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Weeks of hearings set for Bemidji, Northern Township on wastewater issue

KAXE
Published September 29, 2025 at 2:05 PM CDT
Northern Township officials estimate more than 300 people attended a special meeting May 7, 2025, at the Beltrami County Fairgrounds 4H building.
Larissa Donovan
/
KAXE
Northern Township officials estimate more than 300 people attended a special meeting May 7, 2025, at the Beltrami County Fairgrounds 4H building.

The administrative trial over who will manage wastewater around Lake Bemidji began in July 2025, with hearings Sept. 29-Oct. 10, 2025, in Northern Township and Bemidji.

BEMIDJI — Northern Township is presenting its case to become a city this week during the first days of a two-week administrative trial.

The township is seeking to firm up its boundary against any further annexation by its nearest neighbor, the city of Bemidji. The trial in Northern Township will take place throughout the day over multiple days at its town hall, beginning Monday, Sept. 29, and ending Friday, Oct. 3. The public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Beltrami County Fairgrounds’ 4H Building.

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Northern Township officials estimate more than 300 people attended a special meeting May 7, 2025, at the Beltrami County Fairgrounds 4H building.
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From left, Bemidji Councilmember Gwenia Fiskevold Gould, Bemidji Mayor Jorge Prince, Northern Township Supervisor Jess Frenzel and Northern Township Administrator Chris Lahn, during the joint meeting on Aug. 28, 2025.
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Northern Township has planned to construct a municipal wastewater facility for years, even acquiring federal grants. Bemidji filed a countersuit to annex Lake Bemidji this spring, prompting the administrative trial.

Township leaders plan to construct a new multi-million-dollar wastewater treatment facility. They've secured nearly half of the cost through federal grant dollars, and are covering some of the rest with additional assessments on the property taxes of connected households. They're also seeking support from the state through a bonding request from the Legislature.

Next week, Bemidji will present its case to annex around Lake Bemidji. The city says it can get sewer and water around the lake connected to its already-established systems at a lower connection cost to its ratepayers. The trial in Bemidji will also be held multiple days at its city hall, from Monday, Oct. 6, through Friday, Oct. 10, with a public hearing slated for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 8, at the Sanford Event Center.

Susan Whelan takes the mic during the question and answer period of the city of Bemidji and Northern Township's joint meeting on Aug. 28, 2025. The hearing was a required part of the two local govenrments' admistrative trial that begins later in September.
Larissa Donovan
/
KAXE
Susan Whelan takes the mic during the question and answer period of the city of Bemidji and Northern Township's joint meeting at the Sanford Event Center on Aug. 28, 2025. The hearing was a required part of the two local governments' administrative trial that begins later in September.
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Local News Government & PoliticsLocal GovernmentWater QualityLake BemidjiBemidjiNorthwest MinnesotaKAXE
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