Incorporation Update: Trial Start Date & Upcoming Steps
We want to keep you informed as we continue moving forward with the incorporation process.
🗓 Trial Start Date:
The judge has set July 15 as the official start date for the incorporation trial. This is when the judge will gavel in the start of the case. The judge will be attending remotely, and there will likely be no evidence presented that day. After that, the trial will be continued to a later date—likely late September or early October—to allow time for both Northern Township and Bemidji to present their cases. Each expects to take about a week.
👥 Joint Public Meeting:
State law requires a joint public meeting between Northern Township and Bemidji to allow residents to ask questions and share comments with both boards. The judge will not be at this meeting. The date has not been set yet, but it will likely be within the next 1–2 months. Attendance is optional, but all are welcome.
🗣 Public Comment Night During Trial:
As a reminder, during the trial dates this fall, there will be a separate night for Northern Township residents to share their comments directly with the judge. We encourage all who are willing and able to attend and let the judge know your thoughts on the incorporation.
We will share exact dates and details as they are set so you can plan if you wish to attend.
If you have any questions about the incorporation process or upcoming steps, please feel free to reach out to me anytime:
Chris Lahn, Township Administrator
📞 218-444-1857
📧 chris.lahn@northerntownship.com
Thank you for staying engaged as we work through this process on behalf of our residents.