Lake of the Woods County Board Commissioners Meeting Proceedings

                                                                September 23, 2025

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, Ed Arnesen, Buck Nordlof and Jon Waibel. Also present was County Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson. 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following changes: Add: Auditor’s Office.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the official minutes of September 23, 2025.

SOCIAL SERVICES Claims Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously approve the following claims: Commissioners Warrants $7,716.84; Commissioners Warrants $2,826.34; Commissioners Warrants $30,690.57.

Auditor/Treasurer Claims 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 $49,712.76; Road & Bridge $8,697.32; County Development $75.00; Natl Resc Enhanc $21.73; Joint Ditch $280.00; Solid Waste $64,055.94; EDA $1,628.25.

 Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants: September 10, 2025 for $212,426.71; September 17, 2025 for $271,923.74; September 11, 2025 for $316,290.98; September 11, 2025 for $344,631.61; September 11, 2024 for ($625.00); September 11, 2025 for ($645.34).

Cancel Public Hearing Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to cancel the public hearing scheduled for October 14, 2025 for the liquor and tobacco license application as requested by Dale’s on Lake of the Woods.

Proposal for Audit Services Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the proposal from Hoffman, Philipp, & Martell, PLLC for audit services for the years 2025, 2026, and 2027 in the amount of $43,000.00 per year.

Updates County Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson gave an update that included: Koochiching County Meeting and Jail Tour on October 14th, 2025 following the regular board meeting, North Star Annual Meeting held at Lake of the Woods County High School, and Representatives meeting regarding bonding in Bemidji on September 23, 2025.

WHEREAS, the Proposed County Budget for the year 2026 has been reviewed by the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners; and  NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the following Proposed Budget and Tax Levy is hereby adopted for Lake of the Woods County for 2026:

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following amounts be levied against the unorganized townships of Lake of the Woods County for 2026:

* $526,470 for Township Road & Bridge, includes $5,000 Blue Blades and $12,765 Admin of Township Roads (508,705+5,000+12,765=526,470)  

   A public meeting to discuss the 2026 Proposed Budget and Tax Levy will be held on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Lake of the Woods County Commissioners’ Room. 

Gravel Contract Approval Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the gravel contract with Lavalla Sand & Gravel in the amount of $104,000.00.

Blue Blade Policy Approval Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, and carried unanimously to approve the amendments to the blue blade policy as recommended by County Engineer Anthony Pirkl, GIS Coordinator Eric Solo, and Land & Water Director Josh Stromlund.

Human Resources Flu Shot Approval Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the request for public health to use the court room to administer flu shots at 1:00 p.m. on September 23, 2025.

Fireworks Committee Tessa Strohl representing the Fireworks Committee came to the board to request a donation for the Fourth of July fireworks show.

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the request for donation in the amount of $5,000.00 out of ConCon funds.

Recess A brief recess took place at 9:45 a.m. and reconvened at 11:30 a.m.

Auditor-Treasurer Contract Extension Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to extend Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson’s retirement date to July 31, 2026 to assist with transitions in the Auditor-Treasurer’s office at $66.00 per hour effective next full pay period.

Adjourn Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 11:35 a.m.