Carlton County approves $10.6M in June claims, accepts grants
The Carlton County Board of Commissioners on July 27 approved $10,646,655.21 in June claims and accepted two grants, among other actions. All votes were unanimous unless noted.
County board actions
The board approved the consent agenda, which included the June claims, a $10,000 child care grant from the Northland Foundation, and a $98,595 State Homeland Security Program grant. It also approved a $98,595 service contract with Paramount Planning Group for AREMA Region 2.
In other business, the board:
- Adopted resolution 26-050 accepting a completed road project and authorizing a $3,214.96 final payment to Landwehr Construction.
- Approved the Technology Acceptable Use and Information Security Risk Management Policy.
- Approved a letter to Enbridge and the Minnesota Department of Revenue regarding pipeline valuations.
- Adopted resolution 26-051 requesting state revenue sharing for deputy registrars.
- Approved a $237,701.50 change order for Historic Courthouse roofing. Commissioner Plante Buhs abstained.
Joint session on land use plan
On Aug. 5, the board held a special joint session with the Planning Commission to receive a presentation from Houseal Lavigne on the draft vision statement, goals, and preliminary land use plan for the Carlton County 2050 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. No formal decisions were made on the plan; the board only approved the agenda and adjourned.
Planning Commission hearings
The Planning Commission met Aug. 5 with public hearings scheduled for two conditional/interim use permits: CUP-2026-010 (VETCON LLC) and CUP-2026-011 (Thomas & Amanda Paull). Minutes from the July 1 meeting were also reviewed. No decisions were recorded.
Committee of the Whole
On Aug. 4, the Committee of the Whole heard budget presentations from the Sheriff's Office, Recorder, and EMS, along with updates on economic development, transportation, and a land-use plan. The meeting was procedural with no formal decisions.
Coming up
The County Board of Commissioners will hold its regular session Aug. 11. The agenda includes a conditional use permit for VETCON LLC to operate a gym at 4334 Old County Road 8 in Moose Lake (R-1 zoning, Shoreland Overlay), the sale of 20 Remington 870 shotguns to Streichers Police Equipment for $3,000 trade credit toward 40mm less-lethal launchers (quote $26,013.00), an agreement with MnDOT (Agreement 1063521), approval of the Engagement Arrangement Cost Allocation Plan 2026-2030, and July claims over $2,000 totaling $18,204,665.22.
The Board of Adjustment and Appeals will hold public hearings Aug. 18 on three variance requests: VAR-2026-013 (Brandon Small), VAR-2026-014 (Joel Dostert), and VAR-2026-015 (Minnesota Power).