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The Koochiching County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, for a regular meeting that saw the approval of a significant highway equipment purchase, updates on the county’s timber sales, and a quick maneuver to save a local snowmobile trail connection before the winter season.
Highway Department Updates: New Grader and Trail Reroute County Engineer Trent Nicholson presented a request to purchase a 2026 John Deere 672P motor grader from McCoy Construction & Forestry for a net cost of $414,972. The price includes the trade-in of a 1989 Caterpillar 140 grader, which the county has used for over three decades.
Nicholson detailed the selection process, noting that while Caterpillar also provided a quote, the John Deere option offered a better value with a lower purchase price and a higher trade-in allowance ($35,000 vs. $30,000). He noted that other manufacturers like Komatsu and Volvo were not viable options due to a lack of suitable six-wheel-drive models or domestic presence.
“This area and Silverdale are the two areas that require the six-wheel drive,” Nicholson explained, citing the significant hills in those districts. The new grader will be stationed in International Falls, while the current Falls grader will be moved to Silverdale to replace the 1989 unit. The board unanimously approved the purchase.
In a late addition to the agenda, the board authorized Nicholson to apply for a permit from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to reroute a snowmobile trail. The International Falls Snowmobile Club, represented by Vice President Mike Heibel, recently learned that a property owner had blocked access to a trail segment near the CN Railroad tracks.
The closure threatened to cut off the trail connection into Ranier. The proposed solution involves routing the trail along the MnDOT right-of-way from the Hagerman Trail to near County Road 23.
“It’s not going to be a quick process with MnDOT,” Nicholson cautioned, but the board’s approval allows him to start the permitting process immediately in hopes of resolving the issue for the upcoming snowmobile season.
Timber Auction Results Land Commissioner Nathan Heibel reported strong results from the county’s Nov. 5 timber auction. The county sold 18 of the 20 tracts offered, totaling just under 26,000 cords of wood with a total auction value of $809,000.
Heibel noted that aspen prices have ticked up, averaging $36.50 per cord, compared to roughly $33 in August and $33 at the same time last year. “Cold weather coming next week… get some frost on the ground,” Heibel said, indicating that conditions for logging operations should soon improve.
Following the report, the board discussed conducting a survey of cabin lease rates in comparable counties to ensure Koochiching County’s rates remain competitive and fair in 2026.
Other Board Actions
Emergency Communications: The board approved a contract with DSC Communications of Superior, Wis., to relocate radio console equipment from the current dispatch center to the new Law Enforcement Center. The bid from DSC came in approximately $1,100 lower than the competitor, OnTarget Training. DSC also installed the original system, making them a logical choice for the move. The project will be paid for using 911 funds, with a planned cutover date of Jan. 14, 2026.
Public Health: Commissioners approved a change in vendor for a promotional billboard. The county will void a warrant for Lamar Advertising and instead contract for a billboard at “Junker’s Corner” in Littlefork. The move is expected to offer better local visibility and a lower price.
Environmental Services: Environmental Services Director Matt Gouin reported that the Rainy Lake RV Park sewer project is nearly complete. The board approved a pay application of $10,788 to Wagner Construction. Gouin noted that recent drone footage of the site looked “phenomenal” and that the system is fully operational.
Waste Management: The board approved a contract amendment for canister site attendants, increasing their compensation by a total of $2,100 across all contracts to help offset rising liability insurance costs.
Big Falls Road Project: The board passed a resolution to act as the sponsoring agency for the City of Big Falls’ application for Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) funding. The city is seeking funds to improve portions of Nicolet Avenue and 4th Street.
Next Meeting The board adjourned the meeting shortly after 10:00 a.m. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 4:30 p.m., followed by the Truth in Taxation budget hearing at 6:00 p.m.
Koochiching County is the second largest county in the state by land area, encompassing approximately 3,154 square miles!
Koochiching County has a government structure dedicated to meeting the needs of its rural communities. The county covers a vast area of nearly 3,100 square miles, making it one of the largest counties in the state. Its government provides essential services to residents, from public safety to land management, while also ensuring that the county’s natural beauty and resources are preserved.
Koochiching County is known for its vast forests, pristine lakes, and Rainy River. The county seat is International Falls, the “Icebox of the Nation”. Despite the cold, the area is a favorite... Read more
Koochiching County Community Television (KCCTV), a non-profit public media organization, operates under the governance of Backus Community Center, established in 2012 to serve Koochiching County's citizens!
Koochiching County Community Television (KCCTV) is a non-profit public media organization that operates under the governance of Backus Community Center to serve local citizens. The station broadcasts on Midcontinent Cable Channel 7 and archives its programs on YouTube, providing a platform for local individuals and organizations. The mission of KCCTV is encapsulated in the statement “Strengthening our communities through public access media.” It underscores its role in fostering community engagement, education, entertainment, and enhancement.
Local membership advocacy drives forward the success of KCCTV and sustains that success. It not only reflects community support but aligns with the broader mission of... Read more
