ANNUAL MEETING FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is a lake district annual meeting?
The lake district annual meeting is where the electors and property owners approve the next year’s projects, budget, tax levy and elect commissioners. This is a practice that is used in other forms of local government and is not unique to lake districts. There are other powers assigned to the annual meeting (e.g. increase the size of the board of commissioners from three to five, approve borrowing, change the annual meeting date, etc.).
The lake district board has developed a proposed budget for the 2024 calendar year. This year’s budget includes operational expenses, matching expenditures for a Surface Water Grant from the DNR and the amount of levied taxes to make these expenditures. The assembly of electors and property owners at the annual meeting will vote on the proposed project, then the budget and finally the tax levy.
The lake district board must have approval of the participants of the annual meeting in order to initiate the proposed projects and to levy the taxes needed to fund the approved budget expenditures.
Who can vote at a lake district annual meeting?
This is a relatively easy question to answer. If you are an eligible voter and a resident of the lake district or a property owner, you can vote at the annual meeting. You can also vote if you are authorized to represent a trust, cooperation, foundation, or similar entity that owns property within the lake district. Property owners who are not listed on the tax rolls will have to prove ownership (providing a title or deed with their names).
Eligible electors or property owners must be present at the annual meeting to vote. There are no proxy or electronic votes (note: this is by state statute.) Also, each person gets one vote regardless of the number of properties owned.
Why should I come to the annual meeting?
A lake district is a special form of government. As such, it is designed to represent all of the people who live in the lake district. The annual meeting is the opportunity to have a direct impact on the operation of the lake district. The votes of the participants of the annual meeting determine the work and direction of the lake district.
The annual meeting is also an opportunity to become educated and updated on the management plan(s) for the lake and the status of projects to accomplish the goals within this plan.
Electors are an important part of the democratic process. It is the electors at the annual meeting who vote into office the commissioners who represent the residents and property owners of the district.
Who is running for lake district commissioner?
The names submitted for the commissioner election are posted on the Tainter Lake Rehabilitation District website (www.tainterlakedistrict.org). Each person listed on the website submitted nomination papers and answered two questions as to why they desire to be elected.
What are some of the items on this year’s agenda?
a). Bylaws: The initial Board of Commissioners has developed a number of bylaws that clarify state statute and preserve a number of processes that will be used to operate the lake district from year to year.
b). Number of elected commissioners: There is a proposal to permanently increase the number of elected commissioners from three to five. The intent is to increase the amount of representation and participation in lake district governance.
c). Project for 2024: There is one project proposed for the 2024 calendar year. That project is to create a management or strategic plan for the improvement of Tainter Lake. This project will hopefully be primarily funded through a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Surface Water Grant Program. The grant will be written and submitted this fall by the lake district board.
d). Proposed Budget: The proposed budget has been discussed at several board meetings and a summary has been mailed to property owners. The budget summary has also been posted twice in the Colfax Messenger and the Dunn County News.
e). Tax levy: The total proposed budget is $15,731.28. The estimated tax impact to fund this budget is $9.66 per $100,000 of assessed valuation. It is estimated the average property value of $250,000 will see a tax increase of $24.15. The budget and corresponding tax levy will be explained in detail before the vote at the annual meeting.
f). Lake district commissioner elections: Commissioners will be elected at the annual meeting. The terms of the commissioners will be staggered. This means the commissioner with the most votes will get a three-year term, the next highest will get a two-year term and the least number of votes a one-year term. Voting will be done by paper ballots.
The annual meeting is an opportunity for all electors of the lake district to actively participate in the governance process. This meeting determines the direction and the work plan for the upcoming year and the budget to support this work.