The HBA Advocate Newsletter | December 3, 2024

By Paige Roemmich | December 4, 2024 |

December 3, 2024

In this edition:

Town of Erie to Host Roundtable Discussion on Proposed Water Tap Fees
Diana Rael Named 2024 HBA Advocate of the Year

Town of Erie to Host Roundtable Discussion on Proposed Water Tap Fees

This evening at 6:30 p.m., the Town of Erie will host a roundtable discussion with members of Town council, developers, residents, and Town staff to discuss developer concerns over the proposed increases to water tap fees for new developments and water rates for existing customers. The event will be livestreamed on the Town of Erie YouTube page for any members of the public who would like to listen in.

The roundtable will be facilitated by Brian Pool from Government Performance Solutions to ensure all participants have the opportunity to contribute ideas and help develop a consensus recommendation. This recommendation will be reviewed by the Town's rate consultant and will be shared for consideration by the full Town Council at its Dec. 10 Regular Meeting, as part of the Rate and Fee Adoption.

The proposed ordinance under consideration would increase the Tap Fee and Raw Water Dedication Fees for a ¾” line from $37,153 to $57,550 for a total increase of $20,397. This fee was last increased in 2019. Town staff has justified the dramatic increase due to increased valuation of the existing assets and additional need for capacity along with future infrastructure projects outlined in the Town’s 10-year plan.

Town Council has repeatedly cited housing affordability as a high priority for the municipality yet has repeatedly passed expensive mandates and fee increases in recent years that contradict this assertion.

While the HBA of Metro Denver acknowledges that the costs surrounding water dedication and related infrastructure have increased in recent years, we are hopeful the town, the HBA and our builders can work together to find some practical solutions to ensure they are implemented in a manner that does not unnecessarily curtail future development. Some solutions could include phasing the fees in over a longer period of time, introducing a more equitable tiered fee structure and implementing a water conservation ordinance to reduce future demand. We are looking forward to tomorrow’s roundtable discussion as a good first step in reaching consensus.

Diana Rael Named 2024 HBA Advocate of the Year

On Friday, November 8 at the HBA’s 2024 Professional Women in Building Conference, longtime HBA member Diana Rael was awarded the association’s Advocate of the Year award for her years of service to the HBA of Metro Denver and our industry. Before receiving her award, HBA CEO Ted Leighty offered these remarks about Diana’s decades of service:

“For the past 20 years, Diana has made it her mission to help the residential construction industry deliver attainable housing through time-tested market driven solutions that actually move the needle on housing supply and affordability. She has served with distinction on our association’s Government Affairs Committee, Countless Joint Taskforces across our jurisdiction, and as a Metro Housing Coalition Board Treasurer, Vice President and President. She also helped to establish the MHC’s Annual Political Forum and spent the last 15 years quietly working to ensure its continued success as the influential fundraising and issue symposium it has grown to become. It goes without saying that her friendly and unassuming approach to advocacy has earned her countless friends and incalculable influence in county buildings, city halls and council chambers throughout the metro area over many years. In short, the HBA of Metro Denver owes much of our past and continued success to model members and advocacy leaders like her.”

HBA of Metro Denver Issue Tracker
Questions on what is happening in a specific city or county? The HBA is regularly monitoring the council and board activities in every political subdivision in the metro Denver area. Our Issue Tracker offers a great resource to learn about the issues being deliberated with links to agendas, packets and ordinances. The HBA of Metro Denver HBA Issue Tracker is available to all members here.

HBA is looking for Members to Participate in Advocacy, Regulatory and Technical Committees in 2025

As a volunteer-driven organization, the HBA's Jobsite Safety Committee, Permitting Committee, Regulated Utilities Committee and Stormwater Management Committee help guide the HBA's events and activities throughout the year. Consider joining one, or more, if you want to build strong, long-lasting relationships and make a difference to your fellow HBA members, while sharpening your leadership skills. Please visit the HBA website for more information or reach out to Morgan Cullen if you are ready to participate.