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Lake district tax OK’d

Waupaca Common Council votes to levy $10,000

By Angie Landsverk


For the first time in decades, Waupaca property owners will be taxed to support the Waupaca Inland Lakes Protection and Rehabilitation District.

The common council voted 9-0 on Aug. 20, to levy $10,000 for the district’s 2020 budget.

Ald. Paul Hagen was absent.

There is a separate line on the tax bill for this levy.

“It’s the first time since I believe 1979 that the line will show up on the tax bill,” said Kathy Kasza, the city’s finance director/treasurer.

For a $100,000 homeowner, the tax impact will be about $2, she said.

While much of the district’s efforts center on Mirror and Shadow lakes, the entire city makes up the district.

Parks and Recreation Director Andrew Whitman said the district includes other waterways as well.

The Crystal and Waupaca rivers run through parts of Waupaca.

District funds may also be used for storm sewers.

“I believe that is why it was set up that way,” he said.

The district meets annually to set its budget for the next year.

Its balance on hand has decreased as the city continues addressing aquatic invasive species (AIS) in Mirror and Shadow lakes.

As of this month, the balance is $1,861.21, according to Kasza.

The district’s proposed 2020 revenue of $29,054 includes a $19,054 grant.

The grant and $10,000 levy would go toward the cost of updating the city’s lake management plan.

Its current plan dates back to 2012.

DNR invasive species grants

The city wants to seek grants from Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to manage AIS in the two lakes.

Eurasian watermilfoil is in Shadow and Mirror lakes.

Curly-leaf pondweed and zebra mussels are in Shadow Lake.

Volunteers and certified divers have worked to pull invasive species out of the lakes.

The DNR told the city it needs to update its lake management plan before it qualifies for AIS management grants.

Whitman said the city will only update the plan if its get the grant.

It would cover 67% of the plan’s cost.

The district’s proposed 2020 costs are $28,165, with most of it for the plan update.

“The long-term goal is to get the plan done, study AIS and if needed, move toward an AIS management grant with the DNR,” Whitman said.

He also told the council to expect a request of $10,000 annually from the district to build up its fund.

Sandy Testin said Friends of Mirror and Shadow Lakes has worked for almost two decades to protect Waupaca’s water, particularly its two inland lakes.

The Aug. 17 triathon highlighted Shadow Lake, and she noted the number of children who learn to swim at its beach.

David Dresia has lived on Mirror Lake’s north shore for 20 years.

He said the algae situation is getting worse and urged the city to get to the root of the phosphorous flowing into the lake.

Whitman said it will be part of the study to update the lake management plan.

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