Hubbard County schedules March land auction, seeks bids for Deep Lake Park work

Hubbard County commissioners on a regular meeting approved terms for a tax-forfeited land auction and set a March 27, 2026, in-person sale in the county boardroom.

Corey, Natural Resources, told the board "a land auction on 03/27/2026 at 01:00 here in the boardroom. There's 13 parcels that will be, offered." He said the parcels had been designated non-conservation, included many small lots adjacent to lakes or inside municipal limits, and that appraised values were obtained from the county assessor "like we're bound to do by Minnesota statute." The board voted to appoint the land commissioner to hold the auction and sell to the highest bidder; the motion carried by voice vote.

Commissioners asked whether some lakeshore parcels were buildable and whether buyers would need variances. Corey advised prospective purchasers to "do their homework" and said some parcels likely could be built on but many would be sold "as is"; lake access or adjacent-owner access was the common practical route for parcels without road frontage.

Corey also told the board there are roughly 30 similar parcels the county will progressively offer and said one auction (the prior blowdown timber sales) had performed adequately though timber prices were currently depressed.

Separately, Corey outlined upcoming procurement for Deep Lake Park: requests for proposals for parking lot, road and utility work and an alternate picnic shelter package will be posted, with bids due February 7 and responses returned by February 27 to be brought before the board at its March 3 meeting. He said septic installation is expected to be part of a phase 2 plan and that a conditional use permit may be required for some park work; phase 2 items such as campgrounds, septic and trail development will depend on available grant funding.

The board's action was procedural: it set the auction date and authorized county staff to proceed with the advertised sale and to seek bids for park improvements. The county did not adopt additional policy changes during the discussion and directed staff to continue grant scoping and procurement steps.

The land auction is scheduled for March 27, 2026; finalized parcel listings, appraisals and sale procedures will be published by county staff prior to the sale.