County approves land swap with Holmvig family to expand landfill buffer

The Crow Wing County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 25 approved a land exchange with Bradley and Jane Holmvig that will swap roughly 88.25 acres owned by the Holmvigs (including about 40 acres previously used as a gravel pit) for about 88.64 acres of county tax‑forfeited land in Bay Lake Township. Land services said the tax‑forfeited parcel was valued at approximately $359,200 and the Holmvig tract at about $377,100; the appraisals included timber value.

Tom, a land services staff member, said the long-term intent is to create a compatible-use buffer around the county landfill and that the Holmvigs will be required to reclaim the existing gravel pit per their conditional use permit. "This is a 1 for 1 swap," Tom said, and staff said no money will change hands.

Commissioners discussed past opportunities to acquire adjacent parcels and concerns about whether the county had other parcels suitable for a swap. Gary Griffin (land services) said county staff believe due diligence was done and that Holmvig has agreed to reclamation and future tree planting, and noted Minnesota Power easement revenue may offset some property‑value impacts where a transmission line crosses the parcel.

The board voted on a resolution to authorize the land exchange; the motion passed on roll call with four ayes and one no (the dissenting vote questioned whether the swap was the most equitable option). Staff noted the exchange carries no additional county cost to complete the transfer and will advance landfill buffering objectives.