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Beltrami County renews 2026 legislative lobbying contract amid support for bonding priorities
Summary
The board approved a $30,000 legislative lobbying contract for 2026 to maintain continuity and pursue county priorities in a bonding year; the measure passed 4-1 after discussion about the contract's return on investment.
Beltrami County commissioners approved a 2026 legislative lobbying contract, discussed in the packet at $30,000, to support the county’s policy and bonding priorities in the upcoming legislative session.
Commissioner Gould moved approval and supporters said that prior lobbying had helped recoup funds and that having a lobbyist in St. Paul during a bonding year is important to press county-specific projects. Some commissioners, including the chair and Commissioner Sumner earlier, expressed concern about spending $30,000 but ultimately voted to continue the contract to preserve relationships and responsiveness to legislators.
The board approved the contract on a 4-1 vote (Commissioner Sumner opposed). Staff will continue to coordinate with the contractor to pursue the county’s bonding and policy priorities, and will report results back to the board.
