OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
PENNINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
JUSTICE CENTER BOARD ROOM
FEBRUARY 24, 2026 – 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, February 24, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Members Present: Seth Nelson, Bruce Lawrence, Roy Sourdif, Dave Sorenson, and Neil Peterson. Members absent: None.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Sorenson, 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 Sourdif, to approve the agenda as written. Motion carried.
Motioned by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Peterson, to approve the County Board minutes of February 10, 2026, with two minor changes as detailed by the County Coordinator. Motion carried.
Motioned by Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Sourdif, to approve the Human Services warrants totaling $244,520.52 and the following Commissioner warrants. Motion carried.
County Revenue $144,324.92
Road & Bridge $184,230.38
Solid Waste $4,668.50
Ditch Funds $531.39
Meal reimbursements and per diems in the amount of $11.79 were also approved.
Julie Sjostrand – Human Services Director
County Coordinator Kevin Erickson presented the consent agenda from the February 17, 2026, Human Service Committee meeting on behalf of Ms. Sjostrand, who was unable to attend the Board meeting. On a motion by Commissioner Lawrence and seconded by Commissioner Nelson, the following recommendations of the Pennington County Human Service Committee for February 17, 2026 (detailed minutes on record) are hereby adopted:
SECTION A
I. To approve the January 20, 2026, Human Service Committee Meeting minutes.
II. To approve the agency’s personnel action as presented.
III. A. To approve the CY 2024- 2025 Child Welfare opiate allocation-agency plan as presented.
B. To approve a letter of Notice of Termination for Pennington County Human Services to Alluma, Inc. as presented.
SECTION B
I. To approve payment of the Agency’s bills.
Mike Flaagan – County Engineer
Engineer Flaagan discussed a resolution regarding a proposed speed limit study on CSAH 27 and CSAH 28. The current speed limit is set at 55 mph and Polk and Marshall Counties have expressed interest to increase the speed to 60 mph. The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Sourdif, and upon vote was unanimously carried.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, County State Aid Highway 27 from the Polk/Pennington County line to MN State Highway 1 and County State Aid Highway 28 from MN State Highway 1 to Pennington/Marshall County line has a speed limit of 55 mph as per MN Statute 169.14.
WHEREAS, State Statutes and the MN Department of Transportation regulation govern speed zoning on local roads.
WHEREAS, Pennington County believes the speed limits on the County State Aid Highways 27 and 28 should be increased to 60 mph from the Polk/Pennington County line to the Pennington/Marshall County line.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of County Commissioners of Pennington County that the MN Department of Transportation restudy the posted limits of CSAH 27 and CSAH 28.
Engineer Flaagan displayed the Purple Wave online auction listing for the used county plow truck (Unit 310) that is for sale. He noted that similar trucks are selling on the site for $25,000-$30,000.
Engineer Flaagan stated that he and several other area engineers will be meeting with Northland Community and Technical College to discuss a Civil Engineer Technician program.
Mr. Flaagan displayed the Pennington County website and links under the Highway Department that provide information related to the section corner monument project. He also displayed a county map of the ditch benefit areas and noted that many benefit areas overlap each other, meaning there is more work to be done regarding ditch benefit determinations.
Engineer Flaagan requested Board permission to attend a National Association of County Engineers (NACE) Annual Conference in Arlington, TX, in April. He noted that he will not be attending the MN Transportation Conference in 2026. Motioned by Commissioner Sourdif, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, to authorize the County Engineer to attend the 2026 NACE Conference in Arlington, TX, April 12-15, 2026. Discussion was held with Mr. Flaagan noting that the cost to attend the convention is within his department budget. Hearing no further discussion, the motion was carried. Motion carried.
Seth Vettleson – County Sheriff
Sheriff Vettleson discussed a three-year contract renewal with Guardian RFID (inmate tracking, logging). Current annual pricing is $9,389 but will reduce to $8,394 with the renewal. Motioned by Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to approve a contract renewal with Guardian RFID at an annual cost of $8,394.00 for a three-year term effective December 2026 – December 2029. Motion carried.
Sheriff Vettleson discussed a squad vehicle declared a total loss in an accident. MCIT has reimbursed $41,474 and will also reimburse vehicle accessories that could not be salvaged. A replacement Chevrolet Tahoe was located at North Country Chevrolet in Hibbing, MN, for $53,191.20. Funds budgeted for two new radios in 2026 will be used to pay the price difference. Motioned by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, to approve the purchase of the new Chevrolet Tahoe from North County Chevrolet GMC in Hibbing, MN, at a quoted price of $53,191.20. Motion carried.
Sheriff Vettleson informed the Board that ten applications were received for the STS Crew Leader position, and they are planning to interview eight applicants.
County Auditor-Treasurer Items: None.
County Coordinator Items:
Motioned by Commissioner Sourdif, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to approve issuance of a duplicate warrant to Michael Wojciechowski in the amount of $22.38 to replace lost warrant #116890 issued on October 2, 2025, without issuance of an indemnifying bond. Motion carried.
Mr. Erickson noted a total of eleven job applications were received for the vacant Custodian I position and five applicants were recently interviewed. The committee is in the process of selection and background check. He will bring a recommendation for hire to the March 10, 2026, Board meeting.
County Attorney Items: None.
Committee Reports/Commissioner Updates:
Commissioner Peterson noted that the AMC Legislative Conference begins March 3, 2026. Commissioners Peterson and Sourdif are scheduled to attend.
Motioned by Commissioner Sourdi, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to adjourn the Board meeting to March 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Motion carried.
ATTEST:
Kevin Erickson,
County Coordinator
David Sorenson, Chairman
Pennington County Board of
Commissioners
PENNINGTON COUNTY’S
WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION
Warrants approved
on February 24, 2026
For Payment on February 27, 2026
Vendor Amount
ADVANCED
CORRECTIONAL
HEALTHCARE $25,314.07
CITY OF THIEF
RIVER FALLS $5,650.00
GARDEN VALLEY
TELEPHONE $11,801.50
HARTMANN
CONSTRUCTION $3,670.00
HEPPNER
CONSULTING $9,197.53
IHLE SPARBY &
HAASE, PA $15,000.00
JMD MANUFACTURING
INC. $3,850.52
MORRIS ELECTRONICS
INC. $11,000.00
MOTOROLA
SOLUTIONS $14,727.77
QUADIENT FINANCE
USA, INC. $3,000.00
RINKE NOONAN $4,868.50
SKILLET KITCHEN $26,932.29
THOMSON REUTERS/
WEST PAYMENT
CENTER $2,541.31
THRIFTY WHITE
PHARMACY $2,089.84
UNIVERSITY OF
NORTH DAKOTA $2,995.00
ZIEGLER, INC. $171,000.00
52 PAYMENTS LESS
THAN $2000 $23,786.86
Final Total: $337,425.19