LAKE ST. CROIX BEACH
TRANSPARENCY PROJECT

Lake St. Croix Beach officials reported a $178,197 property tax shortfall spanning three years due to incorrect levy reporting. The discrepancy went uncorrected from 2023 through 2025 before being disclosed to residents. The situation has raised questions about oversight, internal controls, and the timing of disclosure. Overview According to reporting by the Pioneer Press, Lake St. Croix Beach experienced a property tax shortfall totaling $178,197 over a three-year period due

A public records request has been submitted to the City of Lake St. Croix Beach seeking records related to how public data requests are received, tracked, and handled. The request includes internal policies, records of past requests, and communications related to data request processing. As of this writing, no acknowledgment of the request has been received. In March 2026, a public records request was submitted to better understand how requests are received, processed, and fu

A Lake St. Croix Beach resident has raised concerns about a construction project that may not have followed required city procedures, along with a public records request that has gone unanswered for more than four months. The concerns were shared with Washington County officials after repeated attempts to obtain information locally. Overview A resident of Lake St. Croix Beach has raised multiple concerns related to local government processes, including ordinance compliance, p

In October 2025, the City of Lake St. Croix Beach voted to terminate City Clerk-Administrator Dave Engstrom after approximately eight years in the role. The decision followed a performance improvement plan and a public discussion during a city council meeting. According to reporting by the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Engstrom indicated he intended to pursue legal action against the city, including claims related to age discrimination. Overview Dave Engstrom served as the City Cle

The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minn. Stat. Chapter 13) governs how public data is created, maintained, and made accessible by government entities. In simple terms, it defines your right to access information held by state and local government — including cities, counties, and public agencies. This law establishes that most government data is public and must be made available It also outlines how requests must be handled, how quickly responses must be provided, a

In 2025, a proposal to install a telecommunications tower near a local ballfield in Lake St. Croix Beach prompted significant concern from residents. The project, which involved a tower of substantial height near a recreational area used by families, raised questions about how the proposal was introduced and communicated to the public. Following community response and public discussion, the proposal did not proceed as initially presented. What We’re Watching: Public Records R