On June 16, 2025 consultants from Northland Public Finance completed a Long Range Financial Plan (2026 – 2035) for Shorewood. The headline say it all with the Tax Levy skyrocketing from $7.5M in 2025 to $16.4M in 2035*1 – a 118% increase. And, between 2026 and 2031 the city plans to increase its bond debt by another $21.6M. Today the taxpayers already owe $22.4M, mostly from bonds, for large projects on Birch Bluff, Strawberry Lane and Glen Road.
118% TAX INCREASE
This might be acceptable if the city was expecting extraordinary population growth that would require increases to staff, public works and expansion of roads, trails and parks – but it’s not. Shockingly, in a city of 3000 homes, the 10 year plan calls for just 100 new homes but will increase taxes by 118%. Ridiculous! Even more ridiculous is that the plan adds just 3 full-time employees and 2 part time employees. What are taxpayers getting for a 118% increase? That’s not all – projected water related increases for 2035 are: (+170% water; + 85.7% sanitary sewer: + 155% storm water).
TAX LEVY COMPARISONS
Based on current and past budget reports from Shorewood, Met Council and Minnetonka Schools, the following data was extrapolated for comparisons. Your comments are strongly encouraged and will be quite enjoyable to read!
| Year | Shorewood*1 | Met Council*4 | Minnetonka Schools*5 |
| 2025 | $7.5M | $96M | $54M |
| 2035 | $16.4M | $125M | $72M |
| % Increase | 118% | 30% | 33% |
$21.6M BOND DEBT
The additional Bond Debt might be needed for roads, water lines and parks but there are no details presented in the plan. How did they budget for roads, water and parks without knowing the specific replacement or maintenance needs?
Currently the city is paying $651,223 for interest alone in 2025 on previous bond debt. Those interest payments will explode to $1,195,741 in 2031. The annual bond debt re-payment in 2025 is $1,846,223 and is projected to be $3,270,741 in 2031*2 (Note: the city’s total general budget in 2025 is $7.5m).
BOLTON & MENK CONNECTION
Prior to engineering consulting firm Bolton & Menk being hired as the City Engineer, Shorewood had very little debt and paid for most things from the taxes collected each year. Five & a half years later the city is in debt by $22.4M and looking to add $21.6M more in the next 6 years. As a reminder, Bolton & Menk billed residents $7.0m solely for engineering cost for those initial projects. (See $7 Million: Shorewood Spends BIG on Engineering Firm Bolton & Menk).
RETIREES EXIT?
Currently Shorewood has approximately 1,150 residents over the age of 65 and is expected to expand to 2,000 or just under 26% of Shorewood’s population*3 by 2035. Many will be on fixed incomes and some will be forced to move. A responsible Mayor, City Council and City Administrator MUST represent all residents.
Please comment below and forward this message to your friends and neighbors.
*1 Source: Shorewood Long Range Financial Plan page #8
*2 Source: Shorewood Long Range Financial Plan page #20
*3 Sources: Minnesota State Dept. Demographic Data & US Census Bureau
*4 Source: Met Council Unified Final Adopted Budget & MN Legislatures Transportation & Finance
*5 Sources: MN Management and Budget State Revenue Forecast
