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Pine County approves three‑year official newspaper bid at 2024 rate
Summary
The board accepted a three‑year joint bid from the Pine City Pioneer/North Pine County News to serve as Pine County's official newspaper for 2025–2027 at the same rate as 2024; staff noted statutory protections for rates and circulation requirements.
County staff presented the annual bid for the county's official publication and explained that statute permits a designation for up to three years; the Pine City Pioneer and North Pine County News submitted a joint three‑year bid at the same rate as 2024.
"Again, the law changed a few years ago where you can make that designation for up to 3 years," staff said while outlining the options. Commissioners discussed the limited local competition and the statutory protections that prevent a publisher from charging more than the lowest commercial rate if the publisher lowers rates in the future.
After discussion about market competition and the benefits of price stability, a commissioner moved to accept the three‑year option; the motion was seconded and passed by roll call. Staff noted that if a new qualifying newspaper were to enter circulation, statutory protections and lowest-rate rules would apply.
