Record of Proceedings
Foothills Park & Recreation District Regular Board of Directors meeting
December 9,, 2025
A virtual attendance option was made available through Microsoft Teams.
Call to Order
Director Trimble called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance
Director Trimble led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
Roll Call
Director Hanson, Present; Director Lodice arrived at 6:12 p.m.; Director Brainard, Present; Director Writz, Present; Director Trimble, Present.
Also in Attendance: Ronald Hopp, Executive Director; Dennis Weiner, Director of Finance and Administrative Services; Becky Richmond, Director of Recreation; Derek Eberhardt, Assistant Director of Recreation; Colin Insley, Director of Parks, Planning and Construction; Randy Meyers, Director of Golf; Richelle Riley, Recording Secretary; other Foothills staff and members of the public.
Potential conflicts of interest were disclosed pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes 18-8-308(2), 24-18-109(3)(a), 24-18-110, and 32-1-902(3).
Approval of Agenda
Motion: Director Writz moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve the December 9, 2025 agenda as submitted. Director Hanson seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Hanson, yes; Director Brainard, yes; Director Writz, yes; Director Trimble, yes. The motion was approved.
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
Motion: Director Writz moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve the minutes of the November 11, 2025 board meeting as submitted. Director Hanson seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Hanson, yes; Director Brainard, yes; Director Writz, yes; Director Trimble, yes. The motion was approved.
Community Comments
Charles St. John, district resident, and Austin Lutz addressed the Board representing Colorado’s parkour community. Mr. St. John described the sport and said they wanted to bring awareness to their parkour community and their needs. They want to learn what Foothills Park & Recreation District’s priorities are and discuss how their goals and the District’s goals could potentially align. Mr. St. John discussed that their community has been coordinating with Denver Parks and Recreation for close to ten years. Director Trimble recommended that the group contact Colin Insley and Ronald Hopp.
Decision Items
Item 1: 2026 Budget Hearing
Ronald Hopp explained that Jefferson County provided the District’s finalized assessment data after the board packet went out so there are slight changes. The most accurate budget information is included in the budget book. Mr. Hopp talked about significant changes between the initial proposed budget and final budget. The total final budget with revenues and expenditures is $53,451,392.
Using a PowerPoint presentation, Mr. Hopp went over things that changed between the preliminary budget that was provided to the Board in October and the final budget as provided in the budget book. Mr. Hopp discussed the significant changes between the 2025 budget and the 2026 budget. He outlined the Sources of Revenues, Historical Mill Levy, Total Operating Revenue and Expenses by Department including year over year comparisons, Capital, and Debt Service for 2026. He detailed budgets including cost centers for Administration; Parks, Planning & Construction; Recreation; Golf. Mr. Hopp went over the reconciliation spreadsheet showing a balanced budget of zero.
Addressing childcare and facility discounts that have been discussed, Mr. Hopp talked about a review and recommendation to provide benefits to staff that took place in 2011. After having the conversation as part of finalizing the 2026 budget, staff recommend that during 2026 we initiate a process to conduct a new review of overall employee benefits and look at not just one benefit, but the total package making sure it is fair and equitable. Mr. Hopp recognized that the District is in a different situation than it was in 2011 so things can possibly be done differently. Staff are not making any recommendations to the budget or any of the practices related to discounting at this time. Mr. Hopp reiterated that during 2026 staff would like to look at overall employee benefits in totality.
Mr. Hopp pointed out the resolutions for the Board’s consideration that meet the statutory requirements for Adoption of the Budget, Appropriation of Funds, Certification of Mill Levies. Once approved by the Board, the budget information is submitted to Jefferson County and the State of Colorado. A public notice for Public Hearing has been published in the Jeffco Transcript, Mr. Hopp discussed.
- Public Hearing
Director Trimble declared the Public Hearing open at 6:34 p.m. for public comments on the 2026 Foothills Park & Recreation District’s budget. There were no public comments, and the Public Hearing was declared closed at 6:35 p.m. - Resolutions
Motion: Director Lodice moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve Resolution No. 25-004 to Adopt the 2026 Budget for Foothills Park & Recreation District; Resolution No. 25-005 to Appropriate the 2026 Budget for Foothills Park & Recreation District; and Resolution No. 25-006 to Levy 2026 Property Taxes for Foothills Park & Recreation District. Director Writz seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Hanson, yes; Director Lodice, yes; Director Brainard, yes; Director Writz, yes; Director Trimble, yes. The motion was approved.
Item 2: 2026 Board Meeting Schedule and Posting Locations
Referring to the 2026 board meeting schedule provided, Director Trimble said that for the March 24th meeting, he and Mr. Hopp will both be out of town and proposed options to consider for that meeting date. Board consensus was to leave the date as it is with the option to change it or cancel it in March.
Motion: Director Lodice moved that the Foothills Board of Directors approve the recommended meeting dates for 2026 and approve Resolution No. 25-007 to establish posting locations for the year 2026 as discussed. Director Brainard seconded the motion. Poll of the Board: Director Hanson, yes; Director Lodice, yes; Director Brainard, yes; Director Writz, yes; Director Trimble, yes. The motion was approved.
Executive Director’s Report
Highlighting the report provided, Mr. Hopp reminded the Board about the employee holiday breakfast. He recognized that during the holidays staff come and go but everything still gets done and all the great services are still being provided to the community.
Discussion Items
There were no discussion items.
Adjournment
The regular meeting adjourned at 6:39 p.m.
Submitted by: Richelle Riley, Recording Secretary