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Koochiching County, Minnesota

Koochiching County public meetings in 2025

22 substantive meetings from 2025, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.

Tue Dec 16, 2025

County Board of Commissioners

Board will adopt the 2026 county tax levy and budget

The County Board will approve the meeting agenda, the minutes from the December 9, 2025 meeting, and several financial claims for the courthouse, highway, and public health and human services. It will adopt the 2026 county tax levy and budget, approve a resolution for interfund loans, and consider approvals for a draft LEC lease and county policies on drug and alcohol, meal and rest breaks, and Minnesota paid leave. Additional items include renewals of multiple health‑service agreements, designation of depositories, ATV and snowmobile grants, purchases of a tow‑behind weed sprayer and a grapple truck loader, and approval of a change order and final payment for the Rainy Lake RV sewer contract.

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✓ Decided: Board approved 2026 net tax levy increase and adopted the county budget

The Koochiching County Board approved a 6% increase to the net tax levy, raising it to $8,118,548 for 2026. It also adopted the 2026 budget with revenues of $39,556,559 and expenditures of $39,723,971, authorizing $157,412 from reserve funds and permitting the Administration Director to assign fund balances. Additional actions included authorizing inter‑fund loans for sewer debt funds and approving several policy renewals and grant allocations.

Tue Dec 9, 2025

County Board of Commissioners

Public hearing on the proposed 2026 county budget and tax levy

The County Board will approve the agenda, minutes, and several financial items, then consider a letter to International Falls officials, adopt a resolution for a state grant to the Northland Counseling Center roofing project, and approve a lease renewal for Forestland building space. Additional business includes sheriff department procurement, highway engineer truck purchase, and environmental services contracts. The meeting concludes with a Truth in Taxation public hearing on the proposed 2026 budget and tax levy.

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Tue Dec 9, 2025

County Board of Commissioners

✓ Decided: Board adopted ordinance requiring point‑of‑sale certification for sanitary sewer inflow

The County Board approved multiple contracts, leases, and grants, and adopted a new sanitary sewer ordinance. All motions passed unanimously with a 5‑0 vote. No items were denied or tabled.

Tue Nov 25, 2025

County Board of Commissioners

Koochiching County Board to review 2026 budget and levy

The Board of Commissioners will consider approvals for a new motor grader and radio console equipment. The meeting includes a Committee of the Whole session to review the 2026 budget, levy, and Truth in Taxation. Other business includes liquor and tobacco license approvals for 2026.

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✓ Decided: County agreed to sponsor Big Falls road improvement project request

The board adopted a resolution to act as the sponsor for the City of Big Falls’ Local Road Improvement Project funding request. The county also approved the purchase of a John Deere 672P motor grader for $414,972.00. Additional approvals included a $10,788.9 sanitary sewer project for Rainy Lake RV, a $300 annual increase for canister site attendant contracts, and a $10,500 quote to relocate dispatch radio operations. The board also approved the renewal of the 2026 Children’s Mental Health Screening Grant, the 2026 liquor and tobacco licenses, and payment of Courthouse claims for $144,138.61 and Highway claims for $5,963.22.

Tue Nov 18, 2025

County Board of Commissioners

County board to vote on ATV ordinance, fee schedule, and hiring

The Koochiching County Board will hold a public hearing on an ATV ordinance and vote on approving the 2026 fee schedule, hiring new staff, and authorizing bids for new motor graders and fleet trucks.

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✓ Decided: County Board approves $150K Stonegarden grant and adopts revised ATV ordinance

The board approved a $150,000 Stonegarden grant and adopted a revised County ATV ordinance. It also approved the 2026 County Fee Schedule with new judiciary and marriage license fees, set commissioner salaries at $17,044 with a $125 per‑diem, and authorized several opioid‑settlement grants totaling over $80,000. Additionally, the board authorized the County Engineer to seek bids for a new motor grader. All motions passed with unanimous support from the five commissioners.

Tue Oct 28, 2025

County Board of Commissioners

Board to approve bids for two new sheriff squads for 2026

The County Board will approve its agenda, minutes from the October 14 meeting, and several financial claim items. It will consider a host‑site agreement with Lead for America/American Connection Corps and approve a resolution sponsoring the City of Littlefork’s local road project funding request. The Board will also review a conditional use permit (CUP #20251276) and approve bids for two new sheriff squads for 2026.

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✓ Decided: Board approves Littlefork road project sponsorship and several community actions

The board adopted a resolution to act as sponsor for the City of Littlefork’s Local Road Improvement Project. It also approved a letter of support for the Voyageur Country ATV Club trail, accepted a donation of 96 winter coats, and authorized several contracts and agreements. Additional actions included renewing the MFIP service plan and reintroducing a bid request for the sheriff’s department.

Tue Oct 14, 2025

County Board of Commissioners

County Board to consider Forestland Roofing Project change order

The Koochiching County Board of Commissioners will review a change order for the Forestland Roofing Project and discuss drafting Emergency Medical Services Special Taxing District documents. The board will also vote on an off‑site legal gambling permit, renew the county group health insurance, and approve a University of Minnesota Extension program agreement. Additional items include human‑resources separations and vacancies, highway department business, and a public meeting on an ATV ordinance revision.

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✓ Decided: Board directed drafting of an EMS special taxing district resolution

The Koochiching County Board approved a series of personnel separations and hires, several contracts and permits, and authorized a health‑insurance renewal with an 18.9% increase. It also directed the County Attorney and Auditor/Treasurer to draft a resolution and contract to create an emergency medical services special taxing district. Additionally, the Board set a public hearing for ATV ordinance revisions on November 18, 2025.

Tue Oct 7, 2025

County Board of Commissioners

County board reviews budgets and discusses ambulance district agreement

The Koochiching County Board of Commissioners will review line-item budgets for various departments and discuss the drafting of a Joint Powers Agreement for an ambulance district.

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Tue Sep 23, 2025

County Board of Commissioners

Koochiching County Board to set preliminary 2026 tax levy

The County Board of Commissioners will meet to set the preliminary 2026 tax levy and approve the 2026 fee schedule for Environmental Services. The board will also consider a rezoning request and a support resolution for the Ash River Collection and Treatment System.

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✓ Decided: Board approves 2026 tax levy of $8.35 M, an 8.99% increase

The board approved the 2026 preliminary county tax levy of $8,347,552, an 8.99% increase over 2025. It also approved rezoning and a conditional use permit for a commercial storage project on parcel ID#21-026-140000. The board adopted the 2026 Environmental Services fee schedule and certified delinquent 2025 commercial solid waste fees with a 10% penalty for 2026. All motions carried with unanimous votes.

Tue Sep 9, 2025

County Board of Commissioners

County Board to decide sale of county house at 3365 County Road 24

The Koochiching County Board will hold a public hearing to approve or deny the sale of the county‑owned highway house located at 3365 County Road 24. The board will also consider financial items such as the 2026 Taxing District Levy Requests, an airport maintenance and operations grant agreement, and a renewal of a three‑year ESRI GIS contract. Additional discussion topics include a Highway 11/71 corridor open house and various departmental updates.

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✓ Decided: Board authorized sale of county highway property at 3365 Count Road 24

The board approved the sale of the Highway Department house at 3365 Count Road 24 for a minimum $130,000 and allowed the department to use a broker if the sealed‑bid sale fails. It also approved 2026 fire‑district and other taxing‑district levy requests, adopted the airport maintenance grant, and directed the county attorney to draft a 20‑year lease with the City of International Falls for space in the Law Enforcement Center. All motions passed unanimously.

Tue Aug 26, 2025

County Board of Commissioners

Koochiching County Board to discuss budget, road bids, and public health agreements

The Koochiching County Board will meet in Big Falls to approve claims, minutes, and appointments, and to discuss the 2026 budget, highway construction bids, and timber auction results.

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✓ Decided: Board approved infant‑at‑work pilot, courthouse AC upgrade, and key land‑use permits

The Koochiching County Board unanimously approved an infant‑at‑work pilot program and a $172,650 contract to replace courthouse air‑conditioning units. It also ended a forest‑land lease, rezoned two parcels to agricultural‑forestry, and granted interim use permits for a short‑term rental and a cannabis microbusiness. Additional approvals included timber auction dates and several road‑construction projects.

Tue Aug 12, 2025

County Board of Commissioners

County board to approve payments, hire staff, and consider courthouse A/C bids

The Koochiching County Board will approve financial payments, hire temporary staff, and consider contracts for jail medical services and a new courthouse air conditioning system. The meeting also includes the appointment of a Board of Adjustment member and a public comment period.

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✓ Decided: Board approved mail ballot voting for all unorganized territory precincts

The board adopted a resolution authorizing mail‑ballot voting in all unorganized‑territory precincts, effective immediately. It also approved several contracts and appointments, including a tobacco license for Thunderbird Lodge, a new insurance plan with MetLife, and the renewal of the Rainy Lake Medical Center jail medical services contract. Additional actions included designating surplus equipment for disposal and authorizing bids for two city trucks.

Tue Jul 22, 2025

County Board of Commissioners

✓ Decided: Board approved support for North Koochiching School District petition

The County Board voted to support the petition to separate ISD 363 into North and South Koochiching districts and to make it a 2026 legislative priority. It also approved several financial and operational items, including large courthouse and highway claims, a draft ATV trail plan, a bonding request for Phase II trail construction, a fireworks permit, and the appointment of three citizens to the Budget Committee.

Tue Jul 8, 2025

County Board of Commissioners

✓ Decided: Board ratified several labor contracts and set County Attorney salary

The commissioners unanimously ratified contract settlements with AFSCME 65 Public Health and Human Services, Local 49 Highway and Environmental Services, and AFSCME 65 Courthouse Chapter for 2025‑2027. They also approved the County Attorney’s wage package, setting the 2025 salary at $130,562. Additional actions included allocating 25% of Great Northern Transmission Line revenue, adopting a resolution to request FY 2026 IRRRB funding, and approving various payments and a liquor license.

Tue Jun 24, 2025

County Board of Commissioners

✓ Decided: Board approved permanent quarry permit and several service contracts

The Koochiching County Board unanimously approved a permanent conditional use permit for Mark Sand & Gravel Co., allowing a portable hot‑mix bituminous plant at the county quarry. The board also approved multiple service agreements, employment separations, a liquor license, and a wildlife‑damage management agreement. All motions were carried with a 5‑yes vote.

Tue Jun 17, 2025

County Board of Commissioners

✓ Decided: Board approved $12,461.34 State Airports Fund grant for new airport plow truck

The Koochiching County Board approved a State Airports Fund Equipment Grant Agreement to purchase a new plow truck for the airport, with the county’s share of $12,461.34. It also adopted a resolution to execute a MnDOT grant for air‑service marketing ($4,655.36) and authorized the Environmental Services Director to sign a Letter of Map Revision for the Rainy River. Additional approvals included purchases of inventory supplies ($13,000) and three Panasonic Toughbook computers ($11,517.00), and the separation of an Accounting Technician II.

Tue Jun 10, 2025

County Board of Commissioners

✓ Decided: County adopts cannabis ordinance and fee schedule

The board approved the Koochiching County Cannabis Ordinance, registration application, and fee schedule. It also set 2025 salaries for elected officials and adopted wage and benefits packages for non‑union salaried and hourly employees. Additional actions approved included appointing UOCAVA ballot board members, thanking the Northern Waters Land Trust for a land acquisition, authorizing cleanup of tax‑forfeited properties, accepting a resignation from the Board of Adjustment, and paying Wagner Construction for the Rainy Lake RV sanitary‑sewer project.

Tue May 27, 2025

County Board of Commissioners

✓ Decided: Board approves 1,619‑acre DNR land acquisition

The Koochiching County Board unanimously approved the State DNR’s proposed purchase of 1,619 acres of forest land. It also approved several financial items, including $108,259.80 in Courthouse claims, a $100 donation to the Sheriff’s DARE fund, and the transfer of $890,221.87 from the Municipal Construction Fund to the Regular Construction Fund. Additional actions included hiring a transfer‑station operator, purchasing a printer, and authorizing funds for a new maintenance shop in Mizpah.

Tue May 13, 2025

County Board of Commissioners

✓ Decided: Board approves public hearing on Cannabis Ordinance for June 10

The County Board approved publishing and holding a public hearing on the proposed Cannabis Ordinance on June 10, 2025. It also adopted a letter opposing the State’s proposed SFIA funding cuts and authorized a rail‑crossing agreement with Wisconsin Central. Additional actions included proclamations for Treatment Court Month and Men’s Health Month, and authorizations for highway and sewer projects.

Tue Apr 22, 2025

County Board of Commissioners

✓ Decided: Board approved $2.6M highway contract with KGM Contractors

The board approved a $2,617,444.15 highway contract with KGM Contractors for multiple projects and authorized the chair, auditor/treasurer and county attorney to sign. It also approved smaller highway contracts of $208,088.24 to Lot Pros Inc., $70,911.72 to Sir Lines A Lot, and $51,411.72 to Hawkinson Construction. Additional actions included a $6,650 property tax abatement, an MOU to support mental‑health services, and an agreement to fund an aquatic invasive species inspection program.

Tue Apr 8, 2025

County Board of Commissioners

✓ Decided: County Board approves $56,463 dispatch console purchase for jail addition

The board unanimously approved a $56,463.40 sales agreement to buy dispatch consoles for the County Jail addition and renovation. It also approved the Dark Sky Week proclamation, a $7,898 DNR boat grant, and a paid‑family‑medical‑leave benefits RFP. Additional actions included an off‑site gambling permit for Ranier Recreation Club and a letter opposing the Governor’s proposed PILT cut. A motion to donate gravel failed because no second was offered.

Tue Mar 25, 2025

County Board of Commissioners

✓ Decided: County Board approves state airport grant and moves cannabis ordinance forward

The board approved a Minnesota DOT grant of $29,879.64 for Falls International Airport terminal improvements and adopted draft cannabis storage language, setting a public hearing for April 22. It also approved furniture purchases for the jail renovation, a design‑build contract for a new maintenance garage, and authorized access‑control fob systems for courthouse security. Additionally, the board denied a solid‑waste fee abatement request and sent a letter opposing a proposed 30% SFIA payment reduction.