Tax Referendums & Your Property Values: Meet 8 West Metro Mayors This April

With Hennepin County finalizing a 7.79% levy increase, rising property taxes, upcoming local sales tax referendums, and Wayzata Public Schools heading to a critical vote on April 14, the "wallet issues" facing our region have never been more pressing.

On April 29, as part of The Northern Lake Minnetonka Mayors Forum organized by the League of Women Voters Lake Minnetonka Plymouth Area, mayors of eight neighboring cities are gathering in Plymouth to step beyond social media and engage directly with the community.

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The Details

When: Wednesday, April 29, 2026 | 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: Plymouth City Council Chambers (3400 Plymouth Blvd)
Expect to hear from the Mayors of: Plymouth, Wayzata, Orono, Medina, Corcoran, Minnetrista, Mound, and Long Lake.

Why This Matters: The Referendum and Your Taxes

This forum arrives just two weeks after the April 14 Wayzata Public Schools Referendum. Whether that $496 million package passes or fails, the Mayors in attendance will be the ones managing the resulting infrastructure and tax implications for their respective cities. This is your opportunity to hear how these eight leaders are coordinating on:

Taxes & Fiscal Responsibility: How are cities adjusting local levies to offset the cumulative impact of school bonds and county increases?
Infrastructure Realities: With major projects like the Station 73 TRIP and regional "Detour Season" resuming, how is the West Metro planning for growth?
Future Planning: As Medina prepares for new schools and Maple Grove approves new luxury housing, what is the long-term vision for our area’s property values?
Public Safety: How are local departments collaborating on regional safety trends?

Moving Beyond the "Bite-Sized" Discussion

We’ve all seen the heated threads on Nextdoor and Facebook. While these platforms are great for quick updates, they often lack the "neutral ground" necessary for productive civic dialogue.

While social media offers a place for "bite-sized" venting, it rarely provides the nuance or direct accountability required for these complex local issues.

The League of Women Voters (LWV) provides a disciplined, non-partisan format that ensures your voice is heard without the noise, and the focus stays on policy, not politics.

Timed Responses: Each leader gets a set amount of time to answer, ensuring no one city dominates.
Direct Access: Use provided note cards to submit your specific questions directly to the mayors. Note cards are typically provided at the door for "day-of" questions to be vetted and asked by a neutral moderator.
Neutral Moderation: A trained moderator ensures the conversation stays focused on policy and facts, not political soundbites.
Regional Insight: Learn how decisions in Orono or Medina directly impact your life in Plymouth or Wayzata.

Can’t make it in person?

Stay tuned to PlymouthMN.com. We are following the April 14 referendum results and the April 29 Mayors Forum closely to bring you the "Plain English" takeaways that matter most to your household budget.