April 28th marked a meeting of the Lake County Board of Commissioners, along with being National Superhero Day and the birthday of Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird, according to Board Chair Rich Sve. The meeting began with County Administrator Matt Huddleston commending new Environmental Services Director Bryr Ludington for her work so far, especially considering the number of changes currently happening related to the Environmental Services Department. This includes working with the MN DNR on ongoing updates to multiple Lake County Ordinances, two of which had amendments approved during this session: Land Use Ordinance #12 and Subdivision Ordinance #9.
Concerning technology, the County’s plans for a new website continue to be in the works, with hopes of replacing the current iteration in October or November of 2026. There have also been recent security concerns over the use of personal phones versus County phones by staff for County matters, with the Board hoping to find a solution that doesn’t involve 30-character passwords. Data practices of the County are another point due for an update, especially given the increased number of data requests recently.
The Commissioner’s Correspondence began with Commissioner Joe Baltich, who recounted the April 27th open house in Isabella, MN he and Sve attended. Many members of the Forest Service were present and Baltich took the opportunity to ask about the status of the Kawishiwi Bridge. The County has wanted to replace the bridge with the help of state funds, but the relevant bill has stalled with no progress for some time. The Board is still interested in pursuing the project and considering its next course of action.
Commissioner Rick Hogenson covered two fundraisers: the success of this year’s Lake County Chamber Spring Gala, where officials mingled with members of the local business community, and the Lake County Veterans’ Memorial project, which continues to seek donations and is currently about three-quarters of the way to their goal for their planned memorial in Two Harbors.
Commissioner Rick Goutermont had a host of topics to cover, starting with the Arrowhead Counties Association being put in stasis for the moment, with the idea that if a good opportunity presents itself in the future, the structure for the Association will be in place to be used once again. Goutermont and Sve attended the Survive This! emergency preparedness event and complimented the strong attendance from emergency responders in the region. Goutermont next pushed for action on the sale of a certain property in the Finland area, with the Board’s main point of contention being the method of selling the building. Huddleston agreed that it would be good to decide before next winter to avoid additional costs, but the Board abstained from any immediate decisions. Goutermont finally thanked Interim Auditor/Treasurer Ronelle Radle for her work on a potential helium production tax, with Commissioner Huddleston helping present the tax to leaders in the region. There has already been positive feedback from St. Louis County and the Iron Range’s RAMS (Range Association of Municipalities and Schools) in support of the tax. Helium is looming large in Northeastern Minnesota’s future, and having a governmental structure, such as this tax, in place to handle the incoming industrial boom will be essential for ensuring the local economy gets a fair share of the wealth.
Approved consent agenda items of note included: a Construction Engineering Services contract to LHB for a bridge rehabilitation project in Superior National Forest; purchase of signposts from Franklin Industries for the Highway Department; a joint powers agreement between the Highway Department and Cook County Soil and Water for funding through the Watershed Based Implementation Funding Grant Program for work on the Lake Superior North Watershed in Knife River; and authorizing steps of several Highway Department projects in both Two Harbors and Silver Bay, with Huddleston earlier relaying that an exact amount for the work in Silver Bay is still to be decided and voted on at a later date.
