02/08/2006 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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♦ We are also updating the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) outlining how the watershed is managed. The ability to receive funding through tax levy is one change being considered along formalizing our Technical and Citizen Advisory Committees. We hope to start discussion among our members very soon, with consensus on language by mid year. ACCOUNTABILITY for public funding will be built into the JPA, particularly from a cost and benefit perspective. You, as the elected representatives of your communities, will be a part of the drafting of the new JPA and will continue to play a vital role in this watershed. MINNESOTA STATUTES section 103B.241 (attachment C) gives watershed management organizations the ability to levy a tax to cover the costs of writing and implementing a Watershed Management Plan. However, VLAWMO will need designation as a special taxing district in the tax code (M.S. 275.066) to implement this levy authority. This requires legislative action. Middle Mississippi WMO became a special taxing district in 2000 and now has levy authority. REQUEST: Please consider the enclosed sample Resolution of support for VLAWMO to become a special taxing district or other letter at your January or February meeting. (See attachment A) Discussions with our local State Legislators have indicated your support is critical to this legislative request. If you would like your Commissioner or me to attend your meeting to discuss the issue please let us know. The VLAWMO needs funding to adequately address its responsibility that is closer to what other metro area watersheds receive. The Legislative effort is a one -line addition of VLAWMO's name to the list of Special Taxing Districts under M.S. 275.066 (attachment B). The Board wishes to thank you for the extension of the current Joint Powers Agreement. We plan to use this time productively as we work on the Watershed Management Plan and Joint Powers Agreement updates, the levy request and, of course, normal watershed business such as administering the Wetland Conservation Act, completing the Lambert Lake Governor's Clean Water Initiative project, and monitoring for the 10th year, nine basins through the volunteer Citizen's Lake monitoring program. Communication is key in the next year. Please let us know if you have questions or comments. We would be happy to visit your Board, Council or Environmental committee meetings. Sincerely, Stephanie McNamara, Administrator — Wetland Specialist for the VLAWMO Board of Commissioners Enclosures 3 2