By Mani Souphom – R & J Broadcasting | September 23, 2025

BAUDETTE, Minn. – On Thursday, Sept. 18 the City of Baudette convened for a regular meeting. Mayor Dylan Hancharyk presided over the meeting, with City Clerk and Treasurer Tina Rennemo present, and city council members Cole Nelson and Steve Theis, Jr. were in attendance. City Councilwoman Liz Weigel joined the meeting via Zoom.

After the pledge of allegiance, the meeting commenced with an update from the Splash Pad Committee. The Committee discussed the Splash Pad’s new location, which would allow for more efficient maintenance, and not obstruct the view for those in attendance of baseball games. A motion to approve the splash pad’s relocation was approved by the council.

The Splash Pad Committee provided an update on funding, stating that $232,000 had been raised so far and $200,000 of grants had been applied for, including a $50,000 grant from T-Mobile. This discussion concluded with announcements of upcoming fundraisers on Oct. 4, and Oct. 24.

City Clerk and Treasurer Tina Rennemo then presented the council with the 2026 proposed levy, and 2026 proposed budget. Rennemo stated that with each passing month, these figures became more accurate.

The 2026 budget would see an increase of 5% for wages, and the council discussed one of the most significant increases: the cost of health insurance. City employees are provided coverage via Blue Cross Blue Shield, and health insurance renewals will see a 20% increase for 2026. The council noted that other options for coverage could be looked into, and mandates for coverage would be taken into consideration. This trend in health coverage spikes was also seen in nearby Roseau, whose city council had been faced with a 29% increase.

The council voted unanimously to approve a 2026 preliminary budget with a 10% increase, and a 2026 preliminary levy for 8%. The mayor and council discussed at length that while spending could be allocated below those percentages, they could not go beyond those numbers.

“It’s been a lot of raises, and it’s getting tough … I think it’s getting to the point of being tough on people,” City Councilman Cole Nelson commented. “So our 10% … we aren’t going to get what we think out of it.”

We sat down with Baudette Mayor Dylan Hancharyk who gave us some more details on the proposed 8% levy and how the city intends to prioritize local spending:

Library Director Kelli Pelland updated the council on Baudette Library’s program for costume donation. This program provides free Halloween costumes for families in need, and donations can be made to the Women of Today. Pelland also informed the council that there was a vacancy for a library clerk, and advertising for this position may need to be explored.

The council then moved on to discuss upcoming infrastructure projects, including a potential new car wash for the City of Baudette. Bids had been released this July, and a permit had been applied for. The permit expires next spring, so it is unlikely that the city will see this project come to fruition in 2025, as plumbing and electrical permits have yet to be obtained.

Baudette’s Fire Department announced an upcoming training on Oct. 6. This event would be paid for by the MBFTE, and will provide a four hour course on electric vehicle and hazard training.

The Baudette City Council is also looking to fill another council seat. Mayor Hancharyk informed us the city is looking to fill this seat as soon as possible, and how potential applicants could pursue this opportunity:

The council then discussed the Welcome Sign project that had been spearheaded by the EDA. While the location had been narrowed down, to perhaps the space where the current Chamber of Commerce Billboard resides, a new issue in potential cost-sharing came up.

This project was originally funded by a grant for $25,000. The final quote for the installation of two welcome signs was reported at $31,242. The EDA is asking for the City of Baudette to share the overage cost of just over $6,000 at 50%. One resolution proposed was to only have one welcome sign for the city. The council decided that they would postpone a decision on how to move forward until the next work session set for Sept. 25, 2025.

The council then proceeded to thank the Baudette American Legion for donating 12 flags for Main Avenue. Before concluding the meeting, the city also approved Resolution 2025-14 for the HRA Levy for 2025, a resolution not intended to see a profit.

Reporting from your communities, for your communities, KQ92 & KRWB will continue to follow Baudette City Council meetings and provide updates.

The Minnesota Department of Ag is looking for applicants for its Livestock Investment Grant program. MDA Grants Supervisor Courtney VanderMey says farmers would be reimbursed for 50% of a project up to $20,000.

VanderMey says applications are open through November 13th.

MDA expects to award roughly $1.4 million through the program. More information can be found on the MDA website.

The state of Minnesota has a triple-A credit rating from all three major agencies for the fourth year in a row. Gov. Tim Walz says the top rating is a “testament to the strength of Minnesota’s economy and our commitment to responsible financial stewardship.”

Minnesota is one of just 16 states with the highest rating from Moody’s, S and P, and Fitch. State Management and Budget officials say the rating helps protect long-term investment and signals confidence int he state’s economy.

The top rating also reflects the state’s balanced budget approach and strong reserves, according to state finance officials. Minnesota entered the current biennium with a surplus, and lawmakers set aside billions for the state’s rainy day fund, a move that ratings agencies consider a safeguard against economic downturns.

Economic diversity also plays a role. Analysts note that Minnesota’s mix of industries, ranging from health care and technology to agriculture and manufacturing, creates a stable foundation for growth and resilience. State leaders say maintaining this rating ensures Minnesota remains competitive in attracting businesses and investors while keeping costs lower for taxpayers.

Voting season began in Minnesota on Friday last week for the November 4 local elections. There are 38 city and school district regular elections on ballots around the state in addition to 79 special elections. Voters can find out if there is an election in their area, view a sample ballot, and find their polling place at mnvotes.gov/pollfinder. Minnesota’s no-excuse absentee voting law allows for eligible voters to cast their ballot starting 46 days before the election. New this year for local elections, registered voters can request an absentee ballot online and the deadline for returning absentee ballots has changed to 5 p.m. on Election Day. For those voting in mail ballot only areas, ballots can still be returned until 8 p.m. on election day. Absentee and mail ballots can be returned by mail or hand-delivered to the voter’s local election office.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has endorsed COVID-19 vaccine recommendations from national medical associations for the 2025-26 season. The guidance comes from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, which all recommend that people over six months old have the option to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination is especially encouraged for children under 2, pregnant women, adults with high-risk conditions, and adults 65 and older.

This year, MDH is focusing on these professional associations’ recommendations rather than relying solely on federal guidance. Health officials say this approach provides science-based guidance and helps fill gaps left by federal recommendations. MDH emphasizes that COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and prevent severe illness and death.

Governor Walz issued an executive order on September 8 to ensure Minnesotans continue to have access to vaccines. In response, MDH has issued a standing order allowing pharmacists to provide COVID-19 vaccines broadly, reducing barriers to vaccination. The department is also coordinating with health plans, providers, and professional associations to ensure coverage and access statewide.

COVID-19 vaccines for the 2025-26 season are arriving at clinics and pharmacies, with supplies expected to grow in the coming weeks. MDH advises residents to call clinics or pharmacies to confirm availability, particularly for pediatric doses, and to check insurance coverage if needed. Vaccines are available at low or no cost for those without insurance, and COVID-19 vaccination can be given alongside flu or RSV vaccines.

Minnesotans are encouraged to speak with their health care providers about recommended vaccines to protect themselves and their families as the respiratory disease season begins.

This week it’s northern Minnesota’s turn to show off infrastructure projects that need to be completed.

Starting today, members of the House Capital Investment Committee will embark on a three-day tour of projects that could be covered under future bonding bills.  

The tour will include stops in the north metro, Brainerd, Bemidji and Moorhead.  Last week, Senate committee members began by touring some locations in southern Minnesota.

A northwest Minnesota man is jailed in Clearwater County in connection with a deadly assault near Bagley. Police found 26-year-old Tray McCollum barely breathing early Sunday, and he was taken to the hospital, where he died of head trauma. 

Investigators learned that McCollum and another person were assaulted. Officers later arrested a 24-year-old man in Fosston on suspicion of second-degree murder. 

The University of North Dakota Forensic Pathology Center in Grand Forks is doing an autopsy to determine McCollum’s official cause and manner of death.