Commissioners approve $30,000 match to pursue Northland Arboretum land acquisition after heated debate

Crow Wing County commissioners voted July 14 to provide a one‑time, non‑precedent match of up to $30,000 to support a grant application seeking to acquire 115.9 acres for the Northland Arboretum.

County staff explained the county would own the acquired land and lease it to the Arboretum under a long‑term special‑use deed if the grant is awarded. "The County would be the owner of the land... and a special use deed would be assigned to the arboretum to utilize it for recreational purposes for 100 years," the county administrator said.

Trevor Pumnia, representing the Arboretum, told the board the organization is member‑driven and charges modest day‑use fees ($5 for veterans/seniors/children; $10 standard adult) and that membership and a City of Brainerd levy account for a portion of operations. "We are one of the most affordable arboretums in the region," he said.

Several commissioners supported the match as a low, one‑time (5%) county contribution that strengthens a multi‑jurisdictional grant application; others objected that levy dollars or taxpayer support should not subsidize an amenity with day‑use fees and membership structures. An amendment to add $100,000 to St. Mathias Parks failed; the board then approved the original $30,000 match and the intent to pursue acquisition if the state grant is awarded.

What happens next: if the Arboretum's grant application is successful, county staff will use up to $30,000 from easement receipts as the countymatch; if the grant is denied, no county funds will be committed.