A public meeting on the potential disbandment of the Thirty Lakes Watershed District is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Lake Edward Town Hall.
After 45 years of natural resources conservation work, the watershed district is seeking support to disband as a special taxing district.
A release from the district stated the disbandment is an effort to reduce duplication of services and lower residents' future property taxes.
At the meeting, a short presentation will be made by the district board of managers, followed by an opportunity for public input. Full-time resident property owners within the district will also be able to sign the disbandment petition. Lake Edward Town Hall is at 23977 County Highway 4 in Nisswa.
Originally, the district was established by an order of the Minnesota Water Resources Board in 1971 to address issues including lake water quality, lakeshore development, stormwater management and septic system regulations. Since its inception, the work of the district has been funded through an additional property tax paid by property owners within the district.
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The Thirty Lakes Watershed District encompasses 7 percent of Crow Wing County. The remaining 93 percent of the county is receiving the same services with no additional taxation, the county release stated. Since the district operates in addition to regional government units, this tax is in addition to city and county property taxes and is not a line item on district residents' property tax statements.
Over time, other government agencies, including Crow Wing County, the Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the city of Nisswa and the city of Breezy Point, began addressing these water issues. The county release stated this eliminates the need for both the district itself and the additional tax needed for funding. The district has not taxed property owners since 2012 due to a lack of approved projects requiring the district's assistance.
On Jan. 11, district managers unanimously supported the disbandment of the watershed district after reviewing and approving a report analyzing the purpose and function of the district. The managers concluded it is in the best interest of taxpayers for the district to disband, the release stated, allowing property owners to continue receiving high-quality water management services without additional property taxes.
More information, including the disbandment report, can be found at www.crowwing.us by searching "Thirty Lakes."
