Hibbing council confirms 2026 appointments, banking designations and city attorney

The Hibbing City Council used its Jan. 7 reorganizational meeting to ratify a slate of annual appointments and administrative designations for 2026.

Mayor Pete Hajduk asked councillor Fossil to serve as acting mayor when the mayor is unable to perform duties; Fossil accepted and the council approved the designation by voice vote. The council also designated ‘Mesabi Veil News’ as the official newspaper for city business in 2026 and approved a list of depositories and safekeeping entities, including Park State Bank, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, Security State Bank and several investment services.

The council appointed Andy Borland of Selman Borland & Simon Law Offices as Hibbing’s city attorney for 2026. The body also set the mayor’s contingency fund at $5,000 “as set forth by state law,” which the mayor clarified applies to 2026.

Why it matters: These annual actions set the administrative framework and signatory authorities that allow the city to operate day-to-day, including which banks hold municipal deposits and who can represent the city in legal matters. The city attorney appointment ensures continuity for pending enforcement and ordinance matters.

Details: All reorganizational items were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote during the meeting’s procedural portion; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the public minutes. The council also confirmed representatives to multiple regional boards and commissions, including the Chisholm‑Hibbing Airport Authority and the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission, and approved routine staff and board appointments (deputy clerk, deputy treasurer) and employee bond levels for fiscal 2026.

What’s next: These designations take effect for 2026 and provide the administrative authority for forthcoming contracts, grant signings and enforcement actions discussed later in the meeting.