Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Government topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Koochiching County commissioners approve May payments, payroll and multiple operational actions
Summary
At its June 9 meeting the Koochiching County Board of Commissioners approved May payment and payroll listings totaling about $6.7 million, accepted a $6,772 DNR boat-and-water grant, authorized vehicle bid solicitations for Public Health and Human Services, approved a JET training reimbursement contract and completed routine personnel notices.
The Koochiching County Board of Commissioners met Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in the County Board Room and approved a series of routine fiscal and operational items, including the May summarized payment listing of $4,506,068.59 and May payroll/ACH payments totaling $2,237,294.15.
The board voted to approve the May summarized payment listing on a motion by Commissioner McIntyre, seconded by Commissioner Sjoblom; the minutes list voting yes as Commissioners Sjoblom, Roche and Erickson, and note the motion carried. The board later approved payroll and ACH payments of $2,237,294.15 on a motion by Commissioner Sjoblom, seconded by Commissioner McIntyre; the minutes again list Sjoblom, Roche and Erickson as voting yes and record the motion as carried.
The board also approved Courthouse claims of $39,650.23 and Highway claims of $431,282.96 on a motion by Commissioner Sjoblom, seconded by Commissioner Erickson. Separately, the board accepted a 2026 DNR Boat and Water grant in the amount of $6,772.00 on a motion by Commissioner McIntyre, seconded by Commissioner Sjoblom; the minutes record the motion as carried.
Personnel items recorded in the minutes included notice of hire for Pamela Jensen as a non-permanent part‑time E911 Dispatcher/Corrections Officer, effective June 1, 2026, and notice of promotion of Shane Thramer from part‑time Sheriff Deputy to full‑time Sheriff Deputy, effective June 5, 2026. The board approved a JET (on‑the‑job training) reimbursement contract for Pamela Jensen, authorizing reimbursement to the County of up to 75% of her training wages; that motion (moved by McIntyre, seconded by Erickson) is recorded as carried.
On operational matters, the board authorized publication and recruitment of Citizen Budget Committee members to fill Districts 1 and 4 for three‑year terms. The board also authorized the Facilities Manager to seek bids for a replacement SUV for Public Health and Human Services (vehicle 192, which was totaled in an accident) and to solicit bids to repair vehicle 114 (a Chrysler 200 Touring). Those actions were approved on a motion by Commissioner Sjoblom, seconded by Commissioner Erickson and recorded as carried.
During a round‑table of committee updates, Commissioner Erickson said a Conservation/Conservation (Con Con) Committee meeting included a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Fisheries presentation on sturgeon and walleye studies. Commissioner Sjoblom reported that the Soil and Water Board is finalizing priority rankings and that the Regional Library Director is meeting with the City of Grand Rapids and Itasca County about reduced funding affecting the regional library system. Commissioner Roche reported that the Koochiching Economic Development Authority (KEDA) has interviewed three candidates for the vacant director position and expects to make an offer in the coming weeks. Voyageur’s National Park Joint Powers Clean Water Board is preparing letters supporting state clean‑water funding, the minutes say.
Board Chair Roche called for public comment and none was heard. The board adjourned at 9:59 a.m. on a motion by Commissioner Sjoblom, seconded by Commissioner McIntyre; the minutes record voting yes as Sjoblom, Roche, McIntyre and Erickson and the motion carried.
The actions approved are routine operational and fiscal measures; the board did not take controversial or contested actions at this meeting.
