📢 Incorporation & Annexation Trial Update
On July 15, Judge Jessica Palmer-Denig formally opened Northern Township’s incorporation trial. Because the City of Bemidji is contesting our petition—and submitting its own request to annex the entire area around Lake Bemidji—the judge has consolidated both matters into one trial. This requires two full weeks of court time and has been scheduled to reconvene on:
🗓 Monday, September 29, 2025
Here’s what to expect:
🔹 Sept 29–Oct 3 – Northern Township presents its case
Location: Northern Town Hall
🔹 Oct 6–10 – City of Bemidji presents its case
Location: (TBD, in Bemidji)
🔹 *** Public Comment Night *** – Tuesday, Sept 30 at 6:00 PM
Location: 4H Building at the Beltrami County Fairgrounds
This is your opportunity to speak directly to the judge, who will be in attendance and wants to hear from residents. Please plan to attend!
🔹 Joint Public Meeting (Date TBD)
As part of the City’s annexation petition process, a separate joint meeting between the City Council and Township Board will be held prior to the trial. This meeting is not part of the trial and the judge will not be present. It’s a statute mandated meeting for annexation by petition cases which offers a chance for residents to ask questions of the both the City Council and Town Board at the same meeting. We will announce the date as soon as it is scheduled.
What happens after the trial?
Once the testimony concludes in October, Judge Palmer-Denig will take several months to review everything before issuing a final decision.
• If annexation is approved, it is likely to go into effect immediately upon the judge’s order.
• If incorporation is approved, we anticipate a special election next spring or summer to elect a new Mayor and City Council.
Once this new Council is sworn in, Northern Township would officially become a city.
We’ll continue to share updates as new information becomes available.
If you have any questions, please contact Chris Lahn, Township Administrator, at
📧 chris.lahn@northerntownship.com or 📞 218-444-1857