City Hoards Taxpayer Money

Shorewood has a money problem. They have too much! At what point does prudent saving become hoarding at your expense?

Sept. 28, 2026 Shorewood Council Meeting 5 Minute Recap

Some items of interest from the Shorewood council meeting: – 2025 Financil Audit – Matters From the Floor Rules – Bolton & Menk Contract

“Shorewood’s Reserve Policy”Put Through the AI Test

We asked ChatGPT to review Shorewood’s Reserve Policy. In its simplest term, reserves are a savings account that the city holds in case of emergency. Shorewood City Council has adopted a Reserve Policy of 35% - 50% of next year's expenses.

Sept. 14, 2026 Shorewood Council Meeting 5 Minute Recap

Some items of interest from the Shorewood council meeting: - 2027 Preliminary Budget & Tax Levy - SCEC Operational Analysis - Galpin Lake Trail Grant

Shorewood’s Long-Term Financial Plan:What Will It Cost Taxpayers?

Shorewood’s 10-year financial plan provides a detailed look at where City finances are headed. The numbers raise an important question for residents: “Are we planning to spend what we need—or simply planning to find the money to pay for what we want?”

Policing by the numbers: The SLMPD budget

The South Lake Minnetonka Police Department Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) dictates the management and funding of the department. The JPA follows good governance principles like shared decision-making, but falls short on transparency and accountability.

August 10, 2026 Shorewood Council Meeting 4 Minute Recap

Some items of interest from the Shorewood council meeting: – Highway 7 Safety Study – Excelsior Fire District Budget: – South Lake Minnetonka Police Budget

Youth Program Calls Shorewood Community Center Home

While the Shorewood Community & Event Center (SCEC) has struggled to change its identity from “just for seniors”, a youth program has quietly and successfully used the center as its home base for over a decade. Who knew?

SCA & Citizens Unite to Transform Engineering Budget

It took two years, resident Barry Brown regularly speaking at council meetings, seven SCA articles and widespread pressure on the city council by residents, to rein in the burgeoning engineering fees charged by Bolton & Menk. Now, the council has hammered out a compromise we can live with.

12% City Tax Increase?

Are you prepared to take another tax increase? After a 29.4% tax and services increase over the last 4 years, city finance director Jeanne Schmuck presented city council with a proposed 12% tax increase for 2027.

Utility Bills Soar in Shorewood

Have you looked at your utility bill this past quarter? Residents are stunned to find it’s costing more than $100 more per quarter or $400 more per year - never mind the city's 9% property tax increase!

Death Debt & Taxes

$34.5M Debt! 117% Tax Increase! Shorewood is headed for a tsunami of debt. Based on city council’s approval of the 2026 Long-Term Financial Management and Capital Improvement Plans the city is continuing an unprecedented spending spree never seen before.

Shorewood Citizen Advocates

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