Lake District

After extensive research, the Task Force has concluded that the establishment of a Lake District is the best way to ensure that we manage the lake ecosystem for the benefits of aquatic and human health, recreational activities, and property values. The creation of the proposed Lake District is necessary define the present and anticipated problems of Tug Lake, identify their causes, and implement various education and/or remedial measures to deal with the problems. Creation of the Tug Lake District allows the undertaking of activities such as: protection of the fishery; control of harmful blue green algae, aquatic weeds and/or invasive species; reduction and/or treatment of harmful sedimentation to abate internal nutrient cycling; and improvement of the health of the Tug Lake ecosystem.

Sign The Petition

what are lake districts?

Lake Districts are special purpose unites of government designed to protect and rehabilitate lakes and their ecosystem for the benefit of resident, property owners and the general public. Since they were first authorized in Wisconsin in 1973, more than 250 lake Districts have between established in Wisconsin including four in Lincoln County. These districts work to manage and protect water quality, manage nuisance invasive species, and undertake other activities to maintain lake ecosystem, recreation and property values. lake Districts must be organized and operated in accordance with Chapter 33 of the Wisconsin Statutes.

How Are Lake Districts Established?

The first step toward establishing a Lake District is a Petition circulated among property owners with its proposed boundaries. The Petition includes a map and legal description of the proposed Lake Districts's Boundaries. The boundary includes all parcels the Tug Lake Task Force considered would benefit by the establishment of The District, including all waterfront parcels and some nearby parcels that include deeded lake access, share access lots, or other preferential access arrangements to access and enjoy Tug Lake.

The proposed Lake District includes a total of 109 parcels and 122 property owners who are potentially eligible to sign the petition. Each owners has the opportunity to "vote" YES by signing the petition. Every signature or "vote" counts toward the needed 51% or about 63 owners. Once a sufficient number of signed Petitions have been returned to Tug Lake Task Force, they will be presented to the Lincoln County Board of Directors for approval. If a majority of County Supervisors approve, the Lincoln County board will officially establish the District.

How will The Lake District Operate?

Once the County Board declares the Lake District organized, the Tug Lake District will be able to undertake critical lake management activities under state law. the Lake District will be a vehicle to enable fair and equitable solutions to issues and concerns regarding the continuing maintenance of Tug Lake with every property owner sharing costs and participating in the decision-making process.

What are the goals of the Lake District?

Fund any expense needed to maintain our lakes' quality and assist in protecting lake properties for preset owners and future generations to come.
Manage and control the mitigation of harmful blue green algae.
Levy a property tax or "special charge" if authorized by District members at the Annual Meeting.
Borrow money for special purposes with approval at the Annual Meeting.
Make contracts for water quality monitoring and treatment.
Apply for and obtain State and other grants.

How will the lake districts Budget be Determined?

The District's property owners and residents determine which projects and activities the Lake District will pursue and approve all spending decisions through an Annual Budget considered at an Annual Meeting each summer. Each year the Board of Commissioners will propose an Annual Budget for the Lake District, which must be mailed to each District property owner at least 14 days before the Annual Meeting. (That meeting must be held between May 22 and September 8 of each year) The budget must be approved by a majority vote at the Annual Meeting and the Board must manage the District in strict accordance with the adopted budget.

How will district Operations be Funded?

As part of the Annual Budget, the lake District will determine how to raise revenue needed to pay for the Districts's lake management program. State grants are available for some Lake District activities (including management of invasive species like Eurasian water milfoil but those grants must be matched by local funds. Some other District projects and activities will depend on local funds. Most Lake Districts rely on either general taxes or a "special charge" on each parcel to raise revenue. But these and other budget decisions can only be made by the property owners present at the Annual Meeting. Although we cannot commit to an amount of a tax levy until the Lake District is established and it is voted on at the Annual Meeting, below is an illustration of potential tax levies and budget allocations.