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At the first Lake County board meeting of 2025 commissioner Rich Sve was again approved to continue as board chair, with Rick Goutermont acting as vice chair.
In other organizational business 38 pages of committee assignments were covered, and the legal paper for the year was determined.
Two local papers, the Lake County Press and the North Shore Journal, had both provided bids for the 2025 legals contract with the county.
Lake County Press bid $3 per standard advertising unit, and the North Shore Journal bid $4 per standard advertising unit.
Goutermont made a motion to accept the higher bid, based on his statement that the Journal delivers to every address in the county.
Commissioners Rick Hogenson and Jeremy Hurd voted against having the Journal as the paper representing the county this, both urging fairness in supporting local reporting in a sustainable manner for both papers. Goutermont, Sve and Joe Baltich voted for the Journal’s higher bid.
County administrator Matt Huddleson gave updates, including informing the board that Pulsar Helium was deepening their existing well that week, and were installing a second “stepout” well.
At Capitol Days in mid-March county representatives plan to discuss helium related regulations with legislators.
Baltich discussed attending the recent dinner for RAMS (Range Association of Municipalities and Schools), a lobbying group representing the Iron Range Area. His feeling was that it was an influential group and suggested that the county join as a corporate non-voting member.
Baltich also explained a new incentive bonus initiative being started for Ely Area Ambulance Service to encourage staff coverage of transports from the Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital, and suggested something similar be instituted for Lake County Ambulance Service.
