ARKDALE LAKE DISTRICT ANNUAL MEETING SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2025, AT 9:00 AM

STRONGS PRAIRIE TOWN HALL HIGHWAY 21 AND CHURCH ST ARKDALE, WISCONSIN

Anyone wanting to nominate an individual for Commissioner needs to send that person's name to Mary Jo Meyer, Recorder, Arkdale Lake District, PO Box 79, Arkdale, WI 54613, ASAP. One Commissioner position will be open. This will be a three-year term. The Commissioners and their terms are as follows: Tim Meyer (3 years); Eric Moulton (2 years); and Craig LaCount (1 year). Craig’s term is the open position. We will review this year’s lake management efforts, the 2026 management plans and the 2025/26 budget.

AGENDA:    

1. Call to order
2. Minutes from the September 7, 2024, annual meeting
3. 2024/25 Updates
   • Township appointed commissioner change
   • Equipment maintenance
   • Weed management
   • Dam maintenance
4. 2026 Plans
   • Update on DNR letter outlining required dam changes
   • Dam maintenance plan
   • Weed harvesting
   • Equipment maintenance
5. Treasurer's report
6. District Approvals
   • 2026 budget
   • Commissioner election
7. Volunteer recognition
8. New business
9. District Member Input
10. Adjourn

Special Meeting 9/23/23 at 9 AM

Dear Arkdale Lake District Members,

During our annual meeting in May, we discussed the condition of our weed harvester and the need to replace it or find an alternative method for managing the weeds in the lake. The board will hold a Special Meeting on Saturday September 23 at 9:00 AM at the Strong’s Prairie Town Hall. The purpose of this meeting is to vote on one of the five options for managing the lake weeds.

The following is the agenda for the Special Meeting:

• Call to order
• Weed Management Current State Review
• Weed Management Options
• Open Discussion 30 minutes
• District Selection Vote
• Adjourn

The five options for weed management are:

1. Purchase a new weed harvester to replace the old one that is no longer serviceable. New smaller harvesters are running $120,000 to $150,000 and typically take 1 year to build. The district currently has $69,000 saved and would likely require an additional loan to finance the remaining amount. If a loan is required, an increase in the special assessment tax would also be required to pay back the loan. A Grant is available to help pay for a portion of the costs. The district is in the process of applying for the grant. If we are approved for the Grant, the timing is likely next summer or fall.

2. Purchase a used weed harvester to replace the old one. Used weed harvesters are in short supply and are running anywhere from $60,000 to $90,000, there is one that may come available this fall in the $70,000 range. Again, we have $69,000 available and the same Grant is available for as used harvester as well.

3. Contract to treat the weeds chemically. Chemical treatments must be done professionally and are estimated to cost $15,000 per application. A DNR permit is required annually.

4. Contract to weed management company to harvest the weeds for us. Several contractors were contacted for pricing estimates, only one responded. The estimate that was provided is $5000 per day.

5. The last option is to do nothing, let the weeds go unmanaged. This has the potential for lowering the annual special assessment tax, but also letting invasive plant species take over the lake.

This decision is very important for the future management of the lake. This implications for this decision could impact the need for additional volunteers, the potential for additional loans, new contracts and potential increases or decreases in the annual special assessment tax we all pay. I encourage all of you to join us so that your questions can be answered and your vote can be counted. Only district members who are present at the meeting can vote for an option. The district will determine how the weeds are to be managed at this meeting.

I look forward to seeing you all on Saturday, September 23^rd and 9 AM at the Strong’s Prairie Townhall.

Thank you,

Steve Haskell

Chairman, Arkdale Lake District.

Slides of meeting 9-23-23

ARKDALE LAKE DISTRICT BOARD MEETING MONDAY,

                   MAY 3, 2025, AT 9:00 A.M.

STRONGS PRAIRIE TOWN HALL HIGHWAY 21 AND CHURCH ST ARKDALE, WISCONSIN

This meeting of the Arkdale Board of Commissioners to discuss lake management activities, summer projects, and review the budget and expected expense. We will also discuss any new business items. The last portion of the meeting will be held on the south berm of the dam where we will evaluate the need for rip rap maintenance.

AGENDA:     1.   Call to Order

2. Review maintenance needs for the upcoming weed harvesting season
3. Review lake maintenance plans
4. Review current budget and expected expenses
5. New business
6. Travel to south berm
7. Review rip rap needs and determine next course of action
8. Adjourn