The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District is expected to have its largest levy increase in the past six years, citing increased costs such as this year's flood damage and the growing battle to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species.
The proposed $8.3 million levy from property owners in the 181-square-mile watershed — a nearly 5 percent increase from this year — is the largest increase since 2009. That means residents from Minneapolis to Minnetrista will see a bump in the amount of property taxes that fund the Watershed District, which covers Minnehaha Creek, Lake Minnetonka, the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes and Minnehaha Falls.
"We think our work is a very good value," said Sherry White, the Watershed District's board president.
The 2015 levy increase, for instance, will cost the owner of a $300,000 home $4 a month. The Watershed District, among the largest in the metro area, is supported by taxpayers in parts of 27 cities and two townships in Hennepin and Carver counties.
The board's six members approved the proposed $14 million budget earlier this month and will vote on final approval in December.
Flooding damage, increased costs to clean up parts of Minnehaha Creek and Lake Minnetonka, added water quality monitoring and a boost in aquatic invasive species prevention measures have contributed to a more than 9 percent increase in the Watershed District's budget for next year.
It affects some or all of residents in Chanhassen, Deephaven, Edina, Excelsior, Golden Valley, Greenwood, Hopkins, Independence, Laketown Township, Long Lake, Maple Plain, Medina, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, Minnetonka Beach, Minnetrista, Mound, Orono, Plymouth, Richfield, Shorewood, Spring Park, St. Bonifacius, St. Louis Park, Tonka Bay, Victoria, Watertown Township, Wayzata and Woodland.
Last year, the levy was increased 2 percent, the first time the district's levy went up since 2009.
