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Koochiching County board approves routine business, election grant and a property repurchase; accepts public-health personnel separation
Summary
The board approved routine agenda items, accepted a $586 Secretary of State election-security grant for signage and a new dropbox, approved repurchase of a tax-forfeited parcel for $2,851, and accepted the involuntary separation of a public health nurse; most votes were unanimous.
At its Jan. 27 meeting Koochiching County commissioners handled routine business items and several standalone actions, including accepting a small elections grant, approving payment of membership dues, approving a repurchase of tax-forfeited property and accepting a personnel separation.
The board approved the meeting agenda and minutes from Jan. 13 by voice vote, and approved courthouse, highway and public-health claims. Clerk read a list of 2026 membership dues that the board approved; the clerk itemized organizations and amounts (examples: AMC General $11,759; Minnesota regional counties $2,300; NACO $450) and discussed joint-powers fees and other line items.
Human-resources staff asked the board to accept the involuntary separation of Stephanie Haplett, a public health nurse, effective Jan. 12, and to authorize posting to fill the vacancy; the board thanked Haplett for her service and approved the action.
Elections official Joan reported a prorated election-security grant from the Minnesota Secretary of State. “We ended up with $586,” she said; she proposed using the funds for signage and a secure ballot Dropbox and noted a new camera and dropbox are already recently installed. The board voted to accept the grant and authorized the auditor to sign the grant agreement.
County staff explained the tax-forfeiture repurchase process and presented an applicant who paid delinquent taxes and penalties; the board approved repurchase of a parcel for $2,851 (legal description: East 18 feet 3 inches of Lot 19, Block 1919, International Falls).
Votes at a glance: - Agenda approval: passed 5-0. - Minutes (01/13/2026): passed 5-0. - Courthouse/highway/public health claims: passed 5-0. - 2026 membership dues: approved; vote recorded as unanimous. - Involuntary separation (Stephanie Haplett) and authorization to post: approved (motion passed 5-0). - Acceptance of Secretary of State election-security grant ($586) and auditor signature authorization: approved 5-0. - Repurchase of tax-forfeited property: approved (repurchase payment $2,851); board recorded unanimous vote.
The meeting closed with an announcement of the next board meeting on Feb. 10, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. at the Little Port Community Building. No public comments were offered during the public-comment period.
