Community building second pickleball court at park

Contributed photo
Curtis Aho raises his right hand as he takes the oath of office during a brief swearing in ceremony at the Wolf Lake City Council’s Aug. 12, monthly meeting at city hall. Aho has been appointed to the seat formerly held by Cassy Makela who, due to moving outside of city limits, had to step down.

By Matthew Johnson

Reporter

The Wolf Lake City Council unanimously approved the preliminary property tax levy of $27,013 during its Tuesday, Sept. 9, regular monthly meeting, which is nearly a seven percent increase over the 2024 final levy.

The overall proposed increase is $1,750. The proposed general portion of the levy is $17,000, which is a $2,000 increase, or about a 13 percent increase, over last year.

The council decided to lower the dumpster fund portion of the levy from $4,250 to $4,000, to keep the road fund the same at $4,500 and the fire fund the same, as well, at $1,513. The council can lower, but not raise, the levy for the final 2025, payable 2026, levy, or keep it the same as the preliminary levy of $27,013.

In other news

• Discussed support for building a second pickleball court at the Wolf Lake Waterfront Park and Campground, which is bolstered by a $4,000 donation from Wolf Lake Wolf Pack Baseball. The current pickleball court has been busy as other players who come to use it have to wait their turn. “That’s a big thing now,” said Councilor Vernette Gilbertson concerning the game of pickleball.

• Received a Wolf Lake Community Hall Committee report from Councilor Katie Lake. She said the committee is making progress in terms of setting up a bank account for the community hall and are looking at adjusting the rental rates at the hall.

• Passed a motion to continue with roof improvements to the liquor store including ceiling tiles and insulation.

• Passed a motion to approve a gambling permit for the Wolf Lake Shooting Club for its annual raffle on Sunday, Nov. 16. Raffle tickets are sold at the Lakes Community Cooperative in Wolf Lake and by individual club members.

• Regular monthly meetings of the Wolf Lake City Council are usually held at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at city hall.