LUTSEN TOWN BOARD OF AUDIT MEETING
February 17, 2026
Minutes
Attendees: Ashley VanDoren, Carl Friesner, Chris Homyak, Samantha Mcquatters-Spangle
Call to Order: Chairperson, C Friesner called the meeting to order at 5 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance:
Approval of Agenda: C Friesner motioned to approve the agenda. C. Homyak seconded; motion passed.
Review/Audit and Approval of 2025 Financial Records: Clerk Mcquatters-Spangle explained the process of supervisors randomly choosing a month folder to compare receipts and disbursements to the records in the audit binder from CTAS [City & Town Accounting System – our accounting program] documents. Months chosen- January, September; June and July, April and October. Questions included how board payroll and some claims are split between the General and the Fire Funds. All funds matched the CTAS documents and treasurers’ documents. Supervisors signed the Financial Record for 2024. Witnessed by the clerk and treasurer. This document will be on display at the Annual Meeting. All records are available in the town office for review.
Citizens’ Comments: None
Adjournment: C Friesner motioned to adjourn at 5:15pm. C Homyak seconded. Motion passed.
Draft
LUTSEN TOWN BOARD BUDGET PLANNING MEETING
February 17, 2026
Minutes
Attendees: Ashley VanDoren, Julie Buskovick, Lollie Cooper, Carl Friesner, Chris Homyak, Steve Duclos, Samantha Mcquatters-Spangle
Call to Order: C Friesner called the meeting to order at 6:53pm with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Agenda: C Friesner motioned to approve the agenda; L Cooper seconded. Motion passed.
Review of 2025 & 2026 General Budget and Planning of Proposed 2027 Budget: Treasurer A VanDoren explained the handouts to be used for budget planning with the columns to the right on each page showing budget and actual costs for years 2021 through 2025. Line by line the items were discussed with comparisons with the previous years and questions on why some costs were higher or lower than the proposed budget items as well as increased costs of some items. Important discussed items included:
General budget:
Election cost in 2025 was over so treasurer VanDoren advised raising the projected costs; it is paid the year after a major election. Review cost in August for costs of supplies.
Payroll to stay at the same cost
Donations requests at the moment are
o Tofte senior lunch - $5000
o Community celebration - $500
o Tofte fireworks - $1500
Mowing cost raised to $1750 for both ball park (fire budget), Grandview and townhall
Supervisor advised to have septic tank service done in 2027; increase in sewer line item
Increase with professional services due to fallen tree removal costs
The proposed budget plan will be available on the home page of lutsentownship.com and at the Annual Meeting in March with the final review in August for any adjustments.
Proposed 2027 General Town Budget: $50,150. This does not include all requested donations.
Review of 2025 & 2026 Fire and EMS Budgets and Planning of Proposed 2027 Budget: The line-by-line items were discussed and compared to previous years while considering future needs and inflation costs. Some important noted increased included
Fire truck CD due to mature at the end of February 2026 will be placed back into the fire truck fund until further action is decided upon at the annual meeting in 2026
Snowplowing and sanding advised to increase to $5000; Supervisor Friesner will get a hold of Superior Properties North Shore who is kindly volunteering their snowplowing services for the Lutsen Gitchi Gami bike trial to get a estimated quote should the township decide to fund snowplowing in the future.
Insurance advised to increase to $4,000
Payroll will stay at $40,000 same as projected 2026 budget
Fire chief Duclos: In prospect of buying a new search and rescue truck which will be a sealed bid for the township; using the truck fund account money as other incidents that may need to be covered for other current trucks would be covered by insurance should an incident occur as well as another truck fund maintenance line item. When inquiring for an estimated cost of a new search and rescue truck one company offered a discount if a full amount of chassis is paid upfront and the option for a repayment plan. All things to consider when looking and this discussion will be tabled and brought up at the 2026 annual meeting.
Search and rescue drone purchase; Deputy clerk Sharon Hexum-Platzer has spearheaded the funding search for a drone purchase on behalf of Lutsen Townhall. The company would supply a second drone after the first initial year and over the three-year service will provide maintenance and a warranty of the drone for a full amount of $75,000. Sharon has reached out to over 700 short term rentals in Cook County for donations as this drone will be a mutual aid service for all of Cook County along with apply to multiple grants and other townships. Further discussion for this will be held at the 2026 Lutsen annual meeting.
Treasurer VanDoren advised to create a clear and transparent timeline for items like “capital items”.
Proposed 2027 Fire district Budget: $233,145 for a total combined budget of $283,295.
Proposed 2027 Levy for General Town Budget: $50,000
Proposed 2027 Levy for Fire and EMS Budget: $225,000
Total Proposed 2027 Levy Budget: $275,000
Citizen Comments: None
Adjournment: C Friesner motioned to adjourn at 6:53pm. C Homyak seconded. Motion passed.