County hears detailed SAD fund accounting for three lakes; DNR offers joint study and MOU review

Roscommon County received a comprehensive update on special assessment district (SAD) finances for Lake Saint Helen, Higgins Lake and Houghton Lake and a technical briefing from the Department of Natural Resources on Reedsburg Dam operations and options for collaboration.

Controller reported SAD fund figures: Lake Saint Helen had initial assessments of $350,000 and remaining available funds of roughly $131,638.76 after accounting for bond and expenses; Higgins Lake had a one‑year assessment of $400,000 with outstanding DNR payments (reported as roughly $90,005.32) and an available balance that the controller said was about $9,721.66; Houghton Lake's assessed total was $1,275,000 with collected amounts and bonds noted and cash available after bond obligations of about $229,002.54. The controller also detailed legal expenses and reimbursements from the general fund.

Dave Lamine, regional manager for the DNR wildlife division, reviewed historical hydraulic studies (1954 and a 2010 Spicer Group analysis), said Reedsburg Dam operations are governed by an MOU with USGS and reported staff removed three stop logs on March 20 to increase discharge. Lamine said the studies indicate that the Reedsburg Dam itself "does not have a direct impact" on Houghton Lake ischarge capacity in isolation and suggested the county and the DNR consider a joint engineered study of the river channel (estimated ~$100,000 total; roughly $50,000 county share in a 50/50 scenario) to identify pinch points and dredging feasibility.

Commissioners discussed coordination, the timing for design and bids, and next steps for communicating with affected townships and advisory groups; DNR staff said they will revisit the USGS MOU and continue meetings with the drain commissioner and lake managers.