Vail council asked to take over rec district

VAIL – Kent Rose was true to his word.A few weeks ago, Rose told the board of the Vail Recreation District he would seek to have that district dissolved. Tuesday, he asked the Vail Town Council to do just that.Rose, a former Vail mayor, said he’s unhappy with the way the recreation district is being run, for a few reasons, including fiscal responsibility and how responsive the district is to its customers. But he acted when news broke that the district won’t collect the first year of a voter-approved tax increase this year because district officials failed to file the proper paperwork with Eagle County. Former district director Dennis Stein resigned after the mistake was discovered, citing a family emergency.With that as background, “The town needs to control its own destiny as far as resort recreation is concerned,” Rose said. State law allows a town to ask a special district within its boundaries to dissolve. That request sets off a chain of legal work that ends eventually in an election.”I don’t expect action tonight,” Rose said. “But we do need to set this for discussion.”Vail’s mayor said the council will probably talk about Rose’s request in April.”But it’s complicated,” Mayor Rod Slifer said. “It sounds easy, but it’s not. And the current members of the (recreation district) board aren’t just going to roll over.”But one member of the recreation district board said the town should at least explore its options.”I think an investigation could make the district more effective,” board member Scott Proper said. But Proper said it’s “premature” to ask the district to dissolve without a lot of homework first.But Rose said he’s seen enough.”If you do nothing, a petition to dissolve the district will be circulated,” Rose said. “I’m asking you to take the high road and manage your own destiny.”Staff Writer Scott N. Miller can be reached at 949-0555, ext. 613, or smiller@vaildaily.com.Vail Daily, Vail Colorado