Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Lake County Board of Commissioners’ regularly scheduled meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by 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, Lake County Sheriff Nathan Stadler, Interim County Attorney Lara Nygaard, Lake County Interim Auditor / Treasurer Ronelle “Ronni” Radle, Lake County Forestry Department / Land Commissioner Nate Eide, Lake County Highway Engineer Jason DiPiazza, Lake County Health and Human Services (LCHHS) Director Lisa B. Hanson, and Clerk of the Board Laurel D. Buchanan.
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 01 – Approval of the agenda. Absent: None
Lake County Board Chairperson Rich Sve opened the floor for public comments. Rick Evans spoke during the public comment period, not as a newspaper reporter, but as a member of the Two Harbors Breakwall Indivisible. Several representatives from Two Harbors Breakwall Indivisible were present. Mr. Evans provided copies of a letter dated February 9, 2026, addressed to the members of the Two Harbors City Council, the Lake County Board, the Two Harbors Police Department, and the Lake County Sheriff’s Department. Mr. Evans spoke about recent events occurring in our state and actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol agents. The letter requests a public response. Mr. Evans spoke about the right to free speech, to peacefully assemble, to petition our government for a redress of grievances and the right to be treated with basic human dignity and respect, regardless of citizenship status.
Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston provided an update on several items of county business. Lake County Board Chairperson Sve recessed the County Board meeting at 2:27 P.M. in order to convene a second public hearing on the Lanthier Cartway Petition. There are separate minutes for the public hearing. The County Board meeting was reconvened at 3:35 P.M. with all members present. Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston continued with updates on several items of county business. Lake County Highway Engineer Jason DiPiazza provided an update and was present for any questions on his requests for board action. Interim Auditor / Treasurer Ronni Radle spoke in favor of changing to appointed positions rather than elected positions for the Auditor’s Office and the Recorder’s Office.
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND HURD: 02 – Approve Consent Agenda as presented:
1. Approve County Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting minutes of January 27, 2026.
2. Approve Health and Human Services claims payments in the following amounts:
a. Administrative Payments $ 186,873.56
b. ABHI Region 3 Payments $ 66,562.60
c. Special Payments $ 238,646.60
3. Authorize the County Auditor to sign the State of Minnesota 2025 Polling Place Accessibility Grant Program Agreement for $3,380.03 in reimbursement funds to install electronic hold-open devices on courthouse interior doors connecting the accessible entrance and lobby.
4. Authorize the purchase of LanSweeper which is the inventory and hardware management tool used by the Lake County Information Technology (I.T.) Department. This tool allows us to report on individual computer needs and inventory the hardware as well as report for our Minnesota Counties Intergovernmental Trust (MCIT) coverage; authorize payment not to exceed the amount of $5,780 to SHI Corp for the purchase of this software.
5. Adopt findings and conditions by the Environmental Services Department for Interim Use Application I-26-006r, submitted by Timothy & Sandra Oliver at 1564 Burlington Road, Two Harbors, MN 55616.
6. Authorize payment to Finland Fire and Rescue in the amount of $8,000.00 for 2026 rent of Finland Rescue Hall.
7. Authorize payment to City of Silver Bay in the amount of $24,187.01, invoice 0051, for UT 1 fire department services for the 2025 fiscal year.
8. Authorize Highway Department purchase of a 2024 John Deere 644 P Wheel Loader from McCoy Construction and Forestry at a cost not to exceed $256,133.00 plus any additional delivery, tax, title, or registration fees and minus trade-in value of Unit # 5113, a 2011 CAT 930H Wheel Loader.
9. Authorize the Highway Department to dispose of Unit 5113, a 2011 CAT 930H Wheel Loader through a purchase agreement trade to McCoy Construction and Forestry.
10. Authorize the Highway Department to advertise for bids for a construction contract for the following planned improvement and maintenance projects:
SAP 038-602-035 – Highway 2 Resurfacing Project
SAP 038-634-001 – Bridge 38535 Rehabilitation
11. Cancel the meeting of the Committee of the Whole (COW) that had been scheduled for 10:00 AM on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at the Lake County Highway Department, Two Harbors, Minnesota. There will be no meeting of the COW in February 2026. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HURD: 03 – Approve the temporary appointment of Rogene Moe, former Administrative Assistant Recorder’s Office, at the 2025 Step 11 rate of $29.42 per hour effective February 10, 2026. Absent: None
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND HOGENSON: 04 – Approve the Maintenance Department request to fill two 67-day temporary Grounds Maintenance positions at $18.00 per hour. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND BALTICH: 05 – Approve the Highway Department request to fill the following 67-day temporary positions: Laborer 3 positions $18.00 per hour Industrial Mower 5 positions $19.00 per hour Absent: None
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BALTICH: 06 – Adjourn Board meeting of the Lake County Board of Commissioners at 3:56 p.m. Absent: None
The Lake County Board of Commissioners will convene for the following meetings in the Lake County Service Center, Split Rock River Room, 616 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, Minnesota:
• Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 24, 2026
ATTEST:
Laurel D. Buchanan
Clerk of the Board
Rich Sve, Board Chairperson
Lake County Board of Commissioners
Northshore Journal: March 13, 2026
