Tuesday, June 23, 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. 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, and District 5 Commissioner Rich Sve. Board member(s) absent: District 4 Commissioner Jeremy M. Hurd: Also present: County Administrator Matthew Huddleston, County Sheriff Nathan Stadler, Chief Deputy Tim Luoma, Deputy Alex McGrath, Interim Auditor Ronelle “Ronni” Radle, County Land Commissioner Nate Eide, County Environmental Services Director Bryr Ludington, County Highway Engineer Jason DiPiazza, and Clerk of the Board Laurel D. Buchanan.
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BALTICH: 01 – Approval of the agenda. Absent: Hurd
Lake County Board Chairperson Rich Sve opened the floor for public comments. No public comments were made. Lake County Sheriff Nathan Stadler provided an annual update on behalf of the Office of the County Sheriff, focusing on top accomplishments over the last several years. Key discussion points include improvements to staffing levels, implementing body cameras, and creating an employee wellness program, funded through public safety aid. The program is confidential, and Sheriff’s Office employees are required to participate annually. We are seeing full utilization of the program. Sheriff Stadler advised that Robert “Bob” Norlen is in his fiftieth year with the Lake County Rescue Squad, having joined in 1976, and recently honored as Minnesota Sheriff’s Association Volunteer of the year. Sheriff Stadler advised that the new Lake Assault Patrol Boat is now docked in the Silver Bay Marina and has been used for recovery and other efforts. Lake County Deputy Alex McGrath provided an extensive history of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the 13 Sheriffs who have served in that role since 1891. Prior to 1891, the St. Louis County Sheriff served as Sheriff for Lake County and Cook County as well as St. Louis County, for a brief period of time. Deputy McGrath explained the intricacies of various timelines of milestone events in the history of the Office of the County Sheriff, County of Lake, State of Minnesota.
Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston provided an update on several items of county business. The Silver Cartway Petition has been withdrawn. Lake County Auditor Ronni Radle advised that her requests for board action are for approving appointments as election judges for Unorganized Territory #2; approving resolution establishing an Absentee Ballot Board as required by Minnesota Statutes 203B.121, Subd 1; approving appointments to the 2026 Absentee Ballot Board; and approving the 2026 election judge hourly wage schedule. Lake County Environmental Services Director Bryr Ludington was present to answer any questions on her department’s requests for board action. Lake County Land Commissioner Nate Eide has a draft camping ordinance that he will be bringing forward for review and for pursuing the process to adopt the ordinance. Land Commissioner Nate Eide discussed culverts that are needed for the Voyageur Snowmobile Club trail to Castle Danger. Lake County Highway Engineer Jason DiPiazza provided several updates on construction projects.
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 02 – Approve Consent Agenda as presented:
1. Approve County Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting minutes of June 9, 2026.
2. Approve Health and Human Services claims payments in the following amounts:
a. ABHI Region 3 Payments $ 151,282.54
b. Special Payments $ 10,120.04
3. Approve closeout of project SAP 038-602-036, Highway 2 (CSAH 2) Reconditioning, White Pine Picnic area to Greenwood Lake Access, and final payment of $34,288.87 for the work completed to KGM Contractors for a total contract work value of $3,428,886.64.
4. Authorize Highway Department purchase of a 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 PRO pickup truck from Don Johnson Auto Group based on review of sales quotes received at a cost not to exceed $46,095.88 plus any additional delivery, tax, title, or registration fees.
5. Authorize the Highway Engineer to sign the Special Event Permit for the 2026 Grit and Gratitude Bike Ride scheduled for August 16, 2026 and located on various county roads and highways, beginning and ending at Spokengear in Two Harbors, off CSAH 26.
6. Approve the Resolution approving Application for Highway Easement Across State Land for Project SAP 038-631-001 and authorize payment of the application fee and appraised value of the easement acquisition to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for project SAP 038-631-001, Lax Lake Road over Lindstrom Creek.
7. Approve the obligation of Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Title III funds (FY2024 and FY2025) and all previous funding years in accordance with program requirements for:
(1) to carry out activities under the Firewise Communities program
(2) to reimburse the participating county for search and rescue and other emergency services, including firefighting and law enforcement patrols
(3) to cover training costs and equipment purchases directly related to the emergency services described in paragraph (2); and
(4) to develop and carry out community wildfire protection plans
8. Adopt the recommendation by the Planning Commission for Interim Use Application I-26-016, submitted by Sasha Fjeran at 770 Airport Rd, Two Harbors MN. PID: 25- 5311-27250.
9. Adopt the recommendation by the Planning Commission for Interim Use Application I-26-015, submitted by Under Pine Skies LLC at Kawishiwi Trail, Ely, MN 55731. PID: 28-6383-05200.
10. Approve the Resolution Approving the Local Bridge Replacement Program Grant Agreement, Grant Terms and Conditions, SP No. 038- 634-001. Absent: Hurd
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 03 – Approve Resolution Authorizing Selling the Former Lake County Finland Forestry Office to the Lake County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (LCHRA) for the Intended Use of Workforce Housing. Absent: Hurd
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND HOGENSON: 04 – Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the 2026-2028 Labor Agreement between Lake County and Minnesota Public Employees Association covering Dispatchers/Corrections Officer employees. Absent: Hurd
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND BALTICH: 05 – Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the 2026-2028 Labor Agreement between Lake County and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Local 66 covering Health and Human Services employees. Absent: Hurd
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 06 – Approve the probationary appointment of Bret Kutter to Facilities Worker at the Step 3 rate of $20.45 per hour effective June 29, 2026. Absent: Hurd
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND HOGENSON: 07 – Approve the probationary appointment of Joe Yost to Highway Maintenance Worker at the 2025 Step 4 rate of $25.94 per hour effective June 29, 2026. Absent: Hurd
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND BALTICH: 08 – Approve and authorize the Board Chair to sign the Lease Agreement by and between North Shore Area Partners (“Landlord”) and Lake County (“Tenant”). Absent: Hurd
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BALTICH: 09 – Approve the following appointments as election judges for Unorganized Territory #2:
Precinct 1: Karin Harris, Carol Jackson, Jo-Ann Rossetter, Marlys Wisch
Precinct 2: Bonita Bieniek, Raymond Hermanson, Jeffrey Sines, Carol Thompson
Precinct 3: Jill Anderson, John Bonk, Joan Gelineau, Roland Kane
Precinct 4: Elizabeth Egan, Vicki Falk, Gerry Graden, Dana Kollars Alternate Judges: Julie Anderson, Gerry Graden, Anne Jasperson, Cynthia Ortman, Suzanne Powell, Amy Renne, Dan Schleeter, Julie Stewart. Absent: Hurd
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HOGENSON: 10 – Approve Resolution establishing an Absentee Ballot Board as required by Minnesota Statutes 203B.121, Subd 1. Absent: Hurd
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 11 – Approve the following appointments to the 2026 Absentee Ballot Board:
Election Judges: John Bathke, Gerry Graden, Heidi Hove, Anne Jasperson, Julia Jaeger, Cynthia Ortman, Mary Quass, Dan Schleeter, Marlys Wisch, Brandy Wolstad.
Deputy Auditors: Jodi Anderson, Chad Brelie, Lola Haus, Amanda Johnson, Lisa Knight, Ronelle Radle, Wendy Morlang. Absent: Hurd
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 12 – Approve the 2026 election judge hourly wage schedule of:
$16/hr for election judges
$17/hr for head election judges
Minimum of 4 hours for alternate judges scheduled as on call. Absent: Hurd
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BALTICH: 13 – Adjourn meeting of the Lake County Board of Commissioners at 3:06 p.m. Absent: Hurd
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:
• County Board Work Session / Strategic Planning meeting at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, 2026
• Agenda meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7, 2026
• Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, 2026
ATTEST:
Laurel D. Buchanan
Clerk of the Board
Rich Sve, Board Chairperson
Lake County Board of Commissioners
Northshore Journal: July 24, 2026
