Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Lake County Board of Commissioners’ regularly scheduled meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by Lake County Board Chairperson Rich Sve. Chair 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. When a County Board member is present via interactive technology, voting is done by roll call. 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 4 Commissioner Jeremy M. Hurd, and District 5 Commissioner Rich Sve. Board member(s) present via interactive technology: District 3 Commissioner Richard “Rick” C. Hogenson. Board member(s) absent: None.
Also present in the SRRR: County Sheriff Nathan Stadler, Interim County Attorney Lara Nygaard, Interim Auditor-Treasurer Ronni Radle, Chief Deputy Recorder Lisa Lee, Information Technology (I.T.) Department Director Dan Lackore, Highway Engineer Jason DiPiazza, Accountant Lola Haus from the Office of the County Auditor, Chief Deputy Auditor Wendy Morlang, Planning Commission member John Bathke, and Clerk of the Board Laurel D. Buchanan. Others present via interactive technology: County Administrator Matthew Huddleston and a member of the public, George Spalding.
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND BALTICH: 01 – Approval of the agenda. Absent: None
Lake County Board Chairperson Rich Sve reminded attendees that today is the annual Township Day. Next on the agenda is public comments on the Proposed Resolution to make the Offices of the Auditor/ Treasurer and Recorder appointed Pursuant to Minnesota Statute 375A.1205. Board Chairperson Rich Sve started with a round of introductions and an overview of the proposed resolution. Madam Clerk confirmed the notice of intent and proposed resolution were published in the Northshore Journal two consecutive weeks on February 27 and March 6, 2026.
Interim Auditor-Treasurer Ronni Radle provided reasons for requesting and supporting the change for the Office of the County Auditor. Ronni Radle is currently the interim County Auditor-Treasurer as the current Auditor retired prior to end of the elected term. Ronni Radle requested the County Board consider transitioning the office of County Auditor/Treasurer to appointed to promote efficiency, consistency and administrative oversight. The County Auditor manages multiple complex administrative functions including the county budget and finances, property tax program and elections.
Transitioning to an appointed County Auditor and Recorder ensures that critical positions are filled based on specific qualifications rather than minimal electoral requirements. All statutory duties and responsibilities of the offices remain in place.
County government relies on cohesive departmental work to effectively serve its residents. Appointing qualified individuals to these roles will enhance overall efficiency of the offices and county operations. Chief Deputy Recorder Lisa Lee provided reasons and supporting the change for the Office of the County Recorder and discussed the expertise that is needed to run those departments smoothly. Board Chair Rich Sve inquired whether the Board would like to move forward with the proposed resolution. County Commissioners discussed. No comments were received from the public. Board Chairperson Rich Sve opened the floor for other public comments. No public comments were made.
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 02 – Approve the Resolution to make the Offices of the Auditor/ Treasurer and Recorder appointed Pursuant to Minnesota Statute 375A.1205, which shall become effective 30 days after its adoption. Absent: None
Interim County Auditor/Treasurer Ronni Radle provided updates on several items, including a fiscal disparities history. Lake County Sheriff Nathan Stadler provided an overview of his request for board action. Information Technology (I.T.) Director Dan Lackore discussed upcoming changes for the web site and was present to answer any questions on his request for board action. Highway Engineer Jason DiPiazza was present to answer any requests on his requests for board action.
Board Chairperson Rich Sve asked to remove an item from the consent agenda for separate board action and discussion. George Spalding connected virtually to hear the outcome of awarding a contract as recommended by Fall Lake Township and in fulfillment of the agreement with Fall Lake for the Sunset Road Connector project.
MOTION HURD, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 03 – Approve Consent Agenda, with one change:
1. Approve County Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting minutes of February 24, 2026.
2. Approve the Official Proceedings of a Second Public Hearing on a Petition for Establishment of a Cartway, in Unorganized Territory No. 2, County of Lake, Minnesota. The second public hearing was held on February 10, 2026.
3. Approve Health and Human Services claims payments in the following amounts:
a. Administrative Payments $ 19,271.00
b. ABHI Region 3 Payments $ 25,031.35
4. Authorize payment of $13,010.00 to Streicher’s (Invoice #I1808575) for the purchase of 19 shotguns. This invoice reflects a payment of $5,040.00, which is what we received for trade-in of our old shotguns (see Credit Memo CM305089).
5. Authorize the Highway Engineer to sign the Special Event Permit for The Wolf Bikepacking Race scheduled for July 10-12, 2026 beginning and ending in Finland at the Clair Nelson Center and utilizing Cramer Road (CSAH 7 and CSAH 8), Highway 2 (CSAH 2), and Kawishiwi Trail (CSAH 16).
6. Authorize Highway Department purchase of a Landa Pressure Washer / Culvert Steamer from American Pressure, Inc., at a cost not to exceed $10,533.00 through State Contract No 203215 plus any additional delivery, tax, title, or registration fees.
7. Authorize the Board Chair to sign an agreement with the Toimi School Community Center to provide general maintenance services and supplies for the Toimi Wayside Rest on Forest Highway 11 (CSAH 15), for a cost not to exceed $4,800.00.
8. Authorize the Highway Department to advertise for bids for an Aggregate Stockpile Production contract, Project CSP 025-001-000 proposed for the Cramer, Lax Lake, and Swanstrom pits; and authorize the Board Chair to sign an agreement with Lake County municipalities to produce and accept payment for aggregate stockpiles for use by the municipalities in the contract proposal.
9. Authorize Highway Department payment to Transwest at a cost not to exceed $6,962.70 for repairs to unit #4251, a 2025 Western Star snowplow.
10. Accept proposal 25-A-0331 (dated 2/24/2026, Project Phase Two, Sonju Arena in Two Harbors, Minnesota) and authorize payment to The Jamar Company in an amount not to exceed $1,396,088.00 for the removal of existing asphalt roofing, vapor barrier/ underlayment, damaged roof decking, flashings, mechanicals and all other damaged materials on roof area. The proposal specifies all said materials in the Sourcewell Work Order. The Contractor for proposed project (The Jamar Company) will be utilizing Sourcewell EZIQC Contract No.: MN-R2-RW-102825-JMR under the detailed Sourcewell Work Number: 152824.00 (dated 2/24/2026). This agreement fulfills all requirements under state and local statutes. The price difference from proposal ($1,296,088.00) to an “amount not to exceed” ($1,396,088.00) is due to the unknown condition of the roof decking, fascia boards and all other wood components of roof area. Further resolved, approve and authorize the Board Chair to sign the agreement documents, including the Project Labor Agreement (PLA) for this project.
11. Approve payment to City of Silver Bay, invoice 00385 dated 2/02/26 in the amount of $6,468.68, for reimbursement of ½ cost of replacement batteries for zamboni at Rukavina Arena.
12. Approve and authorize the Lake County Recorder’s Office to enter into a 63 month lease for a new Canon/Oce Plotwave T30 Wide Format Scanner/Printer at $403.50 per month through EO JOHNSON Business Technologies and authorize the County Recorder to sign said lease agreement.
13. Authorize payment to CivicPlus for $63,931.50 for year one, and $34,980 for year two, and approve a contract agreement for 24 months. Contract renewal will be yearly after year two. Absent: None
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 04 – Award SAP 038-592-001 to the lowest responsible bidder, Low Impact Excavators Inc in the amount of $388,622.78 as recommended by Fall Lake Township and in fulfillment of the agreement with Fall Lake for the Sunset Road Connector project and authorize the Board Chair to sign the construction contract pending County Attorney review. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 05 – Approve the appointment of Bryr Ludington to Environmental Services Director at the 2025 Step 3 rate of $46.72 per hour effective March 13, 2026. Absent: None
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND HURD: 06 – Approve the probationary appointment of Joseph Leeper to Senior Engineering Technician at the 2025 Step 7 rate of $32.98 per hour effective March 16, 2026. Absent: None
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 07 – Approve the probationary appointment of Kimberly Fehring to Accounting Technician at the 2025 Step 2 rate of $24.29 per hour effective March 30, 2026. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 08 – Approve the Highway Department request to fill one 67-day temporary Engineering Intern position at $20.50 per hour. Absent: None MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 09 – Adjourn Board meeting of the Lake County Board of Commissioners at 2:42 p.m. Absent: None
The Lake County Board of Commissioners will convene for the following meetings
• Meeting of the Committee of the Whole at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at the Lake County Highway Department, Hwy 2 Meeting Room, 1513 Highway 2, Two Harbors, Minnesota.
• Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in the Lake County Service Center, Split Rock River Room, 616 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, Minnesota.
ATTEST:
Laurel D. Buchanan
Clerk of the Board
Rich Sve, Board Chairperson
Lake County Board of Commissioners
Northshore Journal: March 27, 2026
