of La Plata County’s largest subdivisions, has spent about $700,000 renting an office in Bayfield since the 1970s. The November election was the district’s second attempt to fund the at-times contentious project.
“I think it’s great – from a financial standpoint, long-term, the residents are going to win big time,” said board member Mark Rushfeldt, who supported the measure.
The ballot measure asked Forest Lakes residents to approve a 25-year loan for up to $370,000 to build a 1,600-square-foot office in Forest Lakes.
Board President Tony Schrier, who declined to comment for this story, and board member Shauna Unger have questioned the project in the past. Unger said it didn’t seem like the right time to take on debt, considering the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
The district currently rents a 1,300-square-foot office in Bayfield, 6 miles from the subdivision. Staff members share the bathroom with other tenants and don’t have running water in the office area, according to district records.
Community members in support of the measure said residents would save on long-term costs by building a new office.
The office would give residents improved access to district staff members, would be compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines and would build district equity.
Those against the relocation said Forest Lakes should wait until the economy stabilizes, adding the district has other large capital projects to consider, like replacing dam infrastructure or funding a sewer system project that could cost millions.
In May, voters defeated a similar ballot measure seeking funding for the new office.
With Ballot Issue 6A’s success, “we will meet with the lending agency to start finalizing loan documents, and meet with the contractor to finalize construction documents,” said Keith Rountree, district manager.
smullane@durangoherald.com
