Glen Lake Aquatic Plant Management District

1
Glen Lake Aquatic Plant Management District

• Special Meeting of the Glen Lake Protective
  Association, August 21, 2008, Town of Queensbury
  Center

2
Our Goal this evening?To Hear From You

• This is your opportunity to ask questions,
  express concerns, give opinions for or against,
  and make suggestions.

3
Lake Maintenance Donations

• 2000 gt 3,000
• 2001 gt 3,000
• 2002 gt 3,000
• 2003 2,950
• 2004 3,010
• 2005 16,201 (Aquathol - 100,000)
• 2006 9,610
• 2007 12,290
• 2008 20,376 (Sonar - 150,000)

includes calendar sales, which earned
approximately 6,000/yr includes Milfoil
Fundraising Campaign
4
How did we pay for it?
5
How did we pay for it?

• Aquathol (control pondweed) Town of Queensbury
  contributed 50,000, including a 15,000 donation
  from the Great Escape. In addition, we received a
  16,000 grant from the NYS Invasive Species
  Grant.
• 2/3rd of funding from outside

6
How did we pay for it?

• Sonar (control milfoil) Town of Queensbury
  contributed 75,000. 2008 NYS Invasive Species
  Grant application has not been released and is
  not a predictable source of funding.
• ½ of funding from outside
• GLPA raised 34,000 from intensive fund raising.
  1/3rd of households did NOT contribute.

7
The Future of Glen Lake

• - Nuisance aquatic vegetation can not be totally
  eradicated. The plants will grow back and new
  species are on the way.
• - Ongoing management will be needed.
• - It has been estimated that every three to
  five years a maintenance program costing
  approximately 100,00 to 200,000 will be needed.

8
Our Options

• Continue present course and hope that outside
  funding will be available to supplement our Lake
  Maintenance contributions.
• Form a Taxing District.
• other?

9
The Present Course

• Annual voluntary fundraising would need to
  increase substantially. approx 35k per year
• Grant opportunities would be sought but few are
  presently available.
• Town, County, and State would continue to be
  asked for funds.

10
Aquatic Plant Management Taxing DistrictBENEFITS

• All households that benefit from access to Glen
  Lake would contribute to lake maintenance
• A consistent source of funding would be available
• Long-term, proactive management could be
  implemented instead of crisis management
• All monies collected for the district MUST be
  used in the district for aquatic management

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Aquatic Plant Management Taxing
DistrictDISADVANTAGES

• Queensbury Town Board would have ultimate
  authority over the district, although the GLPA
  could have an advisory role.
• Although such a district would give broad
  authority to management the lake and its
  watershed, it would not provide funding for
  non-water quality issues. For example, repairs to
  the dam, insurance costs, mailings or other
  association activities could not be paid for from
  this tax.

12
Aquatic Plant Management Taxing DistrictHOW TO
FORM

• Town Board makes a resolution to start the
  process
• Map, Plan, and Report would be prepared.
• properties included in district
• statement of purposes of the improvement district
• statement of tax rate and method of taxation (by
  assessment or benefit based)
• explanation of Town access to take needed action
• at completion, there is a 30 day referendum
  period for comments
• cost of 10,000 to 15,000 would come from town,
  but would be repaid by the district if formation
  is successful.
• Public hearing is held.
• Order establishing district is given if there is
  a consensus, or if there is enough organized
  dissent, a voting referendum would take place.

13
Taxation Types

• Benefit-based tax based upon benefit. This tax
  could set a flat rate for every household (all
  pay same), or it could set different unit rates
  based upon differing benefits. for example, 150
  per household tax for all, or could decide lake
  front should pay more than lake access, etc.

• Ad valorem based on assessed value. A
  percentage rate would be established based upon
  management projects and households would be taxed
  based upon the assessed value. for example,
  .50/1000 of assessed value at 300k assessment
  150 tax

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NO TAX CAP IS POSSIBLE!

• However, annual project budget recommendations by
  the GLPA could be approved by members and
  long-term management plans could be created to
  distribute costs over a number of years.
• Also, the Map, Plan, and Report would state the
  estimated maximum cost of improvement and give a
  cost to the typical property estimate.

15
Town involvement

• Town cannot be taxed by ad valorem taxation
• Town could be included in a benefit-based tax
  method
• Town could enter into a Contract For Services
  agreement with the GLPA. This would require an
  annual contract.

16
What you said.Survey Results

• 163 returned surveys out of approx 300 households
  54 return
• 122 75 favored the creation of a tax district
• 77 63 favored taxation by lot (same for all)
• 45 37 favored ad valorem taxation
• 41 25 were opposed to the tax district

17
Questions, Statements, Concerns, Considerations

• Please come forward and be heard