Highlands Ranch – Community association leaders, upset over money budgeted to operate the Highlands Ranch Mansion, are planning a vote tonight to change how recreation is funded.
If the 92 delegates to the Highlands Ranch Community Association pass changes to their bylaws, the spending of the association’s five- member governing board would be limited. The board would have to seek delegates’ approval before spending more than $500,000 on property, on adding budget items of more than $150,000 or paying more than $200,000 for any one-time expense.
Some delegates were unhappy last fall when the board earmarked $300,000 in this year’s $19.2 million budget for the upkeep of the historic mansion if the association takes ownership.
Shea Homes, which owns the mansion, has said it would donate it only if the association budgeted money to maintain it.
Delegate Ray Jones said the budget locks the association into accepting the mansion, which studies have shown needs millions of dollars in repairs.
“We’re not against the mansion,” he said. “But we want to see it done properly.”
Gary Debus, the association’s manager, said the mansion deal is far from done, although the association has said for years that it hopes to acquire it. Two surveys have shown strong public support.
“There would have to be studies and investigations to see if this is something we want to do,” he said.
The mansion issue does not justify the sweeping changes to the board’s governance, he said.
The vote tonight also would increase the number of board members from five to seven and have them elected by districts. Currently, board members are elected at large by delegates.
“What the board has not found is a compelling reason for the proposed amendments,” a seven-page statement opposing the changes said.
Staff writer Joey Bunch can be reached at 303-954-1174 or jbunch@denverpost.com.
