Inland Lakes commissioners approve $5,600 operating budget, keep levy at $10,000

The Inland Lakes Protection and Rehabilitation District on Aug. 19 approved a roughly $5,600 operating budget for 2025 and adopted Resolution IL54 to maintain the district property tax levy at $10,000. The district’s budget, presented by Parks and Recreation Director Laura Colbert, funds professional water testing, weekly E. coli beach tests, goose management and native plantings along the channel between Mirror and Shadow lakes. Colbert said the plan also adds a first-time river-water test on the Waupaca River to establish a baseline. Colbert told commissioners the district paid for spring and fall lake testing, summer sampling for phosphorus and chlorophyll, and a weekly E. coli program that produced one high result followed by clean follow-up tests. She said the budget included a $3,500 goose roundup (of which $900 came from the Friends of Opaca Parks account) and $1,284 for plantings to reduce sand migration into the channel. Nut graf: District leaders said the modest levy and spending keep operating work current while preserving a fund balance—about $40,769 projected at year-end—to cover potential dredging or future lake management plan work without asking for a higher tax levy. District discussion focused on maintaining water quality and preventing sand from filling the channel. Colbert said robust native plantings may avert near-term dredging. Commissioners asked procedural questions during the public hearing; no members of the public testified for or against the posted budget during the hearing. Formal action: Commissioners moved to approve the budget and adopt Resolution IL54. A roll call recorded 10 ayes and the motion carried. Ending: The district adjourned and said the next annual meeting normally falls in August 2026, subject to call.