New members installed, service awards given at MVF Annual Meeting

 The Montgomery Village Foundation (MVF) Board of Directors held its annual meeting on Thursday, March 21 at North Creek Community Center. During the meeting, newly elected members to the Board, Stuart Flatow and incumbents Susan Prince and Pamela Bort, were installed for their 2024-2027 term. Outgoing director Juan-Manuel Carrillo and treasurer Stephen Taylor were thanked for their service to the Board and the community. Prince, Flatow and Bort were announced as the winning candidates after the March 16 ballot counting. Watkins Mill High School senior Olivia Ormsby was also installed as the 2024 MVF Student Representative to the Board.

Board President Scott Dyer opened the meeting with an address to the Village, highlighting two important outcomes from 2023: (1) MVF offered as much as possible a lean budget, and (2) there was no increase again in the MVF Assessment, and a slight increase in the DU Assessment, mainly to keep up with rising labor costs for seasonal staff. Overall, however, the increase was less than projected in previous 5-year plans.

In terms of the community, he noted that Bloom Village is more than two-thirds complete, and he welcomed the Village’s newest residents. He said work continues at the Village Center with a host of new businesses that opened in 2023, along with 14 residential units settled and occupied as condos over the businesses. He mentioned the Evergreen Apartment Complex proposal resurfaced in 2023, the community again provided their feedback, and the developer ultimately chose not to proceed with the project. He also noted the proposed change to the housing type in Area 2 of Bloom Village along the soon-to-be-built extension of Stewartown Road, after community feedback, the developer chose not to pursue this concept. He added that Montgomery Village entered its 35^th consecutive year as a Tree City USA, and was honored with the county’s Tree Montgomery Program’s 10,000^th. In 2023, the old marquee sign at the Village Center was removed for a cleaner, more aesthetic look.

Moving on to recreation, Dyer stated that MVF acquired and opened the David B. Humpton Park, which includes the first dog park in the Village. He also talked about the construction and opening of the Watkins Mill Outdoor Fitness Area. Dyer also remarked that the Stedwick Pool renovation planning got underway in 2023 and the final concept was recently established. He spoke about another great Summers at South Valley Park Concert Series in 2023. And, meeting changing resident interests, MVF added new class and camp offerings that resulted in a record year of participation. Dyer observed that the sports courts at Apple Ridge Recreation Area were renovated to include a new basketball court and goals, as well as conversion of one tennis court into four pickleball courts. He remarked that LED sports court lights and push-button timers were installed at Watkins Mill Recreation Area and North Creek courts. He added that MVF began the process for solar panel installations on MVF facilities, as well as the application process for Theatre Pond renovation using a state bond bill.

Dyer highlighted achievements by the MVF Board, noting they approved the updated Recreation Strategic Plan to shape recreational offerings through 2028. He noted the Board reaffirmed its opposition to M-83, as well as investigated a pilot parking program at Apple Ridge Recreation Area. He noted that the Board also appointed MVF Director of Community Management Karen Kodjanian as the Village’s representative to the newly formed County Airpark  Community Advisory Committee. He also mentioned that the Board provided feedback and input on the Lakeforest site development plan, including traffic, transportation, pedestrian and safety concerns; the Board also engaged in discussions about an additional Upcounty community center on the site.

In terms of updates for MVF in particular, Dyer highlighted two changes: the retirement of former Executive Vice President (EVP) David Humpton in March 2023, and the hiring of new EVP, Mike Conroy, who was formerly Assistant Executive Vice President.

Dyer also welcomed new District 7 Montgomery County Councilmember Dawn Luedtke and her staff as community partners and advocates.

Dyer closed his remarks by thanking the MVF Board, staff, committee volunteers and residents for their support and dedication to the community. He said that without everyone’s time, input and skills, Montgomery Village would not be where it is today.

MVF Chief Financial Officer Daniel Salazar reviewed the 2023 financials, following an unmodified opinion given in the 2023 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 $3,470,848 compared to a budget of $585,686. He noted the main drivers as Revenue favorable to the budget by $2,593,557and lower-than expected Personnel Costs ($207,057) and Operating Costs ($294,774). Revenue was reported at $11,985,152 compared to a budget of $9,391,594 due mainly to significant increases in Miscellaneous Revenue (In-Kind Contribution) and Investment Income; however, Grant Revenue, Pool Memberships and Rentals, Camps and Classes and Capital Contribution Fees, returned significantly higher yields than planned for in the budget. He said the majority of the positive variance in Miscellaneous Revenue was due to the donation of David B. Humpton Park by Monument Realty. Investment Income saw higher returns from the portfolio. Grant Revenue was higher due to the completion and reimbursement of Watkins Mill Recreation Area. Camps and Classes saw their highest year for revenues in more than 10 years with renewed interest in classes, pool membership and facility rentals, which far exceeded the budgeted expectations. He said Capital Contribution revenue was higher because the actual Bloom Village units sold exceeded the expectations by 104 units. 

Salazar said expenses were all favorable to the budget, totaling $8,511,133 versus a budget of $8.805,907. He said almost all categories performed better than the budget, noting Insurance expense was higher to the budget because MVF obtained an additional umbrella insurance policy to maintain adequate coverage. Program/Maintenance Supplies saw an increase from the budget which corresponds with the additional revenues, because more payments were made to pay for instructors and program supplies. Equipment Maintenance was lower, primarily attributed to fewer purchases of expendable/small equipment, and Personnel costs were lower than budget due to vacant positions and the savings from salary differences from replacement of staff.

MVF Senior Accountant Mirna Rivas reported that Contributions to Reserves in the amount of $1,500,706 were made as prescribed by the budget. She added that $2,485,453 was invested in MVF assets, the Watkins Mill Recreation Area, the David B. Humpton Park, Phase 1, computer/IT, facility renovations and pool resurfacing.

The Reserve Investment portfolio increased over $848,436 from the previous year. She said overall performance was 12.4% compared to a benchmark of 14.8%.

The Balance Sheet showed MVF’s continued strong financial position, with MVF holding $27,229,372 in assets. Total Liabilities were reported at $1.533,658. He reported on MVF’s Current Ratio (assets over liabilities) as 3.25 versus a benchmark of 2.5 (over 2.5 is considered excellent), and the General Administrative Cost Ratio as 14%, 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

• Miles Dinh for coordination of a community-wide school supply drive
• Barry Wilcox for championing the growth, education and instruction of pickleball in the Village
• Boy Scout Troop 1988 for volunteer service at MVF-sponsored events
• Giedre Deltuvaite for independent cleanup patrol of Lake Whetstone and efforts to keep the community looking its best
• Tree Montgomery Program/Laura Miller for enhancing the landscape of the community through partnership of a tree planting program
• Silver Horse Security for their commitment to keeping Montgomery Village safe, and going above and beyond on behalf of the community
• Community Services Officer Melanie Romano for her dedication to the community and strengthening the relationship between residents and law enforcement
• MCPD Chief Marcus Jones for 38 years of service to the community and county in law enforcement

Outgoing Board Members

• Juan-Manual Carrillo for 3 years of service on the MVF Board of Directors
• Stephen Taylor for 3 years of service as the MVF Board of Directors Treasurer

Staff Service Awards

•  Kristen Eustace, Print and Digital Content Specialist – 5 years
• Tracy Skalitzky, Human Resources Director – 5 years
• Christopher Hitchens, General Counsel –10 years
• Trudi Gatons, Staff Accountant – 15 years
• Mary Holmes, Assessment and Collections Administrator – 20 years
• Darla Hyman, Receptionist – 25 years
• Henry Meneses, Facility and Maintenance Worker – 25 years

Employee Recognition Awards

• Christohper Hitchens, General Counsel
• Dana Workman, Manager of Collections and Assessments
• Mary Holmes, Assessments and Collections Administrator
• Cicely Buckingham-Sharpe, Recreation Secretary
• Lauren Tuori, Parks and Property Manager
• Tracy Skalitzky, Human Resources Director