Here are some real facts, as found on the Deephaven web site
Property Taxes
The City of Deephaven has posted the 2020 Property -Tax increase in-depth review found under special reports. This report shows a 17.5% property tax increase for 2020. This will raise our taxes to be the ninth highest in the metro area. Yes, this council has kept taxes down, until now. The purpose of this increase is primarily to fix our roads that we all have been asking for over the past years. Rather than being responsible, and listening to the community, which could have meant a 3-4 % increase over these years to not let the roads fall into such disrepair. This council is so proud of its fiscal management, but now the day has come. Deferred maintenance is always more expensive. This is poor leadership.
Deephaven Sanitary Sewer
Met council (sewer) charges. In 2015 Deephaven exceeded the allowable inflow rate, and we needed to pay $249,000 to rectify this over four years. Our charges from MET Council have increased as such:
2016 – 23.3%
2019 – 11.7%
2020 – 3.8%
Our city has projected costs will increase by 3.8%. Let me explain something. The reason for the overflow is directly tied to the new houses being constructed with 4, 5, or more toilets. The existing housing stock did nothing to add to this amount unless we all have been flushing four times more over the past five years. Even though 98% of Deephaven had nothing to do with this price increase, we all get to help the poor people who built huge houses. Why is there not a building fee to cover the increase? Why do we not charge by the toilet, rather than by home? There are many toilet homes still in Deephaven. Why do they need to pay for the excessive lifestyle of the wealthy?
In 2019 our sewer rates increased by $10 per quarter per household. ($40 per year)
Another $10 per quarter per household is recommended in 2020. ($40 per year)
If the MET council charge is over 4% then another $10 per quarter per household will be charged in the future. Of course, this will happen as more mega homes are built
Deephaven Storm Sewer
The 2020 rate increase is expected to be $1.5 per month per household or $18 per year. This is primarily the result of a storm sewer system that was built for the existing community. The new higher volume run-off is due to new houses that received hardcover variances. (Small detail, the hardcover is defined by the state of Minnesota’s storm sewer management guidelines includes the entire roof. We calculate the house, meaning we might be miscalculating by 15-20%)
There are no estimates for new storm sewer holding ponds that are required and have been since the 1960s per the Minnehaha watershed, three river parks, Minnesota, and the federal government. This could be a very significant future cost, which is yet another example of how deferred maintenance and city management will cost us more. This is a huge topic this council refuses to discuss. We have flooded all around our city due to excess runoff, and poor management of our ordinances.
Let’s total things up
If we add the 17.5% 2020 proposed tax increase and the hidden “fees” of $58 per household, the community is in for a shock. Of course, if we win our campaign, the supporters of the present council will start to generate lies and bad feelings in the community, blaming us, as big tax and spend guys.
If we find we must by law create significant runoff ponds and underground infrastructure, it could cost millions of dollars, and a significant assessment. Our streets today are the storm sewer system. As each new home with the three times larger roof, and wider driveways dumping that water directly, with no divergence system, we will see more flooding of the lower lots and an increase in property damage. to the street
These are all facts and can be easily backed up on the Deephaven website. I think this needs to be brought to light before the elections. This is not attacking, this information and transparency, something we dearly need in the city.
Final thought
Trees have a significant lessening impact on runoff. If this city continues to allow our trees to be cut, without replacing them, the runoff issues will increase. Again, this is called city management. Ask yourself...