REGIONAL —The St. Louis County Board delayed a decision Tuesday on a petition to transfer 435 parcels from Greenwood Township to Goodwill Township after county staff acknowledged that some affected property owners did not receive notice of the hearing.
County Attorney Kimberly Maki said that the legal requirements of notifying town clerks and posting a 30-day notice were met, and that a decision on the petition could legally be made.
“So legally, we can be here today. We just made a mistake in our above and beyond notifications, and we apologize for that,” Maki said.
The petition, spearheaded by a group of Greenwood Township residents, sought to move parcels into adjacent Goodwill Township. The change would have implications for both townships and residents, including moving some current residents of Greenwood into the Cook Community Hospital District, with accompanying tax impact.
The petition is supported by Goodwill Township, although amid the controversy surrounding the petition, John Jordan, the chair of Goodwill Township, clarified that Goodwill did not seek control of the parcels.
“The registered voters residing in the affected area initiated the petition,” Jordan said. “We did not solicit these residents or properties.”
Paul Thompson, the chair of Greenwood Town Board, stood in strong opposition to the proposal.
“The Greenwood Township Board unanimously agrees this proposal needs to be stopped,” Thompson said. “The process may technically be legal, but it clearly does not include input from the majority of affected persons and taxpayers.”
Kirsten Reichel, who spearheaded the petition, said her rationale for moving the parcels could be summed up in two issues: health care and fire and EMS protection. Reichel explained that the Cook Fire Hall is closer to her house than Greenwood Town Hall and that firefighters and EMS personnel from Cook could respond more quickly. She added that arguments about boat response did not hold during the winter.
“The argument of the quicker response time to the lake properties by boat has been made by Greenwood. Perhaps so for about five months out of the year, but is dependent on ice in and ice out conditions,” Reichel said.
Reichel added that she wanted to contribute to the Cook Community Hospital District, which does not currently include Greenwood Township. As a result, Greenwood does not pay the hospital levy, whereas Goodwill Township does.
“We feel it is vital to contribute to and support the Cook Hospital through funding the Cook Hospital District, something that Greenwood has repeatedly declined to do,” Reichel said.
Tom Bakk, a former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives and resident of the area, spoke positively about the petition. He argued that public safety was the most important thing to consider, and that Cook could simply respond faster in the area.
“It’s faster for Cook to respond. So that’s really the crux of this is that public safety is the most important thing, and people should be able to incorporate into a township that they think the public safety is going to be best for life. Nothing is more important,” Bakk said.
Bakk added that he thought the Cook Hospital District carried a high burden in the area and that Greenwood could do their part and contribute to the district.
“All it takes is for the supervisors to say, ‘Yeah, we think the hospital is important, and we should pay something to support it.’ And that always fell on deaf ears on the board, and I feel very strongly about that,” Bakk said.
Despite Greenwood falling outside the Cook Community Hospital District’s taxing district, it is within its service area. Put succinctly by Steve Bradach, a member of the Greenwood Board who opposed the petition, “Cook’s going to come whether you’re in Greenwood or whether you’re in Goodwill.”
Those opposed to the petition argued that Greenwood already provides fire protection, that Cook would respond to emergencies based on existing mutual aid agreements, and that moving parcels would not necessarily change which department responds. They also pointed to the tax increase that annexed residents could face if they were required to pay into the Cook Hospital District.
Thompson argued that many affected taxpayers were largely unaware of the proposal when it was made.
“A small group of petitioners, representing a total of 20 of the roughly 450 parcels involved, was organized and left the majority of tax-paying owners in the dark,” Thompson said.
Thompson also drew attention to Greenwood’s recent levy increase and approval of the purchase of a new fire truck.
“Both townships have already established their levies for 2027. Greenwood’s levy includes purchase of a new fire truck for $835,000. How can we effectively manage fire and emergency services with a purchase of this magnitude with a petition signed by a minority or large group allowed to redraw township lines without discussion and planning? That’s simply irresponsible,” Thompson said.
To the frustration of some attending the public hearing, Brandon Larson, the tax manager of St. Louis County, spoke to attendees after the public comment period had ended about the tax implications of moving the parcels. Larson explained that Greenwood residents who were potentially moved into Goodwill Township could see an 11.76 percent increase in taxes. The increase would come primarily from the hospital district levy.
“The main reason for that is because Greenwood does not fall within the boundaries of the community hospital district that Goodwill does,” Larson said.
The difference in township levies also affects the potential tax impact. Goodwill lowered its levy this year from $350,000 to $235,000, while Greenwood increased its levy from $600,000 to $800,000.
Greenwood residents outside the transfer area would also see an approximate 1.5 percent increase resulting from the loss of tax base.
“None of this will affect taxes for taxes payable 2027, since those levies are already set. So, the earliest any effect in terms of taxes would occur would be for taxes paid in 2028,” Larson added.
The information Larson provided was welcomed by many in attendance who felt that the petition decision was being made with too little information and input. Attendees throughout the public comment period brought up unanswered questions related to the parcels.
“The concern I have though is property insurance going up because of our rating. If we’re in a township that relies on mutual aid without a dedicated fire department versus one that has a modern fire department, they’re working on building it up again, and it’s going to make a difference,” said Doug Miedtke.
“It just seems like it was kind of haphazardly done. You know, hey, we don’t like Greenwood. Let’s do this with no real information, and that’s no way to go,” said Brad Stitzell.
During public comment, multiple speakers asked the St. Louis County Board to table the decision until more information was provided and a more informed decision could be made.
“I think this should be tabled till the homework is done and provided to all the property taxpayers to make sure that we have information and can voice our honest opinions,” said Mark Swymeler.
The board decided to delay the decision, with existing testimony remaining on record. A hearing will take place Nov. 10 to approve or deny the petition.