The Beltrami County Board of Commissioners reviewed the proceeds of tax forfeited properties within the county during their meeting Tuesday.
Richard Moore with Natural Resources reported over $772,000 in apportionment proceeds.
According to statute, these proceeds must be invested in areas such as county economic development, timber development, acquiring and maintaining county parks, with funds also allocated to townships and school districts.
Moore also reported the comment period for Three Island Park proposed timber sales had ended, with only two positive comments, and the department will proceed with the timber sale auction.
Greater Bemidji Dave Hengel reported that COVID-19 relief grants have been distributed to over 100 applicants.
“The hospitality industry remains the most affected from COVID-19,” said Hengel.
The local hospitality industry received over $570,000 in these grants. The county was allocated over $1 million in the latest round from the federal COVID relief package. Grants also went to small retail businesses, manufacturers and loggers, and nonprofits.
Other business discussed included:
- An update on the local COVID-19 situation from Beltrami Public Health and Sanford Health.
- The Veterans Services Officer hiring committee. Scotty Allison plans to retire in early 2022, and the hiring process needs to begin soon due to the requirements and training needed for the VSO. Committee members include veterans of multiple U.S. conflicts, including Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. The VSO must also be a veteran to qualify. A brief discussion on who should be voting members of the committee was held.
- A discussion on board agenda setting policy.
View the full meetings here.
