Upper Twin
Lake Improvement District
The proposed lake management plan has been reviewed by the Minnesota DNR and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and approved to move forward to the next step.
Protect Our Lake.
Protect Our Investment.
Upper Twin Lake needs consistent treatment and long-term care. A Lake Improvement District (LID) gives us a fair, stable way to fund it.
Photo by Cheryl Smith
Why This Matters To You
Our lake does not improve on its own.
Right now, we rely on voluntary donations to fund invasive weed treatment and water quality work. In most years, fewer than 10 households provide most of the funding.
That isn’t fair. And it isn’t sustainable. Without steady funding:
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Treatments may be delayed or reduced
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Invasive weeds can spread
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Water quality can decline
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A small group carries most of the cost
A Lake Improvement District creates shared responsibility so every lake shore owner contributes fairly. This protects the lake — and protects what we all value about living here.
Photo by Chuck Kendall
Cost Transparency
What Will It Cost?
Annual 2027 Cost: $280 per lake shore property
Roughly $23 per month
This estimate is based on the current lake treatment plan and projected annual management needs.
The budget process going forward will look very similar to how the Association operates today — with one key difference...Instead of voluntary donations, funding will be shared fairly and collected through a small annual levy.
Each year:
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The LID board will present proposed projects
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A budget will be shared with lakeshore owners
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Meetings will be held for questions and discussion
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Owners will have the opportunity to be heard
The goal is transparency and shared responsibility — not expanded government control. Instead of relying on fundraising every year, a LID creates predictable funding so we can plan ahead and maintain the lake properly. Small, steady funding now prevents much larger problems later.
What is a Lake Improvement District (LID)?
A Lake Improvement District (LID) is a funding tool created by the State of Minnesota in 1973 to help lakes protect water quality and manage long-term health. It allows lakeshore property owners to create a small, dedicated tax that can only be used for lake-related work.
The proposed management plan for Upper Twin Lake includes:
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Invasive aquatic weed treatment
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Water quality monitoring
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Prevention of zebra mussels, giant snails and other invasive species
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Long-term lake management strategies
A Lake Improvement District (LID) is a funding tool created by the State of Minnesota to help lakes protect water quality and manage long-term health. It allows lake shore property owners to create a small, dedicated tax across every lakeshore home that can only be used for lake-related work.
Protecting Property Values
Clear water matters.
A well-managed lake supports:
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Swimming and boating
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Healthy wildlife habitat
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Community pride
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Strong resale value
Unchecked weeds and algae hurt lake enjoyment and can reduce property desirability over time.
A LID helps ensure our lake remains clean, usable, and valuable for years to come.
Protecting the lake protects our investment.
How the LID
Will Be Managed
If approved, the LID will be governed by the same board members currently serving the Lake Association. The only difference is they will be operating under LID guidelines.
The board will:
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Hold regular public meetings
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Present annual project plans
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Share projected costs and budgets
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Provide updates on treatments and results
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Allow lakeshore owners to speak and ask questions
This is not a one-time decision. It is an ongoing, transparent process where lakeshore owners remain informed and involved
Photo by Chuck Kendall
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FAQ
Our Contacts
Chuck Kendall
President
Dan Priem
Vice President
Jessica Pike
Secretary
Tim Sullivan
Treasurer
Understanding
Lake Improvement Districts (LIDs)
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