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Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners Proceedings
October 14, 2025
the published material is only a summary and the full text is available for public inspection
at the lake of the woods county auditor/treasurers’ office
or by standard mail or electronic mail or lake of the woods county
website -www.lake-of-the-woods.mn.us
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, and Jon Waibel. Also present was County Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson. Absent: Commissioner Buck Nordlof
APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following changes: Add: Temporary Part-time Office Assistant-Attorney’s Office, Credit Card Bank Change Approval, 2024 Stonegarden Grant, Permission to Hire, Health Insurance Caps, Tobin Fisheries.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the official minutes of September 23,2025.
Hoffman, Philipp, & Martell, PLLC Audit Exit Review Colleen Hoffman, Marit Martell, and Crystal Philipp from Hoffman, Philipp, & Martell, PLLC provided an audit exit review to the County Board of Commissioners.
SOCIAL SERVICES Claims Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously approve the following claims: Commissioners Warrants $12,340.99; Commissioners Warrants $3,288.89; Commissioners Warrants $28,546.24.
Superintendent Scott Fitzsimonds Introduction & Updates Superintendent Scott Fitzmonds introduced himself to the board and gave an update on activities at the school and the upcoming referendum on November 4, 2025.
Veterans Services Officer Veterans Services Officer Rick Rone gave an annual update to the board regarding veterans services in the area.
BE IT RESOLVED, that pursuant to Minnesota Stat. Sec. 161.36, the Commissioner of Transportation be appointed as Agent of Lake of the Woods County to accept as its agent, federal aid funds which may be made available for eligible transportation related projects. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Lake of the Woods County Board Chairman and the County Auditor-Treasurer are hereby authorized and directed for and on behalf of Lake of the Woods County to execute and enter into an agreement with the Commissioner of Transportation prescribing the terms and conditions of said federal aid participation as set forth and contained in “Minnesota Department of Transportation MnDOT Contract Number 1059814“, a copy of which said agreement was before the Lake of the Woods County Board and which is made a part hereof by reference.
Resolution The following Resolution was offered by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the following:
WHEREAS, Lake of the Woods County has applied for a grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), under its FY2026 Greater MN Recycling and Composting Grant Program and; WHEREAS, if MPCA funding is received, Lake of the Woods County is committed to implementing the proposed project as described in the grant application and; WHEREAS, MPCA requires that Lake of the Woods County enter into a grant agreement with the MPCA that identifies the terms and conditions of the funding award; BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the Lake of the Woods County Board hereby agrees to enter into and sign a grant agreement with the MPCA to carry out the project specified therein and to comply with all of the terms, conditions, and matching provisions of the grant agreement and authorizes and directs Lake of the Woods County Board Chair to sign the grant agreement on its behalf.
WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION
Lost Warrant Affidavit Motion was made Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the affidavit of lost warrant number 103472 in the amount of $514.50.
HCSP Renewal Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to renew the HCSP contract as presented by County Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson effective January 1, 2026.
Credit Card Bank Change Approval Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the request to change county credit cards from Wells Fargo Bank to Border Bank.
Permission to Hire-Deputy Auditor-Treasurer Fiscal Officer Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the request to hire Julie Berggren as Deputy Auditor-Treasurer-Fiscal Officer at Grade 15, Step 5, $32.72 per hour at 336 points effective October 13, 2025.
Tobin Fisheries Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to extend the offer for Tobin Fisheries for 30 days and for County Engineer Anthony Pirkl and County Attorney Michelle Moren to draft a letter for the offer.
Temporary Part-time Office Assistant-Attorney’s Office Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to hire Diane Rosen as Temporary Part-time Office Assistant for the Attorney’s office at $33.43 per hour plus IRS mileage rate effective October 24, 2025.
Land & Water Consideration of Interim Use Permit #25-08IU by William Jackson and Stephanie Stavig Lot 5, Block 3 and Lot 8, Block 2, River Oaks Plat, Section One (1), Township One Hundred Sixty-one (161) North, Range Thirty-two (32) West (Wabanica)- Parcel ID#23.52.03.050 and 23.52.02.080. Applicant is requesting an Interim Use Permit as required by Section 1106 of the Lake of the Woods County Zoning Ordinance to operate a short-term vacation rental in a Residential Zoning District (R1).
Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the following IUP/Findings of Fact #25-08IU by William Jackson & Stephanie Stavig to operate a short-term vacation rental in a Residential Zoning District (R1) with the following conditions:
- The interim use permit terminates five (5) years from the date of approval or upon sale or transfer of the property, whichever occurs first.
- The maximum occupancy is limited to six (6) individuals.
- The established quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
- A valid Certificate of Compliance for the septic system is required.
- No on-street parking is allowed.
- If applicable, the applicant must meet the Minnesota Department of Health requirements.
Sheriff Set Work Session Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to set a work session for Law Enforcement for October 28, 2025 following the regular board meeting.
Bank Signature Card Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the request to remove Julie Berggren from account number ending in 6468 and add County Sheriff Gary Fish to the account at National Bank of Commerce.
Approval to Adjust Huber Fees Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the request to adjust huber fees from $15.00 to $25.00 effective immediately.
Permission to Sell Vehicles and Equipment by Sealed Bid Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the request to sell 3 squads, 3 boat motors, and a generator by sealed bid from the Sheriffs Department.
2024 Stonegarden Grant Approval Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the 2024 Stonegarden grant in the amount of $108,900.00.
Adjourn Motion was made by Commissioner, seconded by Commissioner and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 11:00 a.m.
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