[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6663643,"mediaKeyId","2389393-8f4195c141735ceb19e772567571c21e","parentId",2389393,"title","Votes at a glance: Koochiching County Board actions on Feb. 25, 2025","audioSeconds",429,"startMs",3382000,"endMs",3811000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2389393-8f4195c141735ceb19e772567571c21e&start=3382&end=3811","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2389393-8f4195c141735ceb19e772567571c21e/thumbnail_3382000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6663643/Minnesota/Votes-at-a-glance-Koochiching-County-Board-actions-on-Feb-25-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663643-0db4d30785646e992a39382e4589ca91/orig.mp4?Expires=1776039284&Signature=WQRwMvy-7CqSC42NsOOiBJlZ2C3wRdrmzojDzA5JEE4nXo7nWwB-jaqAJlZ39opWS3Pb0dPEBvX0z~ffF0MGtk~1HRAFRYp0fOVLyyWrxUx6F-XbeBNmqI5MO6igeSdaF3yL7QSXhhvsXjt9aq7vfuQrhySAuyQcEeaoaW2~iV1rRuiLKO5RIAGvMmh0huNdTlUL4T33Yu98Zr4dP1qAu3mH3FlYw1v9DKrjcrWA2S6Vuhj9ZI8PGzMjWxZwovMU8dkyDVmY9tWN4pFSmAD1pPWxMcAa-pLzRXWZ816EYyy6Hg-r6dURempv6IdTsd5lQNJDDuOZSoUXswNwSnMirg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Koochiching County","date","2025-02-25T22:32:28.977Z","article","At its Feb. 25 regular meeting, the Koochiching County Board of Commissioners approved a number of contracts, personnel actions and appointments. Below is a concise list of formal votes and outcomes recorded on the agenda.

Votes at a glance

- Mobile assessor cloud software: Approved entering into agreement with Wilpert, Inc. dba Data Cloud Solutions for $30,008.08; authorized use of recorder land project funds to pay the initial installment. (Motion passed; see separate article.)

- Public health educator position: Approved creation and recruitment of a grant-funded public health educator position (100% state grant-funded). Motion passed unanimously.

- Reopen recruitment for appraiser: Approved reopening the appraiser recruitment to expand candidate pool and re-contact previous applicants. Motion passed unanimously.

- Letter of support for local butcher/processing facility: Authorized staff to draft a letter of support for Robert Christiansen's butcher shop project; draft to return to board for approval. Motion approved unanimously.

- Portasan annex roof replacement contracts: Awarded contracts for roofing and electrical scopes to Nelson Roofing ($329,317) and Cantra Electric ($15,300); rejected site-work bids. Motion approved (majority vote; one nay recorded). Total approved for scopes 2 and 3: $344,006.17.

- Purchase of department vehicle (Unit 99 replacement): Approved purchase from local dealership (Falls CDJR) for $41,082 with $4,000 trade-in credit (net $37,082). Motion passed.

- Mobile assessor iPads and project funding: Board confirmed prior project authorization included iPads; the overall RPA totals were discussed and the contract signature approved.

- Trust fund reserves and distributions: Set park reserves at $40,000 and timber development reserves at $150,000; approved formula allocations and distributions to cities, school districts and townships per statute. Motion passed.

- Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG): Approved and signed the EMPG agreement to seek reimbursement for work performed in the 2023 performance period. Motion passed.

- Voided/unclaimed checks cleanup: Approved voiding and closing of several old uncashed checks; staff to continue quarterly cleanup. Motion passed.

- Reappointments and committee appointments: Reappointed Don Billig and Jeff Clough to the East Koochiching Sanitary District board (four-year terms). Appointed Bruce Durbin to the Solid Waste Advisory Committee and Steve Hendrickson to the Planning & Zoning Commission per planning commission recommendations. Motions passed.

- Interim use permits / short-term rental licenses: Approved interim use permits for two shoreland properties to allow short-term rental licensing (Roelken family property at 3089 County Road 125 and the Cochran Family Investment Partnership property at 2567 County Road 103). Both motions passed; notes on 750-foot proximity rule included by staff.

Procedure notes

Most motions passed unanimously; where a nay was recorded during the roof contract discussion, the board still approved awarding contracts for the roofing and electrical work while rejecting the site work bids. Several actions were grant- or fee-funded; in multiple cases staff clarified that no county levy dollars were requested.

The board instructed staff to return details or drafts where necessary (sample letter of support for the butcher shop; recruitment updates for the assessor position; and implementation steps for the mobile assessor project).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Koochiching County Board 022525","oneSentenceSummary","A compact roundup of formal motions the board approved on Feb. 25, including contracts, personnel, appointments, land-project funding, roof and vehicle purchases, interim-use permits for short-term rentals and other administrative items.","taxTitle","Koochiching, Minnesota","taxId",71435,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6663648,"County to draft letter supporting local butcher shop project seeking state and federal funding",604,272000,876000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2389393-8f4195c141735ceb19e772567571c21e&start=272&end=876","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2389393-8f4195c141735ceb19e772567571c21e/thumbnail_272000.jpg","/articles/6663648/Minnesota/County-to-draft-letter-supporting-local-butcher-shop-project-seeking-state-and-federal-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663648-5b2a0394e452f36706c34c148a9599ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1776039284&Signature=ZSf2S9QW0w6ffgC0DxJ3bsSzkBl1FdAxiwX~mJPGlIPsCTTIBzMzbhiM71mamF~y-a61qV73f8Pcb6PkAL2ynopQHKqzYqyUQ0EOrJ5iwsjoxUhcTKa6QJYVuMlcrcV2NCPoVAy-M5vgR6yTcgN-hVn6C0JSUyJOwPFFno4rRGOdjogNIYOcIash5TGqfa5Xtwl4CGwG6iBdrYPaEmmHyy3DxrJFqx7IqMjFxSlpqnNhG4fOdDpFradThq8grv3g5RIeDX2PEexPsKFSyTIaMYMUSQh-2ftHBfLW22TZhf~QCEiRhLZaw2b34HRjzpGKzqlLKLU5KTg2AfAeb~NR8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Koochiching County Board of Commissioners agreed to draft a letter of support for a proposed 4,000-square-foot USDA-inspected butcher and retail facility after a presentation from owner Robert (Bob) Christiansen.

Christiansen told the board local farmers must currently truck livestock long distances for slaughter and then return with large quantities of un-refrigerated product; his proposed facility would include a 20x40 walk-in freezer, a slaughter and processing room and retail space to allow farmers to have animals processed and stored locally.

\"We're already up to a million dollars in what we're gonna be investing in,\" Christiansen said, adding the business expects to hire four full-time employees and one part-time worker at the start. He said he was applying for federal and state grant programs and low-interest loans and asked the board for a letter demonstrating local need.

Commissioners asked for a draft that outlines local need and economic benefits; one commissioner moved to authorize staff to draft a general letter of support \"with the narrative of the need, first and foremost, and then the service has been provided in the area.\" The board unanimously approved drafting the letter and bringing it back for final review before sending it with Christiansen's application.

Christiansen said he hopes to break ground in spring/summer 2026 and that he needs letters by March to support grant applications. The county will prepare a draft for his review and, with his approval, place the finalized letter on a future meeting agenda.","A local business owner requested a county letter of support for a proposed USDA/inspected butcher and retail processing facility; commissioners voted to draft a letter emphasizing local need and economic benefits.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6663653,"Board reopens recruitment for county appraiser amid high parcel workload and mobile-assessor debate",1323,819000,2142000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2389393-8f4195c141735ceb19e772567571c21e&start=819&end=2142","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2389393-8f4195c141735ceb19e772567571c21e/thumbnail_819000.jpg","/articles/6663653/Minnesota/Board-reopens-recruitment-for-county-appraiser-amid-high-parcel-workload-and-mobile-assessor-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663653-5c37f1aed32c6cf111404e58ad982680/orig.mp4?Expires=1776039284&Signature=AChiT8k4j6u9472q9QgGAKuxDsJxF7u9ngPjvLqBm1pDiFvRdq85-cAv7ld2HyZ4znab6ctotE7xodu807YPgZoVhOWIQCCZ6B1pU3kYiIStPgFsz2uCQ7A-SUL-HKpA-~jgdFwwvF1OCofOwRiRceC1COfmtaio8jKoTYJp6NH77gNdJL-DQVEr6b3A-BQ7BO2rMPcP9rr~PzZbNBW~J6llOHIsjlYHJrQte4lchZkhOlZxFzUCVgZefIyjz6~aVGOnvdxXikWvC~wTqoto~ViyWkylgh4HXoPWHu1n701C-Hkz21dTLGNCmplOglEA4SOrJH3xNUbmRgYb7LvmyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Koochiching County commissioners agreed to reopen recruitment for an appraiser position after the assessor's office reported insufficient qualified applicants during an earlier hiring effort and presented state Department of Revenue data showing a high parcels-per-appraiser workload.

County appraiser staff told the board the county handles more than 55,000 parcels when taxable and exempt properties are combined and said that, with current staffing, each field appraiser would be responsible for well above the statewide average parcels per appraiser. The assessor's office said tax-exempt parcels (churches, schools, state land) must still be inspected and valued on the same standard as taxable parcels, which increases workload.

Commissioners asked whether new mobile assessor tools and contracting out commercial appraisals could reduce staffing needs. Appraiser staff replied the mobile system will increase efficiency and reduce duplicate trips but would not remove the need to hire another appraiser because of the county's parcel counts and the state-mandated five-year inspection rotation.

After discussion the board voted to reopen the recruitment and to ask HR to re-contact prior applicants and advertise again. Staff said entry-level applicants without licenses may be hired and then supported through the state-required licensure process; state rules require appraisers reach a licensed level within five years.

Commissioners also discussed contracting options and local-appraiser models; staff cautioned that other counties' experience with local appraisers has drawn Department of Revenue scrutiny when inspection and permit tracking fell short.

The motion to reopen recruitment passed unanimously; staff will restart outreach and report back on applicant numbers.","County officials approved reopening recruitment to hire an appraiser after low initial applicant response; assessor's office presented parcel load data showing high parcels per appraiser and said mobile tools will speed work but not replace the need for another appraiser.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6663657,"Board approves grant-funded public health educator position to expand prevention and preparedness programs",773,2485000,3258000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2389393-8f4195c141735ceb19e772567571c21e&start=2485&end=3258","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2389393-8f4195c141735ceb19e772567571c21e/thumbnail_2485000.jpg","/articles/6663657/Minnesota/Board-approves-grant-funded-public-health-educator-position-to-expand-prevention-and-preparedness-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663657-51ee6ffe46668de2f1f748978c4b3696/orig.mp4?Expires=1776039284&Signature=fZdiDkiRqTiWWX6nn9UX-jPnn7KqG-KmNR2WzcjIzBcHOOiGtT7gbDb2vHv3ZWKBWKdfwYPGsy297Il-7ryLFmtireXkE6Pismf~eBprkGH4I0caraxJpGQ4L1UHnF9iZc0uGVukIyUWdsrC9EvUouwuRNeuBpMSp9Bb--ifu7GWb7-76YFUNLcmhqGSxLmtQhb6-EIaSzIDM3zZxE9HoolP4iZtY36PgA5aaSoExgp0yiw3zdBMVhxmGnF4gAVQODq7W22WIzZm2g2sIza6V52gl9N2ZVeDA6IFpDUmFTKStN0B3uV9cp2gptMMM4gLQdI9HTA4Q9VVItBMLvu6dQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Koochiching County commissioners voted to add a grant-funded public health educator position to the public health team, citing new Minnesota Department of Health grants for emergency preparedness, cannabis education and prevention, and foundational public health responsibilities.

County health staff said the role is necessary to meet grant requirements and to build preventive programs for mental health, substance-use prevention and emergency preparedness. The position will be 100% grant-funded and will not use county levy dollars; county HR staff noted the position would be non-union and could be laid off if grant funding ceases.

\"If we didn't get this position, which is no county dollars, this work wouldn't be able to be completed in Koochiching County,\" a county health official told the board, adding the county could lose the new state funds otherwise. Staff also noted the position could serve as the county point for opioid settlement dollars and would include grant writing in the job description to help sustain the role.

Commissioners asked about liability, sustainability and whether the funds are ongoing; staff said the department expects the funding sources to return annually and emphasized the preventive work saves larger reactionary costs in human services and law enforcement.

The board approved the position by unanimous vote. Staff will proceed with recruitment and bring any additional budget or staffing changes to the board if grant funding changes.","Commissioners approved creation of a grant-funded public health educator position to implement new state grants for emergency preparedness, cannabis education/prevention and foundational public health responsibilities; position is 100% grant-funded and may be laid off if funding ends.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6663662,"Koochiching County approves mobile assessor software and funds purchase from recorder's land project account",134,2794000,2928000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2389393-8f4195c141735ceb19e772567571c21e&start=2794&end=2928","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2389393-8f4195c141735ceb19e772567571c21e/thumbnail_2794000.jpg","/articles/6663662/Minnesota/Koochiching-County-approves-mobile-assessor-software-and-funds-purchase-from-recorders-land-project-account","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663662-7d1a7e220958837412faa800a0ab3e46/orig.mp4?Expires=1776039284&Signature=hiOQyzijF5IGDR8mVzMqFBt6uA6obRJ7TT4HyT75vxZv7ItSGaW6gpJ~7KbttK2qz0wam8Xtmg6dJleljDCAFk5P6cWoztRPBO4lidUjK7I9LTRAbKvl6h7onZIvQdPhVPW3jCFQtiv8X4ITQz6pJZwOuWiWE~52I45iyX0RnhgRxG~zhmXjjrV5TdYDff2-sCM1xkzdIKvQKkdH4iY2IBy~IPz3eiQYLuR5hqleUS3Auo1D1g9PGLJJnNiWFUKYrRfQi24uu3~RDTEeS0Z9dH7eOgbhNfIybF3Z9A561vhhuQ0rN1jm6zr8zI6Q7t7j6HyVywuYrWWdiCxNIdKDHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Koochiching County commissioners voted to enter into a contract for a mobile assessor cloud software solution, approving a $30,008.08 initial contract and authorizing use of recorder office land project funds to pay for the purchase.

The board approved the contract to Wilpert, Inc., doing business as Data Cloud Solutions, for a mobile assessor \"CAMA Cloud\" subscription and implementation that the assessor's office said will let appraisers capture parcel photos, synchronize parcel data in the field and reduce duplicate trips.

County staff told commissioners the first installment includes an initial subscription fee that covers the remainder of 2025 prorated; ongoing annual subscription and mobile licensing fees will recur in future budgets. The board also confirmed that the separate purchase of iPads for field staff was already approved under a prior project authorization and will not be part of this contract amount.

\"That subscription fee is covered in that first installment,\" an administration staff member noted during discussion, referring to the vendor's contract language. Commissioners asked whether the first-year cost included the initial subscription; staff confirmed it did and explained the recurring annual fee would continue in later years.

The motion to approve entering the agreement specified the $30,008.08 contract amount and authorized using recorder land project funds per statute; the board voted to approve and signed the agreement so implementation work can begin and the vendor can schedule onboarding.

Commissioners framed the purchase as a tool to improve accuracy and reduce duplicate field work; county appraisers said the mobile system would not eliminate the need for additional staff because Koochiching County's parcel counts and inspection rotation require more field capacity.

The county plans to deploy the mobile system this year and will phase onboarding of field crews after signatures and vendor scheduling are complete.","County commissioners approved a $30,008 contract for a mobile assessor cloud solution and authorized use of recorder land project funds to pay for the initial subscription and implementation costs; annual subscription and device costs will continue in later years.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Koochiching County Board actions on Feb. 25, 2025

County to draft letter supporting local butcher shop project seeking state and federal funding

Board reopens recruitment for county appraiser amid high parcel workload and mobile-assessor debate

Board approves grant-funded public health educator position to expand prevention and preparedness programs

Koochiching County approves mobile assessor software and funds purchase from recorder's land project account