Beltrami County Board names new chair, renews MRC membership in close vote
The Beltrami County Board held its annual reorganization Jan. 9 and selected District 3 Commissioner Scott Winger as board chair and District 4 Commissioner Tim Sumner as vice chair. In a 3-2 vote the board also renewed the county’s Minnesota Rural Counties membership at an annual cost of $2,900, a decision that highlights debate over lobbying strategy and fiscal priorities for county residents.
At its Jan. 9 reorganization meeting the Beltrami County Board followed its customary rotation practice for leadership, elevating District 3 Commissioner Scott Winger to chair and District 4 Commissioner Tim Sumner to vice chair. The change continues a recent pattern in which District 1 Commissioner Craig Gaasvig served as chair for 2025 while Winger was vice chair.
The board immediately moved to address the county’s external advocacy strategy. By a 3-2 margin commissioners approved renewing membership in Minnesota Rural Counties, a statewide organization whose membership carries a $2,900 annual fee for the county. Supporters of renewal argued the affiliation brings added lobbying resources at the Capitol and additional representation for Beltrami County on issues important to rural jurisdictions. Opponents raised concerns that the county’s participation may duplicate existing advocacy through its membership in AMC and questioned whether the expense is the best use of taxpayer funds.
The narrow vote underscores a division on the board over how Beltrami County should allocate limited resources for state-level advocacy. Commissioners in favor emphasized immediate access to MRC staff and coordinated legislative outreach during upcoming session priorities; those opposed pressed for clearer evidence of distinct benefits that would justify the recurring cost and suggested evaluating other, less costly approaches to legislative engagement.
The board set a timeline for reassessing the decision, agreeing to revisit MRC membership in 2027. That review will give commissioners another opportunity to weigh measurable outcomes from the affiliation against alternative advocacy approaches and budgetary priorities.
For residents, the decisions carry practical implications. The $2,900 annual expense will remain in the county budget while membership continues, and the choice of advocacy partners affects which voices represent Beltrami County at the state Capitol. Close votes on membership and the routine rotation of leadership highlight how a small number of commissioners can shape policy and spending that affect county services and priorities.
The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20. Meetings are available to the public in person and can be viewed online through the county’s meeting livestream on the Beltrami County website.
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