County to meet with rec commission

The Koochiching County Board is scheduled to meet as a committee with the International Falls Recreation Commission at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The board is scheduled to begin the regular meeting at 10:30 a.m.
The rec commission is scheduled to continue a discussion on a proposal to create a taxing district that would provide funding to the rec commission to support youth sports.
The rec commission proposed in February three separate subordinate service taxing districts, a slightly changed proposal from the commission’s original intent of creating a taxing district along the boundaries of the Falls school district.
The taxing district would help reduce participation fees for sports, according to rec commission officials.
The new proposal of three taxing districts would include the Littlefork-Big Falls school district and the South Koochiching school district. The Littlefork-Big Falls School Board voted to reject participation in a proposed taxing district at its February meeting.
In session earlier in the day, the board is expected to approve two recommendations from the Planning Commission for rezoning during Environmental Services business at 10:50 a.m.
Ron Peterson is proposing to rezone two 20-acre parcels from open space to manufacturing to allow for possible future expansion of a foreign trade zone east of International Falls. Peterson also is proposing blasting on the site, but the Planning Commission tabled a motion to approve the use permit for a mining operation.
Boundary Waters Land and Timber is proposing to rezone 80 acres south of Highway 11 and west of the entrance road to the Rainy Lake Visitors Center from agriculture-forestry use to residential-recreational use.
Following Environmental Services business, the board is scheduled to speak with a representative from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 11:05 a.m. regarding its proposal to expand the Canadian lynx critical habitat. The expansion would include all land east of Highway 53. Following the discussion, the board is expected to submit a comment on the proposal.
Public comment is scheduled to follow the Canadian lynx discussion.
The board is also expected to discuss Community Services business at 10:45 a.m.