Pine County board reaffirms plan to classify 200-acre Wilma Township parcel as nonconservation and sell it

The Pine County Board of Commissioners on Friday held a public hearing and voted to reaffirm Resolution 2025-14, authorizing reclassification of a 200‑acre tax‑forfeit parcel in Wilma Township as nonconservation and the county’s intent to sell the property at public auction.

County Auditor‑Treasurer Kelly Schroeder explained the proposal and the tax‑forfeit management process. “We are here for a public hearing for some tax forfeit lands that the county was intending to reclassify as nonconservation,” Schroeder said, and she emphasized the board’s distinction between pre‑June 2016 forfeitures (managed under older statutes) and later forfeitures subject to state settlement and newer rules.

The reaffirmed action starts a sale process for a parcel that forfeited in 1938 and that county staff proposed splitting into three lots — about 40 acres, 100 acres and 60 acres — so each would have buildable spots and access. Schroeder said the county receives a payment in lieu of taxes of $2 per acre on forfeited land, with 10% of that (20¢ per acre) forwarded to the city or township and $1.80 retained by the county.

Wilma Township residents opposed the sale at the public hearing. “This goes back about 15 years or so on this land,” Mike McCallum, chairman of Wilmette Township, told the board. “Now this 200 acres is gonna be sold to 3 people. ... It’s gone. They can’t use it no more.” McCallum said the parcel contains traditional local uses such as blueberry patches and informal camping and warned of future conflicts between private owners and hunters.

Commissioners discussed options before the vote: reaffirm the March classification and proceed toward auction, or withdraw the parcel from the reclassification and sale listing. County staff noted that, even if sold, Wilma Township would still contain more than 1,286 acres dedicated as Memorial Forest and that converting the parcel to nonconservation followed the land committee’s recommendation.

A motion to reaffirm the resolution was made by Commissioner Ludwig and seconded by Commissioner Nelson; the board carried the motion by voice vote. The motion record shows a voice vote with ayes called and no recorded roll‑call in the public transcript.

The county described how it manages forfeited lands for multiple purposes — sustainable forestry, timber sales, recreation and selective sales or exchanges — and said sales commonly occur at public auction when the statutory repurchase period has elapsed or when resource value has been harvested. Schroeder said some small, nonconforming lots are instead offered by sealed bid to adjoining landowners to reduce cycles of forfeiture and resale.

What happens next: staff said the parcel would typically return to the board in August for final sale approval if the board keeps it on the listing. Residents were told the memorial forest designation is reversible only by board action and public comment.

Clarifying details discussed at the hearing included the parcel’s 1938 forfeiture date, its proposed 40/100/60‑acre subdivision to ensure buildable lots and Duncan Road as the western border. Schroeder clarified the county’s pilt payments and the statutory process for notifying cities or townships and holding a hearing when reclassifying lands.

Commissioners and staff encouraged Wilma Township officials to discuss local land‑use tools (such as township zoning) if their concern is fragmentation into small lots; McCallum said Wilma Township currently lacks township zoning.