Hubbard County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Hubbard County boards to weigh $18M highway budget, Reuse Center contract, variances

Over the past two weeks, Hubbard County boards have taken up or reviewed items ranging from a proposed $18.2 million highway budget to a Reuse Center contract and property management services. No decisions have been published yet, as minutes for the Aug. 11 and Aug. 18 meetings are not yet available.

Highway Department budget and LEC update (Aug. 11 work session)

The Board of Commissioners work session on Aug. 11 included a review of the proposed 2027 Highway Department budget, which lists $18,217,067 in disbursements. That includes $10,000,000 for construction and highway maintenance projects, equipment purchases (a motor grader, tractor, and pickup), and resurfacing of the Public Works parking lot as a joint project with the Courthouse parking lot. The board also received an update on the Law Enforcement Center (LEC) project and reviewed the LEC's proposed 2027 budget.

County Board agenda (Aug. 18)

The Aug. 18 County Board agenda included several action items: awarding a Reuse Center Project contract (amount not specified in the agenda), classifying seven tax-forfeited parcels as non-conservation, approving an On Sale/Sunday liquor license for Wonewok Conference Center LLC, approving Sheriff's Office donations and a donor agreement with Kyle Nohre, and approving an op-ed on the Enbridge appeal to be sent to local authorities and media. The board also considered consolidating Heartland Express driver positions and contracting with MAHUBE-OTWA for homeless services, and received reports on the ambulance service and extension.

HRA/EDA Board (Aug. 18)

The HRA/EDA Board met Aug. 18 to consider routine consent items, including approval of minutes, financial reports for DW Jones, Inc.-managed properties (Cornerstone, Meadow View, Meadows Edge, Regency) for June 2026, and payment of invoices. The board also held a public hearing and considered new business: a request for entry cost assistance, a septic improvement assistance request, and whether to renew or terminate the existing property management services agreement. If terminated, the board would issue an RFP for a Jan. 1, 2027 start.

Coming up

The Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment will meet Aug. 24 to review six variance applications: 43-V-26 (Dawn Driessen-Fox) for grading in a steep slope on Island Lake; 44-V-26 (John Carder) for grading in a steep slope on Big Mantrap Lake; 45-V-26 (William Mills Trust) for a boundary line adjustment on Big Mantrap Lake; 46-V-26 (Jesseca Dekic) for lot compliance on 4th Crow Wing Lake; and 47-V-26 (Sunny Shores) for a subsurface sewage treatment system upgrade on Fish Hook Lake.

Hubbard County boards weighed shoreland variances, equipment purchases, and property sale; commissioners set to take up commercial development and Lake Belle Taine engineering funds

Hubbard County residents saw a busy stretch of county meetings in late July, though official minutes have not yet been published for any of the sessions. Based on the agendas released, the Board of Commissioners, the HRA/EDA Board, and the Planning Commission each took up land, equipment, and development matters. A Board of Commissioners meeting on August 4 will consider a commercial development proposal and a funding request for engineering work at Lake Belle Taine.

Board of Commissioners — July 21

The agenda listed several purchasing decisions and policy reviews. Items scheduled for consideration included:

• Purchase of a roll-off ramp container from Ramp Container, LLC for $14,590.00.
• Approval of a quote from Thomas Forestry to bud cap 899 acres of pine tree seedlings.
• Purchase of a half-ton and one-ton pickup from Neighbors Ford.
• A proposed policy for Hubbard County Out of Home Placements; Parental & Children Income Recovery Fees.
• The 2026 Purchase of Service Agreement with Mahube-Otwa for Chore and Homemaking Services.

Because minutes are not yet published, it is not confirmed which of these items were approved.

HRA/EDA Board — July 21

The Housing and Redevelopment Authority / Economic Development Authority Board agenda included discussion of a potential sale of HRA-EDA property on Third Street E in Park Rapids, along with industrial park marketing. The board was also scheduled to review financial reports for four multifamily rental properties: Meadow View, Meadows Edge, Cornerstone, and Regency, plus a review of paid and unpaid invoices.

No outcomes are confirmed without published minutes.

Planning Commission / Board of Adjustment — July 27

The agenda covered several shoreland variance requests and a commercial development application:

• Variance requests for properties on Duck Lake, 11th Crow Wing Lake, Lake Belle Taine, and Island Lake.
• Two variance requests from Hubbard County Parks and Recreation for a deck, road, and parking lot on Deep Lake.
• Minor subdivision of a 19.7 acre property in Akeley Township by Craig and Angie Nelson.
• Conditional use permit for a commercial planned unit development by Billion Real Estate Holdings, LLC.
• Proposed amendments to Shoreland Management and Subdivision Ordinances regarding permit and plat processes.

Minutes are not yet published, so decisions on these items cannot be confirmed.

Coming up

Board of Commissioners — August 4, 2026. The agenda includes:

• Conditional Use Application 1-CU-26 by Billion Real Estate Holdings, LLC for a commercial planned unit development.
• Conditional Use Application 2-CU-26 by Hubbard County Parks and Recreation for county park use.
• A request for a $24,989 low quote from Houston Engineering plus an additional $5,000 for Lake Belle Taine.
• A software implementation and license agreement with Intuitive Municipal Solutions.
• A proposed increase of the Sheriff Department administrative staff change fund from $100 to $200.

A preliminary budget discussion is also listed. Residents interested in the commercial development proposal or the Lake Belle Taine engineering request may want to attend.