Some may forget that the Brown Ranch annexation was tied to 2,264 housing units — over 80% planned as multi-level, high-density buildings. That’s why the soils report mattered. Commissioned by YVHA and paid for with taxpayer dollars, it sat in Jason Peasley’s inbox, never shared with the YVHA board, City Council, or the public.

Transparency? Hardly. And what about the cost? Voters were asked to approve a blank-check project likely exceeding a billion dollars, with the city pledging millions in taxpayer support.

The developer promoted by YVHA leadership, The Michaels Organization, was even described by Mr. Peasley as “my developer.” Just two weeks after annexation failed at the ballot box, their CEO was indicted on 13 counts of fraud and racketeering.

And where’s the accountability for projects already completed? They’ve been handed off to management companies with zero visibility. YVHA should manage its own properties so the public can be assured they serve the local workers and families they were designed for.

Now, after taking a 10-week sabbatical, Mr. Peasley is defended as suffering “nonprofit burnout.” Let’s be clear: YVHA is not a nonprofit, and he is one of the highest-paid public employees in our community. Do our EMS workers, police, fire rescue, nurses, or doctors get a 10-week sabbatical? No. We should be calling this his severance pay.

Our community deserves to know all the facts, always! I agree its time to move forward on affordable housing.

Kelly Phillips is a Steamboat resident and is running for City Council in November.