Lake of the Woods County Board Commissioners Proceedings for June 16, 2026

                                                             COMMISSIONER PROCEEDINGS

The Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at the Angle Inlet School, Angle Inlet, MN. 

Chair Joe Grund called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited with the following members present: Commissioners: Cody Hasbargen, Joe Grund, Jon Waibel, and Ed Arnesen. Also present was County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson. Absent were Commissioner: Buck Nordlof.

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following changes: Add: Correspondence and Southside Ambulance.

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to close the regular meeting and re-open the 2026 Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting at 10:05 a.m. at the Northwest Angle with the following members present: Commissioners: Joe Grund, Cody Hasbargen, Ed Arnesen, Jon Waibel, and County Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson. Also present were: County Assessor Alisa Jacobsen, Appraisers Tyler Swanson and Kristi Roth. Absent were Commissioners: Buck Nordlof.

It was noted that County Recorder Sue Ney swore in the members of the Lake of the Woods County Board of Appeal and Equalization for 2026 at the meeting on June 9, 2026.

Chair Joe Grund explained the purpose of the Board of Appeal and Equalization. He reminded the public that this meeting was only to hear appeals of the estimated market value (EMV) or classification, not for taxes or prior years’ assessments. He explained that all appeals would be heard before any action would be taken. He also explained that the valuation period the Assessor’s Office use is from sales during October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025. There was no further discussion.

After hearing all the appeals, questions, comments and research reviewed, the following actions were taken:

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel  and carried unanimously to make no changes to values on the following properties: David Marhula (P#24.29.22.010); Sandra Johnson (P#61.54.07.130); Mark Chapman (P#60.02.23.027); Greg Ledo (P#24.20.31.011); Randy Lilly (P#02.57.01.080).

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to accept the Lake of the Woods County Assessor’s recommendation to decrease the value on the following property: Virginia Melvie property owner Baudette Township, Parcel ID 24.61.01.190, decrease in total building value from $242,100.00 to $228,100.00 due to corrected condition.

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to accept the Lake of the Woods County Assessor’s recommendation to decrease the value on the following property: Brenda Dorow property owner Potamo Township, Parcel ID 28.13.24.000, decrease in total land value from $44,000.00 to $35,200.00 due to corrected land calculation.

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to accept the Lake of the Woods County Assessor’s recommendation to decrease the value on the following property: Brenda Dorow property owner Potamo Township, Parcel ID 28.13.21.010, decrease in total land value from $64,900.00 to $54,000.00 due to corrected land calculation.

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to accept the Lake of the Woods County Assessor’s recommendation to decrease the value on the following property: Brenda Dorow property owner Potamo Township, Parcel ID 28.14.11.000, decrease in total land value from $42,600.00 to $37,400.00 due to corrected land calculation.

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to accept the Lake of the Woods County Assessor’s recommendation to decrease the value on the following property: Brenda Dorow property owner Potamo Township, Parcel ID 22.36.43.000, decrease in total land value from $51,900.00 to $43,200.00 due to corrected land calculation.

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to accept the Lake of the Woods County Assessor’s recommendation to decrease the value on the following property: Kevin Dorow property owner Myhre Township, Parcel ID 21.24.44.000, decrease in total building value from $254,500.00 to $249,800.00 due to building value being too high.

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to decrease the value on the following property: Eugene Mollberg property owner Wabanica Township, Parcel ID 23.15.11.000, decrease in estimated market value from $304,300.00 to $275,000.00 due to the building value being too high.

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to decrease the value on the following property: Edward Hanson property owner City of Baudette, Parcel ID 61.53.01.010, decrease in total land value from $8,400.00 to $1,000.00 due to the land value being too high.

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to decrease the value on the following property: Greg Ledo property owner Baudette Township, Parcel ID 24.61.01.010, decrease in total land value from $163,300.00 to $112,200.00 due to the land value being too high.

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to decrease the value on the following property: John Clifton property owner Wheeler Township, Parcel ID 19.21.12.000, decrease in total land value from $61,100.00 to $30,600.00 due to the land value being too high.

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to decrease the value on the following property: Mark Chapman property owner City of Baudette, Parcel ID 61.50.13.150, decrease in total building value from $9,100.00 to $5,000.00 due to the building value being too high.

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to close the public hearing and open the regular meeting.

Joe Laurin gave an update on the ongoing Northerly Park project. Joe gave an update on NW MN Foundation setting up a fund for donations. Joe continued to update the board on the local radio station and upcoming events.

Joe Laurin reviewed various snowmobile trail projects.

Mike Hirst joined by phone and reviewed water levels on Lake of the Woods.

Sergeant Ben Duick gave a update on the State and Federal Boat and Water Safety Grants. He also discussed the progress on the Safe Boat.

County Engineer Anthony Pirkl gave an update on various Highway and Solid Waste Projects. He also stated the Calcium Chloride applications would be starting the first part of July, 2026.

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the bid by Huot for the Graceton facility for the amount of $1,588,403.68 to be completed by December 30, 2028.

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to set a work session IT to follow regular board meeting June 23, 2026.

Discussed letter of thanks from MN Geospatial Information Office

Discussion on delays in answering the ambulance calls and volunteer ambulance staffing shortage. 

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously by roll call to adjourn the meeting at 12:00 p.m.

Attest:                                                                         June 23, 2026

 

______________________________                        _________________________________

County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson                Chair Joe Grund