Pine County to meet with Mille Lacs Band Ojibwe on April 15 to review housing, economic development and law enforcement agreement

Pine County commissioners agreed to set aside time during their April 15 meeting to meet with representatives of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe to review mutual priorities, staff said. The board will recess for lunch and reconvene at 1 p.m. to hold the meeting with tribal officials, according to county staff.

County staff described the session as an opportunity to update newly seated commissioners and Mille Lacs Band leaders on ongoing projects and shared interests. Discussion topics suggested by commissioners and staff include housing, economic development, legislative priorities and review of the county's law enforcement agreement with the band.

Staff said they would follow up with tribal contact Sheena (name in the record) to arrange details and circulate a copy of the joint statement of principles previously adopted by the county so all commissioners have the background ahead of the April meeting.

The board did not take formal action at the meeting beyond directing staff to place the joint session on the April 15 agenda and to treat the April meeting recess as the formal means to hold the discussion with the band. Staff indicated the band representatives plan to attend in person if possible.

Why it matters: Regular government-to-government meetings allow the county and tribal governments to coordinate on shared issues such as housing, public safety agreements and economic development projects that cross jurisdictional lines. The board's decision was procedural; no policy changes were recorded at the meeting.