EVP Report: Public Safety Town Hall Monday, Oct. 13

by Mike Conroy, MVF Executive Vice President

October Public Safety Meeting – In conjunction with Councilmember Luedtke’s office and the 6th District Police Department, MVF will host a Public Safety Town Hall Meeting in October. The event is scheduled in person for 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 13 at North Creek Community Center.

Councilmember Luedtke and 6^th District Police leadership will provide updates and statistics, as well as offer an opportunity for residents to share concerns and ask questions about crime and safety. This is a great opportunity for community members to interact with county leaders and continue our partnership.

Proposed 2026 MVF Budget (Summary) - The proposed budget continues implementation of the MVF Board’s Strategic Goals (where appropriate), as well as programs and services that benefit residents of the community. The budget remains focused on five primary goals:

1. To minimize assessment increases for the MVF and Designated User Funds
2. To continue implementing major Reserve projects
3. To continue utilizing Capital Contribution Fees (CCF) to support new facilities/amenities
4. To maintain Reserve Contributions
5. To fairly compensate MVF employees.

Pursuant to the 2025 5-Year Plan, the 2026 Proposed Budget proposes to increase assessments in both the MVF and Designated User Funds. Assessment increases are needed to maintain operations while navigating the impact of rising labor costs; inflation; overall increases to supplies, contracted services and insurance costs; implementation of updated systems; facility improvements; and green plan initiatives. The 2026 Proposed Budget reflects these challenges while also ensuring the five primary goals are met.

MVF Fund:
The 2025 5-Year Plan projected a $1.25 increase in the assessment rate for year 2026. However, the MVF Fund is currently proposed to have a smaller increase for 2026 ($0.77) bringing the total to $22.64 per unit per month. MVF currently holds a sizeable Undesignated Reserve surplus, and projects it will continue to be spent down past the recommended amount of 10% of expenses for emergency expenditures.

Designated User Fund:
The Designated User (DU) Fund is proposed to increase from $45.77 to $47.02 per unit per month. The $1.25 per unit per month increase is proposed to fund the increased cost of Temporary Pool Staff and Operating Expenses, as well as to fully fund the DU Reserves. This increase is lower than what was projected in the 2025 5-Year Plan of $1.45. There is a planned use of $150,295 from Undesignated Reserves to help minimize the DU Fee increase. These reserves are projected to be below the recommended amount of 10% of expenses for emergency expenditures but will be replenished as the Village Center and Bloom Village units continue to come online.

New Capital Needs:
The Proposed Budget includes a number of Capital Projects funded by CCF:

• Main level improvements at Stedwick Community Center ($125,445), along with the addition of six shade structures to the renovated pool ($123,700).
• Security enhancements include the installation of cameras at North Creek and Whetstone community centers, additionally, a pilot program for scan card access door systems will be implemented at Lake Marion, North Creek, and Whetstone community centers. A total of $100,000 has been allocated from CCF reserves for these upgrades.
• An allocation of $50,000 has been designated for stormwater management improvements and future stream restoration projects.

Reserves:
In line with the 2024 preliminary Reserve Study, the 2026 Budget proposes to increase the Contribution to Reserves (CTR) to $1,961,993 (MVF $311,003; DU $1,608,581). Improvements funded by the Capital Contribution Fee proceeds have been prorated for their portion of CTR within the MVF Reserve Study, saving the MVF Fund $42,409 and reallocating the CTR from Capital Contribution Funds instead of Assessments. Both the MVF and DU Reserves are funded at 100% of the total recommended amount per the preliminary Reserve Study.