Board members installed; service awards given at MVF Annual Meeting

The Montgomery Village Foundation (MVF) Board of Directors held its annual meeting on Thursday, March 27 at North Creek Community Center. During the meeting, newly reelected members to the Board, incumbents Doniele Ayres, Scott Dyer and Dick Rabil, were installed for their 2025–2028 term. Outgoing treasurer Tom Wills was thanked for his service to the Board and the community. Ayres, Dyer and Rabil were announced after the March 15 ballot counting. Watkins Mill High School junior Hillary Juarez Mendez was also installed as the 2025 MVF Student Representative to the Board.

Board President Doniele Ayres opened the meeting by reporting that 2024 was another robust year for MVF and noted that the Board and staff continued to fulfill the mission of providing a wide variety of community and recreation services, maintaining and improving facilities, and enhancing programs and policies. She added that MVF is in excellent financial standing with healthy reserves to meet our future needs. 

Ayres then highlighted replacement and renovation projects including: approving a concept for the renovation of Stedwick Pool and Bathhouse; shade structures at David B. Humpton Park; pool filter and water heater replacement at Lake Marion Community Center; Whetstone tennis court repair and resurfacing; William Hurley Park basketball court upgrades, and multi-sport court conversion; solar panel installation project on five MVF-operated facilities; a pilot security camera system at the MVF Office, maintenance yard and Lake Marion Community Center; and the addition of bocce courts at Lake Whetstone Park and William Hurley Park, and a 9-hole multi-golf course at the Apple Ridge Recreation Area and MVF Office.

Ayres noted programming enhancements, streamlined processes, increased swim lesson programs and diversified camp choices, resulted in a significant increase in engagement and participation. She also said the Board approved Village-wide EV Charging device criteria, updates to the A/C Units Village-wide criteria and updates to the Fuel Tank Village-wide criteria.

Ayres thanked the more than 150 Village residents who volunteered their time, attention and expertise to serve on committees, boards and other volunteer capacities throughout the year.

Regarding other updates in the community, Ayres mentioned the following: Monument Realty decided not to pursue any changes to the Area 2 Plan for Bloom Village; the first townhouses were under construction in the rear of the Village Center, and access for the Stewartown Road extension was cut through on Watkins Mill Road; MCDOT completed All-Way Stop Sign installations on East Village Avenue and Watkins Mill Road; MVF held Community Safety meetings in conjunction with MCPD; Senator Nancy King secured a $500,000 bond for enhancements to Centerway Local Park; the County Planning Board held outreach meetings and public hearings to consider removing the M-83 Highway from the Master Plan of Highways and Transitways; WRS presented its plan for the Lakeforest property; the State Highway Administration presented proposed Intersection Improvement Plan along MD 124/Montgomery Village Avenue; and MVF continued its Scholarship and Student Representative programs.

In closing, Ayres said the MVF Board continues to serve all residents of Montgomery Village and will invest in the community and refresh programs, parks and assets. She added that the Board and staff will continue to look for new ways to reach out and meet the needs and desires of the next generations of residents in the community.

MVF Chief Financial Officer Daniel Salazar reviewed the 2024 financials, following an unmodified opinion given in the 2024 MVF Audit by the audit firm Lydon Fetterolf Corydon. Salazar noted that in addition to the unmodified opinion, the auditors gave favorable review of MVF’s internal control procedures and found no difficulties or material weaknesses.

Salazar reported MVF’s Net Income was $2.23 million compared to a budget of $1.14 million. He noted the main drivers as Revenue favorable to the budget by $1.3 million and lower-than expected Personnel Costs ($55,000) and Operating Costs ($73,000).

Revenue was reported at $11.33 million compared to a budget of $10 million due to significant increases in Investment Income and Grant Revenues, and Camps and Classes (10-year high), Pool Memberships and Facility Rentals, and Capital Contribution Fees, all returned significantly higher yields than planned for in the budget. He said Investment Income saw higher returns of $718,000 or 9.3%. Grant Revenues were higher due to the state grants from solar panel projects.

Salazar said expenses were all favorable to the budget totaling $9.1M million versus a budget of $9.2M. He said almost all categories performed better than the budget, noting Business Expenses exceeded the budget due to increased costs for additional subcontractors and higher performance/admissions expenses, which were directly tied to increased revenues from additional camps and classes. Program and Maintenance Supply costs exceeded the budget aligning with increased revenues, as additional payments were made for instructors and necessary supplies. MVF also experienced higher costs related to pool chemicals. Equipment Maintenance was lower primarily attributed to fewer purchases of expendable/small equipment. Personnel costs were lower than budget due to vacant positions, savings from salary differences from replacement of staff.

MVF Senior Accountant Mirna Rivas reported $1.7 million was contributed to the Reserve Fund in 2024, as prescribed by the budget. She added that $1.9M was invested in MVF assets. The major asset additions in 2024 were the William Hurley Multi-Sport Court, and the South Valley Park LED Light Project.

Rivas noted the Reserve Investment portfolio increased more than $718,000 from the previous year. She said overall performance was 9.3% compared to a benchmark of 10.5%.

The Balance Sheet showed MVF’s continued strong financial position, with MVF holding more than $29.7 million in assets. Total Liabilities were reported at $1.8 million. He reported on MVF’s Current Ratio (assets over liabilities) as 2.93 versus a benchmark of 2.5 (over 2.5 is considered excellent), and the General Administrative Cost Ratio as 12.2%, also in the acceptable range versus the benchmark (20% to 11% is considered good).

During the meeting, the Board also honored several community members, organizations and staff members for their volunteer efforts, service to the community or years of dedicated employment.

Awards were presented to:

Community Service Awards

• Annabelle Lee and Zoila Lee for identifying and coordinating an independent holiday toy and gift drive, and distributing those gifts to benefit residents
• Claudette Lease for having made valuable contributions to the community through her volunteer service, participation and neighborliness
• Captain Eric Stancliff for his service as Montgomery County Police Department 6^th District Commander and creating positive relationships with law enforcement
• Councilmember Dawn Luedtke for her participation in community affairs and advocation for Village residents at the county level
• MVF Board Member Scott Dyer was honored with a tree planting to commemorate his 15+ years of service on the Board and his past role as President

Staff Service Awards

• Martha Cruz, Community Manager – 10 years
• Maria Pullifrone, Senior Graphic Designer – 10 years
• Dana Workman, Assessment/Collections Manager – 30 years

Employee Recognition Awards

• Marnovan Alvero, Recreation Specialist
• Erica Choucroun, Executive Assistant
• Lauren Hydorn, Aquatics Manager
• Maggie Laing, Recreation Specialist
• Petra Padilla, Programming and Aquatics Operations Manager
• Darlene Richardson, Assistant Parks and Property Manager
• Ruth Stadius, Director of Communications

Ayres also recognized EVP Mike Conroy for 20 years of service. Conroy also recognized the upcoming retirement of General Counsel Christopher Hitchens with a tribute to his contributions.