Lake of the Woods County Board Commissioners Meeting Proceedings

                                                               March 24, 2026

pursuant to MN. Statute 331A.01, subd. 10 
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

The Lake of The Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, March 24,2026 at Lake of the Woods County Government Center in the Commissioners’ Room.

 CALL TO ORDER

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

 APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following changes: Add: CVSO Office.

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the official minutes of March 10, 2026.

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the following claims: Commissioners Warrants $78,352.64; Commissioners Warrants $1,744.20; Commissioners Warrants $5,046.48.

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the claims against the County as follows: Revenue $19,927.90; Road & Bridge $17,312.20; County Development $200.00; Solid Waste $1,172.45; EDA $1,302.17.

Vendor Name                                          Amount 

Avenu Insights & Analytics                     8,212.07 

Counties Providing Technology             4,583.00 

Integris LLC                                           2,240.07

Rainy Lake Oil, Inc                                 2,399.70

39 Payments less than 2000                   22,479.88 

Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants: March 11, 2026 for $5,794.95; March 13, 2026 for $488,208.09; March 18, 2026 for $52,531.09.

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the request for a letter of support to Representative Duran, and Senator Steve Green regarding funding for Westwood Housing and for Chair Joe Grund to sign the same.

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the affidavit of lost warrant number 104551.

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the request to advertise, interview, and hire summer help for the highway department.

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the renewal of contract between the City of Baudette and Lake of the Woods County for road maintenance services effective 1/1/2026-12/31/2027.

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the salary for County Sheriff Gary Fish in the amount of $125,000.00 retroactive to January 1, 2026 with the removal of Stonegarden for the Sheriff.

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to rent office space at 212 Main Ave N. for the County Veteran’s Services Officer Rick Rone.

Mike Hirst reviewed the 2025 Feedlot Annual Report and gave a brief update.

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the 2025 LOTW County Feedlot Report and for Chair Joe Grund to sign the same.

DNR Fisheries Supervisor Matt Skoog gave an update about the sturgeon and walleye population and discussed the various fish trends and the process for repopulation.

DNR Wildlife Supervisor Charlie Tucker gave an update on various wildlife management projects and answered questions from board members regarding wildlife population.

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 10:25 a.m.

Attest:                                                                         April 14, 2026

________________________________                    _________________________________

Deputy Auditor/Treasurer Anna Sanchez                  Chair Joe Grund