Tuesday, December 23, 2025. Lake County Board of Commissioners’ regularly scheduled meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by Board Chairperson Rich Sve. Chairperson Sve led the recitation of the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. Unless otherwise stated, all actions have been approved by unanimous yea vote.
Lake County Board members present in the Lake County Service Center, Split Rock River Room (SRRR), 616 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, Minnesota: District 1 Commissioner Joe Baltich, District 2 Commissioner Derrick “Rick” L. Goutermont, District 3 Commissioner Richard “Rick” C. Hogenson, District 4 Commissioner Jeremy M. Hurd, and District 5 Commissioner Rich Sve. Board member absent: None. Also present in the SRRR: Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston, Interim Auditor / Treasurer Ronelle “Ronni” Radle, Lake County Land Commissioner Nate Eide, Assistant County Veterans Services Officer (ACVSO) Melissa Crandall, Lake County Information Technology (I.T.) Director Dan Lackore, and Clerk of the Board Laurel D. Buchanan.
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 01 – Approval of the agenda, as amended. Absent: None
Lake County Board Chairperson Rich Sve opened the floor for public comments. Tanya Bruzek provided an update on Operation Volunteers for Veterans. Kitty Mayo provided updates on several initiatives that are happening behind the scenes at Lake County Press, including at the community theater, North Shore Restorative Practices (a limited liability corporation (LLC)), Two Harbors Pride initiative and committee, and university initiatives. Kitty Mayo discussed Disaster Preparedness meetings with Lake County Emergency Management Director Warren LaPlante. Kitty Mayo also advised that the Lake County Press will be submitting a bid for legal newspaper for 2026.
Gordy Anderson and Keith Larson appeared before the Board of Commissioners to provide an update for the Lake County Veterans Memorial Association. They discussed adjusted costs and a new design that reduces the construction budget. The original plan design was over $1 million dollars. The revised design is projected to cost $500,000. They still need to raise about $200,000. The new look, with a new price tag, makes the revised plan attainable. They discussed goals for 2026. Assistant County Veterans Services Officer (ACVSO) Melissa Crandall spoke in support of their efforts.
Lake County Information Technology (I.T.) Director Dan Lackore provided an annual update on behalf of his department. He provided an overview of operations, completed projects, projects in the works, and upcoming projects for 2026. Director Lackore and County Commissioners expressed appreciation for the I.T. Department and all their support.
Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston provided an update on several items of county business. The Lake County Board of Commissioners cancelled its Strategic Planning Session, also known as a County Board Workshop, that was scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 30, 2025. That meeting has been cancelled.
Interim Auditor/Treasurer Ronni Radle advised that the new Minnesota paid leave updates have been made in the payroll system. Auditor Radle discussed a 2026 key card access project for polling place accessibility and grant funding that is supporting that project.
MOTION HURD, SECOND HOGENSON: 02 – Approve Consent Agenda as presented:
1. Approve Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting minutes of December 16, 2025.
2. Approve Official Proceedings of a Public Hearing held on December 16, 2025, to consider granting a property tax abatement under Minnesota Statutes, Sections 469.1812 through 469.1815 (the “Tax Abatement Act”). The proposed tax abatement would apply to a housing development project to be constructed by Vision Inc. on property located on five (5) acres in Two Harbors, on the Northwesterly portion of parcel 23-7600-36370 (the “Property”). The project is expected to consist of an approximately $17.4 million Class A 75-unit workforce apartment complex, to be called North Shore Flats. Under the proposal, the County would abate all or a portion of the County’s share of property taxes levied on the Property for up to fifteen (15) years, with a total estimated amount equal to $525,000. The purpose of the proposed abatement is to encourage the development of needed, affordable and workforce housing, promote economic development, and increase and preserve the tax base within the County.
3. Approve a one-day temporary onsale liquor permit for Finland Snowmobile & ATV Club for the date of February 14, 2026, at the Clair Nelson Community Center in Finland.
4. Adopt Proclamation in recognition of Human Trafficking Awareness Month January 2026; The Lake County Board of Commissioners hereby proclaims January 2026 as “Human and Sex Trafficking Awareness Month” and urges all citizens to educate themselves about the forms of modern slavery and the signs and consequences of human trafficking. Absent: None
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BALTICH: 03 – Approve the Lake County Paid Leave Policy. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HURD: 04 – Approve the revised Lake County Earned Sick and Safe Time Policy. Absent: None
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 05 – Approve the probationary appointment of Douglas Kremer to Deputy Sheriff at the 2025 Step 4 wage of $32.91 per hour effective December 29, 2025. Absent: None
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BALTICH: 06 – Approve the retirement of Sharon Hodge, Accounting Technician, effective January 2, 2026. Absent: None
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND HURD: 07 – Approve the recruitment for one full-time Accounting Technician. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HOGENSON: 08 – Approve the resignation of Meghan Ulanowski, Dispatcher/Jailer, effective January 9, 2026. Absent: None
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 09 – Approve the recruitment for one full-time Dispatcher/Jailer. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HURD: 10 – Set the Board of Commissioners 2026 salary at $30,900 with an additional $2,400 per year for the Board Chair. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND BALTICH: 11 – Set the Commissioners per diems at $105 in county and $120 out of county, effective January 1, 2026. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 12 – Adjourn Board meeting of the Lake County Board of Commissioners at 3:06 p.m. Absent: None
The Lake County Board of Commissioners will convene for the following meeting in the Lake County Service Center, Split Rock River Room, 616 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, Minnesota:
• Organizational meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 6, 2026
ATTEST:
Laurel D. Buchanan
Clerk of the Board
Rich Sve, Board Chairperson
Lake County Board of Commissioners
Northshore Journal: January 16, 2026
