Emmet County OKs $175,000 LOSST transfer to finish courthouse addition; insurance extended

Chair Lisa Hansen called the Sept. 1 meeting to order and the board moved quickly from routine business to finishing work on the county courthouse addition.

Auditor Heidi Goebel told supervisors the board previously authorized $250,000 in LOSST funds on June 16, 2026 and that Emmet County has spent $225,858.54 to date on monthly payments and landscaping; Christensen Construction's most recent billing showed $143,771.50 remaining. "Goebel will review payments on addition thus far," the minutes record.

Jeff Quastad moved, and John Pluth seconded, a motion to allocate $175,000 of LOSST funds to complete final payments on the courthouse addition. The motion passed (recorded as "All ayes (minus Schumacher)"). After that vote, the board approved continuing the Builder's Risk Insurance policy for one more year on a motion by Quastad and second by Todd Glasnapp.

Supervisors Hansen, Pluth and Quastad had walked the addition on Aug. 25 with Tom Egeland and Trevor Duckett and compiled a final punch list to present to Christensen Construction. Auditor Goebel will review cumulative payments to date and report back as requested.

The actions leave the county with a final outside balance on the contractor's most recent billing and a short list of finishing items to be negotiated with Christensen Construction.