The city of Bemidji is receiving more ARP dollars than expected. During the work session last night, Finance Director Ron Eischens said that due to other agencies not claiming funds, the city will receive an additional $57,000 between this year and next, bringing the total to about $1.7 million in federal funding. No formal action…
The Bemidji City Council will discuss ways to use $1.63 million in American Rescue Plan funding during their work session Monday. The funding, which should be spent by the end of 2024, can be used to either respond to the public health emergency or its negative economic impacts. The city could use the funding to…
The emergency temporary standard from OSHA requiring COVID vaccines or weekly tests and masks, which is currently being held up in federal courts, was discussed during the meetings of the Beltrami County Board of Commissioners. Administrator Tom Barry explained some of the rules behind the order, such as all staff, with no exceptions, will need…
Bemidji School Board Member Jeff Haack resigned during the board’s meeting Monday. During the last portion of the meeting, Haack said he wanted to focus more time and effort on his children and on the Bemidji ISD #31 Foundation. Haack said last night’s meeting would be his last. Haack was last elected to the board…
The Bemidji City Council broadly discussed ideas for putting more resources into local economic development. Representatives from numerous development and economic groups were at the meeting, including Greater Bemidji’s Dave Hengel, once-retired but the current interim director of the Headwaters Regional Development Center Tim Flathers, and the new executive director for the Northwest Indian Community…
The Bemidji City Council will discuss economic development during their work session this evening. The discussion, according to a memo from City Manager Nate Mathews, will review what work in this department has been done prior to the pandemic. The city has historically given $30,000 of general property tax dollars to Greater Bemidji for economic…
Voters in the Bemidji Area School District said “no” to the district’s operating referendum ask. The results, according to Beltrami County Auditor JoDee Treat, were 3,432 in favor and 3,749 against. The district asked to replace the existing $180 per pupil operating referendum with a $460 per pupil referendum, which would have expired in 10…
Today voters are expected to go to the polls for the Bemidji School District’s special election for an operating referendum. Polls will be open from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. The district is asking to replace its existing $160 per pupil levy, which was set to expire in another four years, with a $460 per…
Beltrami County COVID recovery and relief grant applications are now available for local nonprofits. According to a release from the United Way of Bemidji Area, the county is offering a portion of their American Rescue Plan dollars to area nonprofits and some government groups who serve households and communities. The release says the intention is…
The Bemidji City Council moved forward to study the impacts of either roundabouts or traffic signals on Hannah Avenue and Middle School Drive, as the Minnesota Department of Transportation comes closer to a final plan for Highway 197. MnDOT’s Darren Laesch says those two intersections are the main difference between the two alternatives. Laesch said…
