Posted: Monday, July 14, 2008

Beltrami County capped a 10-year, $30 million building program on July 10 with an open house for its renovated courthouse and new Juvenile Center. The public toured the facilities and root beer floats and entertainment were provided on the lawn next to the Community Service Center. A short program included comments by county commissiors and a keynote address by Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justice Lorie Gildea.

Construction of the campus started with the County Service Center in 1997.  A Law Enforcement Center was then added that houses the offices of the Beltrami Country Sheriff and the Bemidji Police Department.  The County Administration Building was completed in 2005.  The renovation of the courthouse and construction of the Juvenile Center were completed this year. 

Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justice Lorie Gildea presented a plaque to Quentin Fairbanks, Chairman of the Beltrami County Board of Commissioners, at the program.  Also pictured, from left to right, are: Kay Mack, County Auditor/Treasurer; Phil Hodapp, County Sheriff; Jim Heltzer, Beltrami County Board of Commissioners; Brita Sailer, State Representative 2B; Jack Frost, Beltrami County Board of Commissioners; Joe Vene, Beltrami County Board of Commissioners; Ron Otterstad, Beltrami County Board of Commissioners; and Tony Murphy, Beltrami County Administrator.