The Devils Lake Neighborhood Association cannot and does not take a position in any election.  We do however try to help keep our neighbors aware of important issues that impact the neighborhood. 

On November 8, 2022, voters will be asked whether to approve an increase in property taxes for the next five years for the Devils Lake Water Improvement District (DLWID). If approved, funds will be used to continue District operations, which includes vegetation management, water quality testing, district operations, and special projects.

According to the 2022 General Election Voters Pamphlet the tax revenue from this measure would allow the Devils Lake Water Improvement District to continue its vegetation management program. Programs to be funded annually by the revenue include approximately $200,000 for targeted herbicide treatments, $50,000 for mechanical harvesting and disposal, and $67,000 for re-stocking and managing grass carp in Devils Lake. The district has in their operating budget monies for vegetation management, this additional levy is what the district needs to control the vegetation at its current level.

Given the clear history of rapid aquatic vegetation overgrowth in Devils Lake, vegetation management has become our key priority. Our district completed a successful treatment project which improved several acres of the Lake. However, this treatment only covered a limited amount of invasive milfoil eradication. Since the 2019 project, our waters have taken a major turn. A very prolific submerged plant has all but overtaken Devils Lake. In under 18 months what was very sparse vegetation has exploded to cover very large expanses of our waterbody. If the growth continues at this rate the lake will soon become non-navigable and negative impacts to fish and wildlife will increase. The district has begun a pilot targeted herbicide application program and is working with State Fish and Wildlife officials to reintroduce sterile grass carp as control methods. Additionally, a mechanical harvester has been contracted to work on the Lake to maintain navigability. Due to the cost of these management options additional funding is necessary to continue managing the vegetation overgrowth in Devils Lake.

The levy is $.2499 (In-Watershed) and $.128 (Outside-Watershed) per $1,000 of assessed property value. At the $.2499 rate a home valued at $300,000 would pay $75 per year or less. At the $.128 rate a home valued at $300,000 would pay $39 per year or less.