Residents of the Mary Lane Utility District are asking the Village of Lac La Belle to review recent sewer billing changes that may disproportionately impact certain property owners and residents on fixed incomes.

According to the Village’s March 6, 2026 letter to residents, quarterly sewer billing will now include three components:

• User Fee: $260 per quarter (no change)
• License Fee: $40.58 per quarter (slight increase from $38)
• Former Tax Levy Portion: $101.96 per quarter

The regular sewer user fee and license fee increases are generally understood and accepted by residents.

However, the change involving the former tax levy portion raises important questions about how these costs are now being allocated.

Previously, this levy was collected through property taxes, where the amount assessed was based on property value. Under the proposed structure, the Village would move this levy into the sewer bill and distribute it equally among residences at $101.96 per quarter, or $407.84 annually per residence.

This represents a significant change in how these costs are distributed.

For example, many Autumn Woods condominium owners previously paid roughly $165 per year through the sewer tax levy included in property taxes. Under the new billing structure, that portion would now be billed at $407.84 annually.

Residents understand that sewer infrastructure must be funded and maintained. However, many are concerned that changing from a property-value-based tax levy to an equal per-residence charge may shift costs disproportionately onto certain housing types and households.

Residents believe this change deserves additional review to ensure the allocation method is fair and equitable for all properties served by the Mary Lane Utility District.

 
Key Concerns Raised by Residents:

• Change in allocation method
Costs previously assessed through property taxes based on property value are now distributed evenly across residences.

• Potential disproportionate impact
Equal distribution of the former levy may shift costs significantly for certain property types or households.

• Loss of tax deductibility
When these costs were part of property taxes, they could often be deducted on income taxes. When moved to utility billing, that tax treatment may no longer apply.

• Transparency and community input
Residents would like additional clarification regarding how the new allocation method was determined and whether alternative approaches were considered.

 
What Residents Are Requesting:

We respectfully ask the Village of Lac La Belle and the Lac La Belle Sewer Commission to:

• Review the method used to allocate the former tax levy portion of sewer costs among Mary Lane Utility District properties.

• Provide clear explanation and transparency regarding how the revised billing structure was calculated.

• Consider whether alternative allocation methods may provide a fairer distribution of costs across different property types and households.

 
Community Participation:

Residents who support reviewing the sewer fee allocation changes can sign this petition to show community interest in a thoughtful review of the issue.

Signing this petition does not oppose paying sewer fees. It simply asks the Village to review whether the new allocation method distributes those costs fairly among all properties within the Mary Lane Utility District.

Please consider signing the petition today and, if you are able, attending the upcoming Village meeting where residents will have an opportunity to share their concerns and ask questions.