July 22, 2025

The Lake of The Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, July 22,2025 at Lake of the Woods County Government Center in the Commissioners’ Room.

CALL TO ORDER

Chair Jon Waibel called the meeting to order at 9:00a.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited with the following members present: Commissioners: Cody Hasbargen, Joe Grund, Jon Waibel, Ed Arnesen, and Buck Nordlof. Also present was County Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following changes: Add: HCSP Contribution.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the official minutes of July 8, 2025.

SOCIAL SERVICES

Claims

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the following claims: Commissioners Warrants $11,265.20; Commissioners Warrants $1,865.11; Commissioners Warrants $28,062.15.

Human Resources

Permission to Advertise, Interview, & Hire-Social Worker

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the request to advertise, interview, & hire a Social Worker at Grade 15, Step 1, $30.27 per hour at 332 points.

Permission to Advertise, Interview, & Hire-Eligibility Worker

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the request to advertise, interview, & hire a Eligibility Worker at Grade 11, Step 1, $24.89 per hour at 262 points.

HCSP Contribution 

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the request to allow a HCSP contribution for Joanna Onstad.

Department of Natural Resources

Ditch Modifications at Winter Road Lake Peatland Scientific & Natural Area (SNA)

Meredith Cornett and Torin McCormack provided a presentation on the design for ditch modifications at winter road lake peatland scientific and natural area. It was the consensus of the board to continue with the design project.

Public Works

Updates

County Engineer Anthony Pirkl gave an update on various projects and discussed the ongoing clean up and restoration of the landfill building that was lost in a fire.

Set Public Hearing

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to set a public hearing for August 12, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. for an ordinance violation.

Auditor/Treasurer

Claims

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the claims against the County as follows: Revenue $128,716.02; Road & Bridge $244,383.50; Road & Bridge $1,384.22; County Development $300.00; Joint Ditch $6,314.70; Solid Waste $60,123.47; EDA $1,413.56.

WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION

Warrants Approved On 7/22/2025 For Payment 7/25/2025

Vendor Name Amount

Clay County Sheriff 3,736.74 

Co-Op Services, Inc. 5,328.88 

Counties Providing Technology 4,452.00 

Extreme Duty Ironworks 6,248.00 

Gamache/Micheal D 3,000.00 

Integris LLC 2,023.71 

KC TECH LLC               2,925.00 

Knife River Corporation                   203,819.49 

Lake of the Woods Electric LLC                15,240.25 

Larkin Hoffman Attorneys                        10,570.00 

Larson Helicopters,LLC 8,636.25 

LOW Highway Dept             18,267.50 

LOW Marine, Inc             57,753.00 

Mar-Kit Landfill                       14,380.50 

Mn Counties Computer Co-Op 2,214.26 

Mn State Dept-Correction             19,578.99 

Northdale Oil Inc.             16,025.94 

NOVA Fire Protection, Inc 2,695.00 

Rainy Lake Oil, Inc 2,595.00 

Titan Machinery – Roseau 5,436.13 

60  Payments less than 2000                    37,708.80

Final Total: 442,635.47

Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants: July 9, 2025 for $62,339.80; July 14, 2025 for $925,841.66; July 16, 2025 for $24,021.78; July 18, 2025 for $17,000.00.

Fraternal Order of Police NW MN #8

Resolution

The following resolution was offered by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously:

RESOLUTION APPROVING 

LAWFUL GAMBLING ACTIVITY APPLICATION 

TO CONDUCT OFF-SITE GAMBLING

RESOLUTION NO. 25-07-01

WHEREAS; the Fraternal Order of Police NW MN #8 has submitted a Minnesota Lawful Gambling LG220 Application for Exempt Permit Gambling to be conducted at the following establishment, which is located in Lake of the Woods County: Sportsman’s Lodge 2/23/2026

Sportsman’s Lodge 3244 Bur Oak Rd NW Baudette, MN 56623

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners hereby approves said application for submission to the Minnesota Gambling Control Board.

Sheriff

NG911 Update

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to use a vendor to upload information for the NG911 state project using information provided by GIS.

Koochiching Jail Update

Koochiching County District 4 Commissioner Jason Sjoblom met with the board to provide an update on the progress of their new jail building. Mr. Sjoblom also provided a document with images of the new jail.

Legislative Updates

Senator Steve Green and Representative Bidal Duran met with the board to answer questions and gave an update that included: Williams School, Jail Bonding, DOC processes, and appropriations.

Add to Agenda

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to add Wikstrom Letter of Support to the agenda.

Wikstrom Letter of Support-BEAD Grant

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve a letter of support for a BEAD Grant that would provide fiber services to the area.

Adjourn

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 11:50 a.m.

Attest: August 12, 2025

________________________________             _________________________________

Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson Chair Jon Waibel