Editor's Note: This is the conclusion of a letter published in The Reporter on August 28.
Further, Wild Rose Casino's proposed assessment is nearly $367,000 and we believe they will gain little benefit in improved drainage. At the time the Casino was built, the City required them to construct a pond large enough to hold the rain water from their land and they did that. Further, the Casino donates a percentage of their profits each year to The Palo Alto County Gaming Corporation and that organization distributes that money to various grant proposals in the County. As we recall, the first year's donation was about $900,000 and the second year was about $1.6 million. Less profits for the Casino means less money to the County grants.
Of course, the City's share of this improvement will be passed on to you in higher taxes in the future. Do you want that? If not, we urge you to join many of the farmland owners in opposing this proposed project and let your City Council representatives and the mayor know that this proposal is not economically feasible, and the City should study more economical ways to alleviate the drainage problems. Ask them to withdraw their petitions. Also contact your County Board of Supervisors.
The next meeting is scheduled for September 19 at the VFW in Emmetsburg when a final decision is to be made and we believe the County Board of Supervisors, as Trustees for the District, will vote to approve this project.