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With five of seven members present last week the Lake Improvement District Board of Directors made an early review of a proposed 2027 budget.  At this time the preliminary LID tax to be collected is proposed to increase 11 percent or $482,000 to $511,000.

The district encompasses properties within the Chisago Lakes watershed area, from Green Lake and Carlos Avery— east to Little Lake and the Center Lakes. If you are paying in to support the LID there will be a line item on your tax statement as a special levy.  The LID meets the first Monday night of the month at the Government Center. Last week members McBride and LaVasseur were not present. 

LID director Ben Elfelt explained at the meeting the budget  numbers are preliminary.  

Needed increases are tied to debt service (recent rebuild and repair of various lake leveling structures), inflation and early possible expenses for the “channel project.” The LID is pursuing enhancing navigation from North Center to North Lindstrom lakes. 

Last year the LID had a channel project expense line of $60,000 slotted into the budget,  and next year it is proposed to be $100,000.  The Board anticipates costs for doing more specific engineering/hydrologic models and field study at the channel site in order to get closer to finalizing an application for consideration by state regulators.

To aid in crafting a budget for 2027, Elfelt added that the LID has had a long relationship with another agency, the county Soil & Water Conservation District, and LID monies normally earmarked for this collaboration are flexible. Word is the usual amount can be shifted elsewhere, as SWCD has secured a good flow of grant funding for at least 2027.  This SWCD contribution is $40,000, so it can be shifted to get the channel line item to $100,000.

Meanwhile, a neighboring property owner likely impacted by development of the channel site asked about possible impacts to his  residence. (Blue Waters Leisure Park abuts the north side of the channel.) ‘Rusty’ Lammers said he’d like to notified of progress and be more involved in discussions.  

The township board is also having a voice as road rights-of way or easements  adjacent to the channel site are being affected.

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