Board reaffirms Long Prairie Hockey Association lease with 2% annual escalation

Todd County commissioners on Sept. 16 reaffirmed a lease agreement with the Long Prairie Hockey Association (LPHA) for use of the Expo Building for the 2025–26 hockey season and continued the county’s 2% annual lease escalation policy.

Administration presented the agreement and noted the prior lease included language allowing rent to be redetermined with annual incremental increases; Todd County and other lessees (Region 5, Hands of Hope, and the Long Prairie Hockey Association) follow a 2% annual escalation approved by the finance committee. Administration said the LPHA’s current total lease payment for the season will be $28,143.24 with an initial payment component of $4,500 and monthly payments due first of each month; utilities above the budgeted amount are billed to the association.

Discussion and decision: Commissioners asked whether a 2% escalation keeps the county in line with rising costs; administration said the county had not re‑analyzed operations this year and that the 2% increase is set by current finance policy and can be reanalyzed at renegotiation. With a motion to reaffirm the lease and a second, the board voted to reaffirm the LPHA lease agreement with the presented terms and conditions.

Limitations and next steps: The board reaffirmed the terms as presented; staff may revisit rental rates at contract renegotiation or after additional financial analysis if commissioners request a change.