Item Description:
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Approve minor plan amendment to the West Mississippi Watershed Mgmt Plan; set West Mississippi Watershed Mgmt Commission 2027 max levy at $106,050 for projects to improve water quality
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the plan amendment submitted by the West Mississippi Watershed Management Commission, including a revised capital improvement program, be approved; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the 2027 maximum levy for the West Mississippi Watershed Management Commission be set at $106,050; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the levy be certified to the county auditor and placed on all taxable property under the jurisdiction of the West Mississippi Watershed Management Commission.
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Background:
The West Mississippi Watershed Management Commission has proposed a minor plan amendment to its Watershed Management Plan. The minor plan amendment adds one water quality project to the commission’s Capital Improvement Plan.
Staff reviewed the commission’s proposed minor plan amendment and found it to be consistent with Minnesota Statutes section 103B.251, with the Surface Water Management section of the Hennepin County 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update, and the Hennepin County Natural Resources Strategic Plan. As a result, staff recommend approval of the proposed minor plan amendment. Additional information about the minor plan amendment is provided in a supplemental staff recommendation report (Attachment 1).
The West Mississippi Watershed Management Commission has proposed a maximum 2027 special projects levy of $106,050 to fund the commission’s portion of the project costs to complete one water quality project that is a priority in the commission’s capital improvement plan. The project will achieve the commission’s goals to improve water quality and wildlife habitat of the Mississippi River.
The project to be implemented in part by the levy funds is:
• Maple Grove Street Sweeper - This project will assist the City of Maple Grove in funding the purchase of a street sweeper to enhance a systematic municipal street sweeping program and reduce pollutant loading to local wetlands and the Mississippi River. Street sweeping is one of the most cost-effective best management practices for improving water quality. The total cost of the project is $400,000 and the commission requests a levy of $106,050. The remainder of costs will be shared by the City of Maple Grove, the Elm Creek Watershed Management Commission, and the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission.
Levies authorized pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 103B.251, are exempt from any statutory limitation on taxes. A county levying a tax under Minnesota Statutes, section 103B.251, shall not include that tax in the county’s general levy but shall separately certify that amount to the county auditor. The county auditor shall extend that levy as a special taxing district. The commission must certify its final levies to the county auditor prior to October 1, 2026.
Current Request: This request is to approve the West Mississippi Watershed Management Commission minor plan amendment and set the West Mississippi Watershed Management Commission 2027 maximum levy at $106,050 for a project that will improve water quality.
This request also establishes that the levy be certified to the county auditor and placed on all taxable property under the jurisdiction of the commission.
Impact/Outcomes:
This request protects water resources and improves the environment for people and wildlife and contributes to the county’s climate action goals. The Maple Grove Street Sweeper project will help collect pollutants before they enter waterways and the Mississippi River to support a healthier urban environment.
Approval of this request fulfills the county’s responsibility to review watershed plan amendments and levy requests per Minnesota Statutes, section 103B, and allows certification of the maximum levy to the county auditor for inclusion in Truth in Taxation statement.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval