OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
PENNINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
JUSTICE CENTER BOARD ROOM
NOVEMBER 10, 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 Monday, November 10, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Members present: Bruce Lawrence, Roy Sourdif, David Sorenson, and Neil Peterson. Members absent: Seth Nelson.
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. Hearing none, there was a motion by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to approve the agenda as written. Motion carried.
Recognition of Citizens: None.
Motioned by Commissioner Sorenson, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, to approve the County Board minutes of October 28, 2025, as written. Motion carried.
Motioned by Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to approve the Auditor & Manual warrants for October 2025 totaling $3,432,550.17 and the following Commissioner warrants. Motion carried.
County Revenue $124,947.95
Road & Bridge $35,268.12
Solid Waste Facility $5,720.00
Justice Ctr Jail Bond
Fund $475.00
Justice Ctr Cap. Imp.
Fund $475.00
Ditch Funds $8,600.00
Per diems and meal reimbursements in the amount of $2,100.00 were also approved.
Mike Flaagan – County Engineer
Mr. Flaagan discussed the county land and radio tower for sale in Smiley Township, noting no bids were received the first round of advertising. Mr. Haase stated the county can list the property with a realtor but that requires a sale for at least 90% of estimated market value. Otherwise, it can be advertised for sale on bids and the county can accept any bid. Motioned by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, to readvertise the sale of the radio tower and land in Smiley Township on bids. Motion carried.
Mr. Flaagan discussed final payment on Contract No. 2501 with RJ Zavoral & Sons, Inc., which was approved by the Board on September 23, 2025, in the amount of $2,551,703.55. Omitted in error were incentives for ride and density of the roads, as well as discounts related to reconstruction of six catch basins, resulting in an updated final cost of $2,661,565.40. Motioned by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, to amend the final payment amount to RJ Zavoral & Sons, Inc. for Contract No. 2501 in the amount $2,661,565.40 as discussed above. Following discussion of the project incentives, the motion was carried.
Mr. Flaagan informed the Board that the Kittson County Engineer is now licensed in MN, so he is expecting a letter from the county requesting termination of the contract with Pennington County for highway engineering services.
County Auditor-Treasurer Items:
Ms. Herzberg presented the 2026/2027 State of MN Natural Resources Block Grant Agreement with Pennington County. Motioned by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to approve the FY 2026/2027 Natural Resources Block Grant Agreement in the amount of $101,655. Motion carried.
Motioned by Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to approve a 2026 grant agreement with the State of MN/Dept of Agriculture in the amount of $10,300 to support the duties of the County Ag Inspector under the Noxious Weed Law. Motion carried.
County Coordinator Items:
Mr. Erickson reminded the County Board that 2026 insurance open enrollment is open from the period of November 3, 2025, to November 21, 2025.
Mr. Erickson informed the Board that the Personnel Committee met with the county’s union groups to discuss Memorandum of Agreement’s to the CBA’s related to the Paid Family Medical Leave law that takes effective January 1, 2026. He expects to have union-signed MOA’s from the Unions in time for the next County Board meeting.
County Attorney Items: None.
Committee Reports / Commissioner Updates:
Commissioner Sorenson noted recent issues with the electric boiler in the Auditorium, but they have been resolved and the county is again able to heat the building.
Commissioner Lawrence noted an incident of graffiti on the east side of the Justice Center, which has since been removed at a cost of approximately $900. Charges in the incident have been filed and restitution will be sought.
Commissioner Peterson stated that Northern Counties met last week and the MN DNR was present to discuss new policies. Northern Counties will be updating their Joint Powers Agreement with the addition of the following counties: Pine, Ottertail, Cass, and Carlton.
Motioned by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, to approve an agreement with the Lake of the Woods County Sheriff’s Office for the housing of inmates at the Pennington County jail for the period of September 1, 2025, to September 1, 2026; contracting three daily beds at $70.00 per bed, per day, or $150.00 per bed, per day for inmates with special needs classification. Motion carried.
Commissioner Lawrence stated the Marshall County jail project should be complete within the next month and noted that Pennington County contracted to house their inmates during the project.
Motioned by Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to adjourn the Board meeting to November 25, 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 November 10, 2025
For Payment on November 14, 2025
Vendor Amount
ADVANCED CORRECTIONAL HEALTHCARE $23,658.01
COLE PAPERS, INC. $2,460.58
EVERBRIDGE, INC. $8,650.23
GUARDIAN RFID $9,389.00
KRIS ENGINEERING INC. $9,986.64
LES’S SANITATION
SERVICE $6,697.28
MINNESOTA STATE
TREASURER $3,662.00
NORTHDALE OIL INC. $5,718.62
OLSON CONSTRUCTION
TRF, INC. $7,650.00
SANFORD PATIENT FINANCIAL SERVICES $33,741.70
SKILLET KITCHEN $23,558.91
TIMBERLINE LOCATION
LLC $8,700.00
TITAN MACHINERY $6,638.70
61 PAYMENTS LESS
THAN $2000 $24,974.40
Final Total: $175,486.07