COMMISSIONER PROCEEDINGS

June 18, 2024

The Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at the Angle Outpost Resort, Angle Inlet, MN. 

Call To Order

Chair Cody Hasbargen called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited with the following members present: Commissioners: Cody Hasbargen, Joe Grund, Jon Waibel, and Ed Arnesen. Also present was County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson. Absent was: Commissioner Buck Nordlof.

Approval of Agenda

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following changes: Add: Road Culvert, Community Greenhouse.

PUBLIC HEARING- RECONVENE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION

Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to close the regular meeting and re-open the 2024 Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting at 10:05 a.m. at the Northwest Angle with the following members present:  Commissioners:  Joe Grund, Cody Hasbargen, Ed Arnesen, Jon Waibel and County Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson. Absent was Commissioner Buck Nordlof.  It was noted that County Recorder Sue Ney swore in the members of the Lake of the Woods County Board of Appeal and Equalization for 2024 at the meeting on June 11, 2024. 

County Board Chair Cody Hasbargen explained the purpose of the Board of Appeal and Equalization. He reminded the public that this meeting was only to hear appeals of the estimated market value (EMV) or classification, not for taxes or prior years’ assessments.  He explained that all appeals would be heard before any action would be taken.  He also explained that the valuation period the Assessor’s Office use is from sales during October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023.

Action

After hearing all the appeals, questions, comments and research reviewed, the following actions were taken:

Motion 

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to accept the Lake of the Woods County Assessor’s recommendations on the following properties and to adjust values per the attached recommendations from the County Assessor: Ronald Borgan (P#23-14-11-000), Mark Judovsky (P#23-56-01-010), J & L Hennum Inc A MN Corp (P#19.71.02.090), J & L Hennum Inc A MN Corp (P#19.71.02.010), K & D Resorts Inc (P#19.52.03.000), K & D Resorts Inc (P#19.52.03.000), Michael D Anderson (P#23.29.33.000), Michael D Anderson (P#23.32.12.000), Michael D Anderson (P#23.32.32.000), Michael D Anderson (P#23.29.33.000).

Motion 

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to decrease the value on the following property: David D Fadness property owner Wheeler Township, Parcel ID 19.23.12.010, decrease in total value from $20,900.00 to $6,900.00 due to the land value being too high.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to decrease the value on the following property: Adelyne Vertheen Living Trust property owner Wheeler Township, Parcel ID 19.23.12.020, decrease in total value from $20,300.00 to $6,900.00 due to the land value being too high.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to decrease the value on the following property: Quinten K Fadness Family Trust property owner Wheeler Township, Parcel ID 19.23.12.030, decrease in total value from $18,300.00 to $6,900.00 due to the land value being too high.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to decrease the value on the following property: Jon Hams property owner Wheeler Township, Parcel ID 19.23.12.040, decrease in total value from $20,400.00 to $6,900.00 due to the land value being too high.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to decrease the value on the following property: Calvin Fadness property owner Wheeler Township, Parcel ID 19.23.12.050, decrease in total value from $19,900.00 to $6,900.00 due to the land value being too high.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to decrease the value on the following property: Clark Dickerson property owner Wheeler Township, Parcel ID 19.23.12.060, decrease in total value from $20,100.00 to $6,900.00 due to the land value being too high.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to decrease the value on the following property: Duane Fadness property owner Wheeler Township, Parcel ID 19.23.12.070, decrease in total value from $20,000.00 to $6,900.00 due to the land value being too high.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to decrease the value on the following property: Lowell Todd Fadness property owner Wheeler Township, Parcel ID 19.23.12.080, decrease in total value from $19,500.00 to $6,900.00 due to the land value being too high.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to decrease the value on the following property: Quinten K Fadness Family Trust property owner Wheeler Township, Parcel ID 19.23.11.000, decrease in total value from $111,300.00 to $45,000.00 due to the land value being too high.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to decrease the value on the following property: Quinten K Fadness Family Trust property owner Wheeler Township, Parcel ID 19.24.22.000, decrease in total value from $136,700.00 to $102,000.00 due to the land value being too high.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to decrease the value on the following property: Frohreich Family Living Trust property owner Wheeler Township, Parcel ID 19.17.23.010, decrease in total value from $118,100.00 to $104,600.00 due to the land value being too high.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to decrease the value on the following property: Raymond & Amy Friesner property owner Myhre Township, Parcel ID 21.05.32.010, decrease in total value from $43,300.00 to $31,700.00 due to the building value being too high.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to close the public hearing for Board of Equalization and open the regular meeting.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Commissioner Ed Arnesen gave an update on bonding for the Law Enforcement Center, the Williams school, and safeboats.

Township Discussion

County Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson informed the board that there were questions regarding making an unorganized township organized and gave an overview of the steps and responsibilities that would be placed on a township if they chose to do so. There was further discussion around the needs of the Northwest Angle Township.

Public Works

County Engineer Anthony Pirkl gave an update on various Highway/Solid Waste projects. There was also discussion regarding options for a community greenhouse, roads, and culverts.

Joe Laurin

Park Update

Joe Laurin and County Engineer Anthony Pirkl gave a presentation on the Northerly Park project and various ideas moving forward.

NWA Edgriders Trail (BLM Lands)

Joe Laurin gave an update on the Northwest Angle Edgeriders trail project and informed the board that they did receive permission from BLM to pass through their land. 

Life Flight Discussion

The board discussed Guardian Life Flight and other options that may be available. There was also discussion regarding emergency response options for the Northwest Angle.

Adjourn

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously by roll call to adjourn the meeting at 12:35 p.m. to be followed by the road tour.

Attest: July 9, 2024

______________________________ _________________________________

County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson Chair Cody Hasbargen