Beltrami Co. Board Will Not Appeal MN Judge’s Decision Regarding New Redistricting Plan

The Beltrami County Board of Commissioners will not appeal a decision by a Minnesota judge that ordered a new redistricting plan for the county.

Last week, a Ninth Judicial District judge ruled in favor of former county commissioner Jim Lucachick and 30 other plaintiffs who sued the county about the way the Board of Commissioners selected its redistricting. Judge Christopher J. Strandlie ruled the board did not follow state statues regarding minimizing the population shift between districts.

Today, commissioners met and discussed the ruling, and board chair Richard Anderson offered a statement to the public regarding their plans for the future.

“We acknowledge the court’s judgement and are working diligently to comply with the order,” said Anderson. “As a redistricting commission is established, we will continue to update our constituents during the process and employ the maximum level of transparency.”

Following today’s meeting, Lakeland News caught up with Anderson to hear more about the board decision.

“I think it was a difficult decision, but we feel that we’ll need to work with the judge’s ruling,” explained Anderson. “The board decided not to appeal this decision, and [we will] work with the judge’s ruling and come up with folks who might want to serve on the committee that will look at redistricting.”

In his ruling, Judge Strandlie ordered a commission of five people to formulate and certify a redistricting plan for Beltrami County. The plaintiffs and the county are directed to agree upon that five-person commission.

If there is no agreement on who will serve on the commission, the court will decide it.