OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
PENNINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
JUSTICE CENTER BOARD ROOM
OCTOBER 28, 2025 – 10:00 A.M.
Pursuant to adjournment, the Pennington County Board of Commissioners met in the Pennington County Justice Center Board Room in Thief River Falls, MN, on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Members present: Seth Nelson, Bruce Lawrence, Roy Sourdif, David Sorenson, and Neil Peterson. Members absent: None.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Sourdif and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
The Chairman asked if there were any amendments to the agenda. The County Coordinator noted that County Assessor Carl Bruzek was added to the agenda at 10:50 a.m. Motioned by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to approve the agenda with the addition presented. Motion carried.
Recognition of Citizens: None.
Motioned by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, to approve the County Board minutes of October 14, 2025, as written. Motion carried.
Motioned by Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to approve the Human Services warrants totaling $265,044.47 and the following Commissioner warrants. Motion carried.
County Revenue $115,005.50
Road & Bridge $32,625.66
Solid Waste Facility $400.00
Ditch Funds $1,476.50
Julie Sjostrand – Human Services Director
Ms. Sjostrand presented the consent agenda from the October 21, 2025, Human Service Committee meeting. On a motion by Commissioner Peterson and seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, the following recommendations of the Pennington County Human Service Committee for October 21, 2025 (detailed minutes on record) are hereby adopted.
SECTION A
I. To approve the September 16, 2025, Human Service Committee meeting minutes.
II. To approve the Agency’s personnel action as presented.
III. A To approve the CY 2026 MFIP/DWP Employment Services Purchase of Service Agreement with the Career Force Center as presented.
B. To approve the CY 2026 ACS/SWS Support Services Agreement between Tri-Min Systems and Pennington County Human Services as presented.
SECTION B
I. To approve payment of the Agency’s bills.
Mike Flaagan – County Engineer
Mr. Flaagan stated that Schenkey, Inc. has completed the gravel crushing project and approximately 40k cubic yards was crushed. He recommended final payment and noted a total cost of $151,000. The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, and upon vote was unanimously carried.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Contract CP 57-25-06 (gravel crushing) has in all things been completed and the County Board being fully advised in the premises,
NOW THEN, BE IT RESOLVED, that we do hereby accept said completed project for and on behalf of the Pennington County Highway Dept. and authorize final payment therein.
Engineer Flaagan discussed an application to the LRIP for a 2027 project for CSAH #22 from CSAH #3 to the Marshall County line, whereas it will be improved from a 7-ton road to a 10-ton road. The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, and upon vote was unanimously carried.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the 2025 Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) appropriation of $47,000,000 in general obligation (GO) bonds is available for grant solicitation; and
WHEREAS, a maximum of $1,500,000 may be requested for a project; and
WHEREAS, the Farmers Co-op Grain and Seed Company built a new fertilizer facility along CSAH #22 and is planning to expand further by adding its main office and chemical sales at the new facility; and
WHEREAS, CSAH #22 is a 7-ton Major Collector that will see significant increase in traffic, including truck traffic; and
WHEREAS, Pennington County wishes to rehab CSAH #22 and increase its strength capacity to 10-ton to accommodate the heavier traffic.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Pennington County Board supports the application for the Local Road Improvement Program for the reconstruction of CSAH #22 from CSAH #3 to the Marshall County line.
Engineer Flaagan stated that Kratka Township is interested in the turnback of some county road miles to the township, and there are also some road miles in Cloverleaf Township as well. Motioned by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to hold a township meeting in Kratka Township on November 17, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. and in Cloverleaf Township at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the turnback of some road miles back to the respective townships. Motion carried.
Mr. Flaagan discussed the purchase of a new plow truck from Transwest and presented financing options for three, five, or seven years. Commissioner Lawrence suggested the seven-year option to secure the lowest interest rate. Motioned by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to approve the purchase of a 2026 Western Star truck with plow equipment from Transwest at a cost of $390,260.47 to be financed through Daimler Truck Financial Services USA LLC for seven years. Motion carried.
Bryanna Grefthen – Pennington County SWCD
Ms. Grefthen discussed the MPCA county feedlot delegation work plan for 2026/2027, noting if approved it will require Auditor-Treasurer signatures on the agreement and related permits. As the County Feedlot Officer, she discussed plan strategies, including registration, inspections, compliance strategy, owner assistance, communication, and delegated county minimum program requirements. Motioned by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to approve the 2026/2027 MPCA Pennington County Feedlot Program Delegation Agreement Work Plan as presented. Motion carried.
Larissa Fitzgerald – Pennington County SWCD
Ms. Fitzgerald discussed a wetland delineation for the proposed road improvement project on CR#62, noting that the project area mainly involves incidental wetlands constituting wet ditches. Motioned by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, to approve the wetland delineation for CR#62 as presented. Motion carried.
Carl Bruzek – County Assessor
Mr. Bruzek presented an Application for Abatement for Harold Mickelson regarding the reclassification of parcels R03.03306000, R08.00908300, and R08.00908400. Mr. Bruzek noted that Ag and Ag Relative Homestead interpretations by the State changed in August 2025 with the State notifying counties by letter on October 2, 2025. The Board is limited to an abatement for 2025 and up to two years prior; Mr. Bruzek has updated the classification for 2025 payable 2026. After discussion, there was a motion by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to approve the Application for Abatement for Harold Mickelson regarding the parcels listed above effective August 1, 2025, and forward only. Motion carried.
County Auditor-Treasurer Items: None.
County Coordinator Items:
Motioned by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to change the date of the November 11, 2025, County Board meeting to November 10, 2025, due to the Veteran’s Day holiday. Motion carried.
Motioned by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to approve a letter of support to the MN Humanities Center regarding funding for Advance Thief River’s Welcoming Rivers project. Motion carried.
Motioned by Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to approve an updated quote from SOK Enterprises in the amount of $9,872.70 for the Government Center elevator fire system upgrade. Discussion followed with it noted that this is an increase of $2,435.50 from the quote approved on July 22, 2025, due to additional smoke detectors and other equipment necessary to meet fire codes. Following discussion, the motion was carried.
Motioned by Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to approve the online purchase of a new Speedrooter drain/sewer cleaning machine at a cost of $3,045.00. Discussion followed with it noted that the new machine features a ¾” x 100’ cable. Following discussion, the motion was carried.
Motioned by Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to approve a quote by True North Equipment of TRF in the amount of $1,282.95 for the purchase of new 3-point broom brushes for the John Deere tractor used by Building & Grounds. Discussion followed with it noted that the quote includes shipping & handling and the highway department will install the new brushes and salvage any brushes possible. Following discussion, the motion was carried.
Mr. Erickson reminded the Board members of the AMC District 3 Fall meeting being held on Thursday, October 30, 2025, from 8:00 – 12:00 p.m. at the Highway Department.
County Attorney Items:
Mr. Haase stated that he may not be able to attend the rescheduled, November 10, 2025, County Board meeting. If so, he will request that Mr. Delray Sparby attend in his place.
Committee Reports / Commissioner Updates: None.
Motioned by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to adjourn the Board meeting to November 10, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Motion carried.
ATTEST:
Kevin Erickson,
County Coordinator
Roy Sourdif, Chairman
Pennington County Board of
Commissioners
PENNINGTON COUNTY’S
WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION
Warrants approved
on October 28, 2025
For Payment on October 31, 2025
Vendor Amount
BAYCOM $9,954.00
CARR’S TREE
SERVICE $20,184.55
CITY OF
THIEF RIVER FALLS $23,631.24
GARDEN VALLEY
TELEPHONE $5,219.71
HOFFMAN, PHILIPP,
& MARTELL, PLLC $5,415.00
NORTHDALE OIL INC. $4,017.33
NORTHWEST REGIONAL
LIBRARY $32,616.76
SKILLET KITCHEN $21,989.69
STREICHER’S $6,011.98
THOMSON REUTERS/
WEST PAYMENT CE $3,370.53
35 PAYMENTS LESS
THAN $2000 $17,096.87
Final Total: $149,507.66