WHAT DULUTH STANDS TO GAIN
If the southern third of Rice Lake Township is integrated with Duluth, the city can expect to get:
About 2,000 to 2,500 new residents
About 10 square miles of land
Property taxes from 1,623 parcels, totaling an estimated $500,000 a year
An estimated additional $115,000 a year in state Local Government Aid, based on the increased population
A solution to the ongoing debate over whether to consolidate Duluth's Woodland and UMD fire halls, which would be a pricey proposition; both could stay open, as the Woodland station would be needed to serve what's now southern Rice Lake Township
Development opportunity, including along Rice Lake Road
An undetermined boost in state and federal assistance for road maintenance, based on miles WHAT ANNEXED RICE LAKE RESIDENTS STAND TO GAIN
Increased opportunity for city water and sewer; currently 317 residential customers and 33 commercial customers are connected to municipal water while 263 residential customers and 29 commercial customers are connected to municipal sewer
Better fire protection
Improved police protection: Duluth police typically respond in three to four minutes and city residents are served by canine officers, a tactical response team, dedicated traffic enforcement, crash reconstruction capabilities, special investigators and 15 to 20 officers on duty 24 hours a day
An estimated 30 percent reduction in homeowner insurance costs
Lower utility costs, saving property owners an estimated $49.62 per month
Reduced property tax rates, saving the owner of a $100,000 home $71 annually and the owner of a $250,000 home $179 WHAT THE REMAINING TOWNSHIP STANDS TO GAIN
Annexation assistance
No longer having to pay for utilities and utility hookups they aren't receiving
An entirely rural township
