Minnesotans across the Northland went to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, to cast ballots in local elections.
Here's the updated live results. Final update as of 2:45 p.m. Thursday.
Beltrami County sales tax question
Yes — 8,802, 96.84%
No — 287, 3.16%
"The Beltrami County Board of Commissioners has voted to construct a new County Jail at an estimated cost of $80 million. Taxpayers have a choice as to how to fund the project.
"Shall Beltrami County establish a five-eighths of one percent (0.625%) sales and use tax to pay for constructing and financing the new jail?
"A YES vote means that the majority of the costs would be financed through the sales and use tax which would remain in effect for 30 years or until the bonds are retired, whichever comes first.
"A NO vote means that the majority of the costs would be financed through increased property taxes for 30 years or until the bonds are retired, whichever comes first."
Grand Rapids School District
Question 1
Yes — 1,938, 25.03%
No — 5,804, 74.97%
Question 2
Yes — 1,736, 22.53%
No — 5,970, 77.47%
Question 3
Yes — 1,658, 21.53%
No — 6,044, 78.47%
Question 1
"The school board of lndependent School District No. 318 (Itasca County) has proposed to increase its general education revenue by $1,100.00 per pupil. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would be applicable for seven years beginning with taxes payable in 2024 and increase each year by the rate of inflation beginning with taxes payable in 2025, unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law. Shall the increase in the revenue proposed by the school board of Independent School District No. 318 be approved?"
Question 2
"The school board of Independent School District No. 318 (Itasca County) has proposed a capital project levy authorization in the amount of 4.287% times the net tax capacity of the school district. The proposed capital project levy authorization will raise approximately $2,500,000 for taxes payable in 2024, the first year it is to be levied, and would be authorized for seven years. The estimated total cost of the projects to be funded over that time period is approximately $17,500,000. The additional revenue from this authorization will provide funds for the acquisition, installation, replacement, support and maintenance of software, educational software, software licenses, computers, improved technology equipment, networks, infrastructure, the costs of technology related personnel and training; the purchase and replacement of school buses and school-related transportation vehicles; and the acquisition of curriculum, textbooks and materials. The projects to be funded have received a positive Review and Comment from the Commissioner of Education. If School District Question 1 is approved, shall the capital project levy authorization proposed by the school board of Independent School District No. 318 also be approved?
Question 3
"The school board of Independent School District No. 318 (Itasca County) has proposed to increase its general education revenue by $300.00 per pupil. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would be applicable for seven years beginning with taxes payable in 2024, and increase each year by the rate of inflation beginning with taxes payable in 2025, unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law. If School District Question 1 and School District Question 2 are approved, shall the increase in the revenue proposed by the school board of Independent School District No. 318 also be approved?
Counties
Koochiching County
District 5 Commissioner - Special Election - 100% reporting
Dale N. Erickson — 359 votes, 62.98%.
Rich Mastin — 211, 37.02%.
Lake County
District 1 Commissioner - Special Election - 100% reporting
Joe Baltich — 251 votes, 45.39%.
Jack Nelson — 223 votes, 40.33%.
Write-ins — 79, 14.29%.
School district candidates and ballot questions
Barnum School Board special election
Tony Newman — 64, 38.32%
Patrick S. Poirier — 102, 61.08%
Carlton School Board special election
Ryan Leonzal — 90, 62.07%
Steven Schmidt — 54, 37.24%
Clearbrook-Gonvick School District referendum
Yes — 258, 45.03%
No — 315, 54.97%
"Shall the school board of Independent School District No. 2311 (Clearbrook-Gonvick Public School) be authorized to issue its general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $28,370,000 to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including the construction and equipping of a new 2-station gymnasium with storage; remodeling and upgrades to convert the existing small gymnasium and fitness room into a multipurpose room, new fitness room, team room and visiting team locker room; the renovation and remodeling of media center classrooms and small group spaces; the construction and equipping of additional special education classrooms; the remodeling of early childhood special education spaces; the installation of a new roof and exterior doors; the construction of a secure entry to the office area; renovations, remodeling and upgrades to restrooms at the school site and facility; and the acquisition of furniture, fixtures and equipment?"
Crosby-Ironton School District referendum
Yes — 920, 49.07%.
No — 955, 50.93%.
"The school board of Independent School District No. 182 (Crosby-Ironton Schools) has proposed to increase its general education revenue by $975.00 per pupil. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would be applicable for ten years beginning with taxes payable in 2024, and increase each year by the rate of inflation beginning with taxes payable in 2025, unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law. Shall the increase in the revenue proposed by the school board of Independent School District No. 182 be approved?"
Deer River School District referendum
Yes — 247, 25.26%
No — 731, 74.74%
"Shall the board of Independent School District No. 317 (Deer River), Minnesota be authorized to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $24,195,000 for acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including, but not limited to, upgrades, renovations, and improvements to accessibility, security, mechanical, electrical, roofing, windows, doors, and instructional space and systems?"
Goodridge School District referendum
Yes — 230, 56.23%.
No — 179, 43.77%.
"Shall the school board of Independent School District No. 561 (Goodridge Public School) be authorized to issue its general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $21,350,000 to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including the construction and equipping of classroom additions to the school site and facility; the construction of improvements to repurpose and remodel existing classroom spaces; the construction and equipping of a new gymnasium facility including weight room and locker rooms; renovations and upgrades to the science lab, career and technical education (CTE) spaces and restrooms; the construction of improvements to relocate the main office to the ground level; and upgrades and improvements to the boiler and HVAC systems?"
Laporte School District referendum
Yes — 136, 78.16%
No — 38, 21.84%
Nashwauk-Keewatin School Board special election
Pam Brons — 109, 50.00%
William Hendricks — 107, 49.08%
Write-in — 2, 0.92%
Pequot Lakes School District referendum
Question 1
Yes — 925, 46.37%.
No — 1,070, 53.63%.
Question 2
Yes — 805, 40.49%.
No — 1,183, 59.51%.
Question 1
"The board of Independent School District No. 186 (Pequot Lakes Public Schools) has proposed a capital project levy authorization in the maximum amount of 0.8873% times the net tax capacity of the School District. The proposed capital project levy authorization will raise approximately $500,000 for taxes first levied in 2023, payable in 2024, and would be authorized for ten (10) years. The estimated total cost of the projects to be funded over that time period is approximately $5,000,000. The proposed authorization will provide funds for technology, buses and other District vehicles. The projects to be funded have received a positive review and comment from the Commissioner of Education. Shall the capital project levy authorization proposed by the board of Independent School District No. 186 (Pequot Lakes Public Schools) be approved?"
Question 2
If School District Question 1 is approved, shall the board of Independent School District No. 186 (Pequot Lakes Public Schools) be authorized to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $76,550,000 for acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities?
Thief River Falls School District referendum
Question 1
Yes — 1,150, 46.81%.
No — 1,307, 53.19%.
Question 2
Yes — 965, 39.5%.
No — 1,478, 60.5%.
Question 3
Yes — 958, 39.17%.
No — 1,488, 60.83%.
Question 1
"The School Board of Independent School District No. 564 (Thief River Falls), Minnesota has proposed to increase the School District's general education revenue by $750 per pupil. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would be first levied in 2023 for taxes payable in 2024 and would be applicable for ten (10) years unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law. Shall the increase in general education revenue proposed by the Board of Independent School District No. 564 (Thief River Falls), Minnesota be approved?"
Question 2
"The School Board of Independent School District No. 564 (Thief River Falls), Minnesota has proposed a new capital project levy authorization in the maximum amount of 4.426% times the net tax capacity of the School District. The proposed capital project levy authorization will raise approximately $800,000 for taxes first levied in 2023, payable in 2024, and would be authorized for seven (7) years. The estimated total cost of the projects to be funded over that time period is approximately $5,600,000. The revenue from the proposed capital project levy authorization will provide funds for the acquisition, installation, replacement, support and maintenance of software, software licenses, computers, improved technology equipment, networks, infrastructure and the costs of technology related personnel and training. If School District Question 1 is approved, shall the capital project levy authorization proposed by the Board of Independent School District No. 564 (Thief River Falls), Minnesota be approved?"
Question 3
"The School Board of Independent School District No. 564 (Thief River Falls), Minnesota has proposed to increase the School District's general education revenue by $407 per pupil. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would be first levied in 2023 for taxes payable in 2024 and would be applicable for ten (10) years unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law. If School District Question 1 is approved, shall the increase in general education revenue proposed by the Board of Independent School District No. 564 (Thief River Falls), Minnesota be approved?"
Local municipalities
Aurora mayor, city council
Doug Gregor — 146, 49.66%.
Richard Hess — 143, 48.64%.
Write-ins — 5, 1.70%.
Two seats were also up for election on the City Council, but no one filed to fill those seats.
Write-ins — 145; Bob Hanson earned 98, John Micklausich earned 16. These two top vote-getters must accept the roles.
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contributed/Ed PatriasEach Friday, a KAXE member gets the spotlight. From oatmeal to oat milk, only black coffee to Fruit Loops, pancakes or poached eggs — it's a delightful way to start a day listening to your friends and neighbors. -
Contributed/Grand Rapids Police DepartmentThe legislation authored by state Sen. Justin Eichorn made it into the Minnesota Legislature's Legacy finance bill. -
Plus: Brainerd School Board rejects both superintendent finalists; Stauber, Schultz headed to rematch; and Minnesota prepares for fishing opener. -
Contributed/Maple Ridge ProduceFarmers markets abound in Northern Minnesota. We've collected a list of locations, dates and times in towns like Pine River, Walker, Grand Rapids, Cook, Virginia, Bemidji, Brainerd and more! -
Megan Buffington/KAXENearly two dozen shared frustration with a lack of transparency surrounding the removal of the display in the Itasca County Jail, which the sheriff confirmed is already painted over. -
Plus: Residents speak in support of a Ten Commandments display in Itasca County Jail; and Duluth-based ALLETE announces a merger deal.
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Larissa Donovan/KAXEThe Office of the Inspector General's audit of the Bemidji Post Office pointed to numerous failures by management at the district and local levels. -
Contributed/Kimberly Emerson via iNaturalistKAXE Staff Phenologist John Latimer provides his weekly assessment of nature in Northern Minnesota. This is the week of May 7, 2024. -
Maria Hileman/KAXEKAXE's weekly list of concerts near you features Outside People, the Spring Soirée Musical Fundraiser, Heatbox, and Pride In the Arts. -
Contributed/Courtney Celley/USFWSStudents and listeners from across the state send in their nature reports. Depending on the season, reports may cover wildflowers, animal behaviors, weather patterns and other wonders.
