November 25, 2025

The Lake of The Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, November 25,2025 at Lake of the Woods County Government Center in the Commissioners’ Room.

CALL TO ORDER

Vice-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: Cody Hasbargen, Joe Grund, and Buck Nordlof. Also present was Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson. Absent were Commissioners: Ed Arnesen, and Jon Waibel.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following changes: Add: Meal Reimbursement Rate, PFML, Mineral Interest Donation. Remove: Wetlands Resolution, Veterans Survey Review.

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 November 12,2025.

SOCIAL SERVICES

Claims

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the following claims: Commissioners Warrants $5566.05; Commissioners Warrants $1,513.46; Commissioners Warrants $17,708.09.

Child Care Assistance Biennial Plan

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the Child Care Assistance Biennial Plan as presented by Social Services Director Amy Ballard.

Region 2 Adult Mental Health Joint Powers Agreement

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the Region 2 Adult Mental Health Joint Powers Agreement and for Chair Jon Waibel to sign the same.

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 $112,106.07; Road & Bridge $38,453.58; Natl Resc Enhanc $225.00; Solid Waste $27,596.06; EDA $1,393.89.

WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION

Warrants Approved On 11/25/2025 For Payment 11/26/2025

Vendor Name                 Amount

Allstate Peterbilt 2,143.25
American Engineering Testing, Inc. 6,250.25
Clay County Sheriff 3,201.32
Commissioner Of Transportation               20,860.81
Forum Communications Printing 2,438.65
Integris LLC 2,240.07 
John Deere Financial                 8,123.78
Koochiching County Environmental Service                 2,790.00
Larkin Hoffman Attorneys               27,167.50
M-R Sign Co, Inc 3,231.69
Mn State Dept-Correction               20,449.22
Motorola Solutions, Inc                             13,715.00
North East Technical Service, Inc   6,829.00
Olson Construction Bdt LLC               20,000.00
U.S. Bank Equipment Finance                 6,268.50
52 Payments less than 2000 34,065.56 

Final Total 179,774.60 

Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants: November 12, 2025 for $54,020.69; November 19,2025 for $46,759.15.

Retirement Recognition

Resolution

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

RECOGNITION OF YEARS OF SERVICE

DEPUTY AUDITOR/TREASURER FISCAL OFFICER

RESOLUTION 2025-11-01

Whereas: Rita Hasbargen has served the residents of Lake of the Woods County since September 14, 2015 as Lake of the Woods County Deputy Auditor/Treasurer Fiscal Officer;

Whereas: Rita Hasbargen has resigned from Lake of the Woods County service effective November 30,2025 with 10 years of service;

Now Therefore, Be it Resolved: That Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners extends its best wishes and deepest appreciation to Rita Hasbargen for her dedicated service;

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

Rinke Noonan 2026 Rates Approval

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the 2026 rates for Rinke Noonan as presented by Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson.

Grant-in-Aid Trail Permit Approval

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to authorize Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson to sign the Grant-in-Aid Trail Permit for Northwest Angle State Trail System effective July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2034.

Public Health

Contract for Community Health

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the contract between Lake of the Woods County and LakeWood Health Center effective January 1, 2026 and for Chair Jon Waibel to sign the same.

Opioid Advisory Council

Update

Community Health Supervisor Kay Schell gave an update on opioid funds, safe room progress, and prevention coalition support.

Public Works

Updates

County Engineer Anthony Pirkl gave an update on various Highway and Solid Waste projects.

SP 039-598-071

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the final payment of SP 039-598-071 for Korby Contracting Co. Inc. of Fergus Falls, MN in the total amount of $609,026.69 and hereby authorize final payment of $31,448.83.

Tobin Fisheries

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to extend the decision for Tobin Fisheries to the next board meeting on December 16, 2025.

Human Resources

Meal Reimbursement Rate

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to increase the meal reimbursement rate from $40.00 to $60.00 effective January 1, 2026.

PFML

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to allow the use of accrued vacation, sick, and comp time as supplemental benefits during PFML to allow employees the option to receive up to, but not exceed a full salary during their leave.

Recess

A brief recess took place at 9:50 a.m. and reconvened at 10:00 a.m.

Public Hearing

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to close the regular meeting and open the public hearing.

Public Hearing-Compliance Violation #24-02IU

Land & Water Director Josh Stromlund reviewed septic violations in accordance with Interim Use Permit #24-02IU.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to close the public hearing and open the regular meeting.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to require the current septic system be brought into compliance by July 31, 2026. If said septic system is not brought into compliance, Interim Use Permit #24-02IU is hereby terminated.

Resource Conservationist Mike Hirst

Lake of the Woods County Feedlot Delegation Agreement Workplan MPCA

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the LOTW County Feedlot Delegation Agreement Workplan as presented by Resource Conservationist Mike Hirst.

Updated 2026-2030 Lake of the Woods Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the updated 2026-2030 LOTW Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan as presented by Resource Conservationist Mike Hirst.

Updates

Resource Conservationist Mike Hirst reviewed LOTW and Rainy-Rapid Watershed accomplishments.

Mineral Interest Donation Acceptance

Resolution

The following resolution was offered by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and moved for adoption:

A Resolution to Accept

Mineral Interest Donation

Resolution 25-11-02

WHEREAS, The Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners has received a Mineral Interest Donation from John J. & Margaret S. Gunderson;

WHEREAS, Mineral Interest to be acquired are described as follows: 

Section 33, Township 159, Range 32. Mineral Interest Property ID: 36-3300-000

THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, The Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners hereby accepts the generous donation of the above described Mineral Interest from John J. & Margaret S. Gunderson

Seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.

Adjourn

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 10:50 a.m.

Attest: December 16, 2025

Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson
Chair Jon Waibel