Tuesday, May 19, 2026. An emergency meeting was held during a regularly scheduled meeting of the Committee of the Whole, Lake County Board of Commissioners at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Stony River Township, outside the Isabella Community Center, 9521 Lankinen Road, Isabella, Minnesota. Unless otherwise stated, all actions have been approved by unanimous yea vote. Lake County Board members present at the Isabella Community Center: 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. County Board members absent: None. Also present: Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston, Interim County Attorney Lara Nygaard, and Lake County Emergency Management Director Warren LaPlante. Board Chairperson Rich Sve called the Emergency Meeting to order at 6:06 PM, with all board members present.
On May 16, 2026, Board Chairperson Rich Sve declared that a state of local emergency exists within Lake County, Minnesota. The resolution was requested by Lake County Emergency Manager Warren LaPlante. The purpose of the emergency meeting is to ratify the Local Emergency Declaration for Lake County for losses and damages incurred as a result of the Stewart Trail Wildfire. The conditions began on May 15, 2026, and are continuing. The following conditions exist in Lake County as a result of a natural disaster: environmental and property damage.
Lake County Emergency Management Director Warren LaPlante provided an overview of the state of local emergency that exists within Lake County, resulting from the Stewart Trail Wildfire.
MOTION HURD, SECOND HOGENSON: 01 – The Lake County Board of Commissioners, acting on behalf of and for the people of Lake County, declares that a state of local emergency exists within Lake County, due to a natural disaster, with all the power and responsibilities attending thereto as provided by Chapter 12, Minnesota Statute, and Lake County resolution titled “Resolution No. 26051601, Local Emergency Declaration – Lake County, MN,” dated 16 May 2026. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 02 – The Emergency Meeting of the Lake County Board of Commissioners was adjourned at 6:08 PM. Absent: None
ATTEST:
Matthew Huddleston
County Administrator / Acting Clerk of the Board
Rich Sve, Board Chairperson
Lake County Board of Commissioners
Northshore Journal: June 5, 2026
