Tuesday, March 24, 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 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: Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston, Interim County Attorney Lara Nygaard, Interim Auditor-Treasurer Ronelle “Ronni” Radle, Human Resources (HR) Director Cammie Young, Land Commissioner Nate Eide, Environmental Services Assistant Director Tanya Feldkamp, and Clerk of the Board Laurel D. Buchanan.
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 01 – Approval of the agenda, with changes. Absent: None
Lake County Board Chairperson Rich Sve opened the floor for public comments.
Operation Volunteers for Veterans (V4V) Tanya Bruzek spoke about upcoming monthly social events being organized by Operation V4V and Harbor Theater, including Monthly Coffee Break for Veterans every first Thursday morning and Veterans’ Movie Night every third Thursday evening. Free admission is provided for Veterans. All public ticket proceeds go directly toward providing free admission for our Veterans. 2026 event dates include the months of April through December.
Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston provided an update on several items of county business. Human Resources (HR) Director Cammie Young was present to respond to any questions on behalf of the HR department. Land Commissioner Nate Eide discussed Senate File 1245 and advised that he will be testifying at the hearing. Mr. Eide reported healthy bidding on the land sale. Interim Auditor/Treasurer Ronelle Radle discussed the process for tax forfeited sales and surplus proceeds. Auditor Radle advised regarding the Lake County property taxes mailing and that we have a new payment system on the web site that is working well.
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HURD: 02 – Approve Consent Agenda, as presented:
1. Approve County Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting minutes of March 10, 2026.
2. Approve Health and Human Services claims payments in the following amounts:
a. Administrative Payments $ 23,555.51
b. ABHI Region 3 Payments $ 68,928.79
c. Special Payments $ 7,827.23
3. Adopt findings and conditions by the Environmental Services Department for Interim Use Application I-26-007r, submitted by Melanie & Erik Peterson-Nafziger at 5758 Little Marais Road, Finland, MN 55603.
4. Authorize Highway Department payment to City of Ely at a cost not to exceed $13,520.03 for Salt Sand use in Fall Lake Township for the 2025-2026 winter season.
5. Authorize Highway Department payment to Jessica Hall at a cost not to exceed $6,732.00 for cleaning services for the Finland Highway Maintenance Facility from June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2027 at the rate of $436 per month and for cleaning services for the Hwy 1/ Hwy 2 Wayside Rest from June 1, 2026 through October 31, 2026 at a rate of $300 per month.
6. Award a Construction Engineering Services contract to WSB in the amount of $124,535.00 for providing construction contract administration, staking, observation, inspection, material testing and control, and material production plant inspection for project SP 038-602-035, Highway 2 Resurfacing (Reeves Road to Wales Road) and authorize the Board Chair to sign the contract pending County Attorney review.
7. Authorize Highway Department purchase of a Darkhorse 16-foot enclosed trailer from Pine River Sales at a cost not to exceed $12,840.75 plus any additional delivery, tax, title, or registration fees.
8. Authorize Highway Department purchase through lowest submitted price quote for a Fecon Model BH40EXC Forestry Mulching Head from McCoy Construction and Forestry at a cost not to exceed $56,250.00 plus any additional delivery, tax, title, or registration fees.
9. Authorize Highway Department payment to McCoy Construction and Forestry at a cost not to exceed $8,950.00 for modifications to Unit 5131, a 2013 Deere 210 Hydraulic Excavator to improve performance.
10. Authorize County Auditor to transfer $51,289.46 from 950 Forestry fund (2025) to Resource Development fund for apportionment. Breakdown of amounts follows:
11. Approve a one-day temporary on-sale liquor permit for Whitetail’s Unlimited for the date of April 11, 2026, at the Clair Nelson Community Center in Finland, Minnesota. Contingent on payment of applicable fees. Absent: None
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND HOGENSON: 03 – Approve the change in employee status of Kaatji Gomez, Human Services Specialist, due to completion of probation period effective March 24, 2026. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 04 – Approve the resignation of Alexandra Campbell, Environmental Services Specialist, effective April 3, 2026. Absent: None
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 05 – Approve the recruitment for one full-time Environmental Services Specialist. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND BALTICH: 06 – Approve the retirement of Therese Lorntson, Administrative Assistant, effective May 22, 2026. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 07 – Approve the Human Resources Generalist addition to the classification structure. Absent: None
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 08 – Approve the recruitment for one full-time Human Resources Generalist. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HOGENSON: 09 – Adopt the proposed amendments to the Cannabis Ordinance #29. Absent: None
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 10 – Recess the regular County Board meeting at 2:48 p.m. for a closed session pursuant to Minnesota Statute 13D.05, subd. 3(c3) to develop or consider offers or counteroffers for the purchase or sale of real or personal property. Absent: None
The Lake County Board of Commissioners began its closed session at 2:51 p.m. and reconvened its regular meeting at 3:46 p.m.
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 11 – Authorize the Lake County Land Commissioner, or designee, to bid at the in-person land sale auction, on behalf of Lake County, on the tax forfeited undivided interests for the following five parcels: 28-6311-22250, 28-6311-22370, 28-6311-22430, 28-6311-22490, and 28- 6311-23790. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND HOGENSON: 12 – Adjourn Board meeting of the Lake County Board of Commissioners at 3:48 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.
• County Board Work Session at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2026
• Agenda meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026
• Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14, 2026
ATTEST:
Laurel D. Buchanan
Clerk of the Board
Rich Sve, Board Chairperson
Lake County Board of Commissioners
Northshore Journal: April 24, 2026
