June 24, 2025

The Lake of The Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, June 24,2025 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 Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following changes: Add: Lost Warrant, JD 28 Petition Update.

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 June 10, 2025.

SOCIAL SERVICES

Claims

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the following claims: Commissioners Warrants $1,624.59; Commissioners Warrants $3,958.39; Commissioners Warrants $46,845.01.

Donation Acceptance

Resolution

DONATION TO LAKE OF THE WOODS COUNTY

Pursuant MN Stat. § 465.03

Resolution No. 25-06-02

The following resolution was offered by Commissioner Joe Grund and moved for adoption:

WHEREAS, Lake of the Woods County Commissioners pursuant MN Stat. § 465.03 (gifts to counties) hereby accepts a donation from the family of Elmerna Buegler for the Lake of the Woods County Social Services Department in the amount of $150.00.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that in accordance with the terms set forth by the family of Elmerna Buegler, the donors, the funds will be used to support Social Services.

The resolution was seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.

Auditor/Treasurer

Claims

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the claims against the County as follows: Revenue $24,659.69; Road & Bridge $23,526.29; County Development $600.00; Joint Ditch $1,843.00; Solid Waste $45,149.10; EDA $1,867.86.

WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION

Warrants Approved On 6/24/2025 For Payment 6/27/202

Vendor Name Amount

Baudette/City Of 6,000.00

Counties Providing Technology          4,452.00

Interstate Billing Service Inc                2,963.55

JMD Manufacturing Inc 3,839.69

Just For Kix 2,587.50

Liberty Tire Recycling, LLC    4,627.90

LOW Highway Dept 7,350.00

Mar-Kit Landfill 14,760.00

Marco Technologies LLC 3,072.00

North East Technical Service,Inc 16,448.30

True North Equipment Co 4,756.51

Verus LLC 3,644.00

26 Payments less than 2000 23,144.49

Final Total: 97,645.94

Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants: June 6, 2025 for $500,452.31, June 11, 2025 for $55,863.21; June 18, 2025 for $40,953.36.

Set Land Sale Date 2023 & Prior Forfeitures

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to set the land sale date for September 12, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. for properties that forfeited in 2023 and prior. 

NWA Community Greenhouse

Appoint Committee Members

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to appoint the following members to the NWA Community Greenhouse Committee: Ed Arnesen, Joe Grund, Anthony Pirkl, Paul Colson, and Joe Laurin.

Set Work Session

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to set a work session for the NWA Community Greenhouse on July 8, 2025 following the regular board meeting.

Affidavit of Lost Warrant 

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the affidavit of lost warrant number 42171 in the amount of $55.71.

Human Resources

Set Special Meeting

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to post for interviews on June 30, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. and to set a special meeting for the IT Department on June 30, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.

Permission to Adjust Grades for IT Positions Tier I and II

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to adjust the grades for IT positions Tier I and II to Grade 12 and Grade 15.

Sheriff

Updates

Sheriff Gary Fish gave an update on the emergency services incident that took place at the Northwest Angle. Sheriff Fish informed the board that he did reach out to the director in Roseau and was assured that this is not the normal response for their protocol and the incident was a miscommunication with dispatch. There was further discussion about the possibility of communication devices for the Northwest Angle and helicopter services. Mr. Fish also gave an update on buoy placement on Lake of the Woods. No action was taken at this time.

Public Works

Ditch Authority

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to close the regular meeting and open the ditch authority meeting.

JD 28 Petition Update

County Engineer Anthony Pirkl gave an update on the JD 28 petition and requested permission to move forward with this project.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to close the ditch authority meeting and open the regular meeting.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously with Commissioner Jon Waibel abstaining to approve the request to bid for the JD 28 project after a permit has been obtained.

Updates

County Engineer Anthony Pirkl gave an update on various Highway and Solid Waste projects. He also informed the board that the public works department is assisting Beltrami County with clean up after the storm and the billing process. It was the consensus of the board to bill Beltrami County only if they are reimbursed for the work by FEMA or the State.

Land & Water

Wetland Discussion

Land & Water Director Josh Stromlund met with the board to discuss the public drainage system wetland project and requested permission to reach out to John Kolb from Rinke Noonan to draft a letter to the DNR regarding the project.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the request to have John Kolb draft a letter to the DNR regarding the public drainage system wetlands project.

Recognition of Years of Service-IT Director

Resolution

The following resolution was offered by Commissioner Jon Waibel and moved for adoption:

RECOGNITION OF YEARS OF SERVICE

Peder Hovland

Resolution No. 2025-06-03

WHEREAS, Peder Hovland has served the residents of Lake of the Woods County since June 13, 2005 as Lake of the Woods County IT Director;

WHEREAS, Peder Hovland has resigned from Lake of the Woods County Service effective June 27,2025 with 20 years of service;

NOW THEREFOR, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners extends its deepest appreciation to Peder Hovland for his dedicated service and best wishes to him;

The resolution was seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and the same being put to a vote was unanimously carried. 

Adjourn

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 10:06 a.m.

Attest: July 8, 2025

________________________________             _________________________________Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson Chair Jon Waibel