During their recent meeting, the Big Lake Twp. Supervisors once again discussed offering health benefits to their employees. They ditched their previous service, QSEHRA, as it did not work for the township the way the board wanted. 

After a couple of months to investigate, the personnel committee recommended switching to a straight stipend for the clerk, deputy clerk, and treasurer. 

It was also noted that during the January reorganizational meeting, the subject of wages and meeting rates was not covered. The same hourly work rates were kept the same, but the board decided to change the meeting rate. In 2024, the board members each were entitled to $100 per meeting attended (though they could choose to not take the money if they wished to volunteer their time). The board voted to increase the rate to $120 per meeting to help pay for the time spent reviewing previous meeting minutes, the agenda, and otherwise preparing for the meeting. 

Fire Report

Fire Chief Seth Hansen reported 47 calls for service in January, with nine of those being for the township. He mentioned one notable case of a missing person. An elderly woman with dementia had wandered off on a cold morning, but she was found and brought to the hospital. 

Hansen said the probationary firefighters are ready to start training on trucks. 

Ladder One is officially retired from the force after 20 years of service. The truck was sold to another department, and Hansen stated the delivery of the new truck would be around the end of March. 

Sheriff Report

Commander Ben Zawacki of the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office gave his annual report for 2024. In the township, he noted 3,182 arrests for 2024. This was up from 2,775 in 2023, but on par with 2022 which had 3,176. 

Zawacki shared the exciting news that the back-up dispatch center was up and running. Due to a technical problem, the dispatch center went down for a very short time once. The Sheriff’s Department wanted to make sure that would never be an issue again, so they created a back-up dispatch center. It is not yet being staffed 24 hours per day, but the department is working towards that goal. 

Public Hearing

At a previous meeting, the Big Lake Town Board heard from a resident who wished to combine two neighboring parcels she owned so as to legally keep her retired horse on her property (and likely a friend or two for him). The board gave favorable comments at that time, but it is up to the county to decide. 

There will be a public hearing regarding the township vacating their right of way between the two parcels at the next regular Big Lake Town Board meeting on March 12 at 6 p.m.

Annual Meeting

The Big Lake Township annual meeting will take place on March 11 at 6 p.m. At this meeting, township residents are able to directly vote upon the tax levy and budget for 2026. Historically, voters usually recess the meeting until September before making their final approval, but the levy could be approved on that Tuesday so residents wishing to vote should attend the meeting if possible.