With property tax bills arriving, many property owners in the District may be asking why the amount for lake dues is higher. The rate for the annual lake dues has not changed; the amount on this tax bill is for an 18 month period. At the 2019 Annual Lake District meeting, the membership approved transitioning our fiscal budget to match the calendar year, so instead of a July through June budget, it will now be a January through December budget. In order to transition to a calendar year budget, we had a six month budget this year from July 1st to December 31st. The amount added to your taxes is for an 18 month period covering through 2021. That is why the amount is 1.5 times higher this year. Next year, the bills will be for a standard 12 month period.
At the 2020 annual meeting on September 19th, Mike Bluemel presented information compiled by the Harvester Committee on potential harvesters and an operational plan. The citizens present at the meeting overwhelmingly voted for the purchase of a weed harvester and the associated operational budget for 2021.
After extensive discussion at multiple meetings, the WLMD board voted on November 2nd to purchase a harvester from Inland Lake Harvesters located in Burlington. The picture below is not the exact model purchased but is the same size. The purchase will also include a conveyor trailer that will be used to move the harvester and also to haul/dispose of the lake weeds. A State grant will cover 35% of the purchase cost and the harvester will be ready for the 2021 season.
Special thanks to the members of the Harvester Committee: Chairman Mike Bluemel, Bruce Rosenquist, Jeremy Sauld, Jim Marks, Jerry Kotarek, and John Landry. They volunteered their time and donated their travel costs to research the best option for Wind Lake.
Why is Wind Lake so low or high? Some answers about the Wind Lake Dam. Read the Wind Lake levels FAQs.
Latest Wind Lake Dam Engineering Report
The Wind Lake dam is controlled by Racine County. Any questions or concerns can be directed to Racine County at 262-886-8440.