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Kandiyohi County names West Central Tribune official newspaper for 2026 after rival bids
Summary
After hearing bids and testimony from both publishers, the Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners voted to appoint the West Central Tribune as the county's official paper for legal notices in 2026; commissioners also debated whether to fund both local papers on an alternating basis.
The Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners voted Jan. 6 to appoint the West Central Tribune as the county’s official newspaper for 2026, concluding a public exchange over competing bids from two local publishers.
County Auditor-Treasurer Lisa Weese presented two sealed bids the board received in December for publishing required legal notices — including annual financial statements, delinquent tax lists and public works bids. Weese told the board the Lakes Area Review offered lower unit advertising rates while the West Central Tribune’s bid included a higher first-print rate but cheaper duplicate-print rates; she estimated a difference of $4,358.94 in 2025 printing costs between the two at 2025 volumes.
Publishers from both papers addressed the board. Ted Olmane, publisher of the Lakes Area Review, said his paper plans to publish legal notices online for free and urged the board to consider using both newspapers to broaden countywide access. “We do plan on putting all the legal notices on there for free so anybody can see them,” Olmane said. Kelly Bolden, editor and site manager at the West Central Tribune, said the Tribune provides wide coverage and a free online reminder for non‑subscribers and asked the board to support the Tribune’s bid.
Commissioners debated statutory requirements and practical tradeoffs: some members favored the lower bid and alternating the official designation over time to support two local papers; others emphasized the West Central Tribune’s regional reach and continuity with recent years. County staff noted the statutory requirement to publish certain financial statements in two county newspapers annually, which can be handled through a separate secondary designation if the board chooses to add one.
After discussion the board moved, seconded and approved the resolution appointing the West Central Tribune as Kandiyohi County’s official newspaper for 2026.
The decision settles the county’s legal‑notice contract for the year; board members who supported alternating or dual-paper arrangements said they would pursue ways to preserve local coverage in future budget discussions.
