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Message 2024 Annual ReportLAND SERVICESCompleted new county park “Little Emily Lake Park”99% positive customer satisfaction rating60 tax forfeited parcels soldAssisted 41,039 customers at our counter"Providing excellent customer service is the foundation of our department. Whether it’s protecting our natural resources, fairly valuing property as part of the property tax process, or managing public lands for recreation and forestry, we are devoted to professional, efficient, and effective programs and services.”We assisted 41,039 customers at our counter with just over 3,000 of them being inquiries that did not end in a receipted transaction. These inquires range from property value questions, permitting questions, dropping off documents, to property splitting and consolidating questions. The receipted transactions are for a variety of items including permits, vital records, tax payments, and document recording fees. We solicit feedback from these customers at our counter as well as when we are in the field assessing properties or completing site visits for land use permits. In 2024, we received 2,193 surveys, with an average of 99% positive feedback. Assessing Services - 974 surveysCustomer Services - 615 surveysEnvironmental Services - 601 surveys Please let us know how we are doing!

Department OverviewTable of ContentsOperationsPage 1Customer ServicesPage 4Assessing ServicesPage 6Environmental ServicesPage 10

OperationsThe operations area main priorities are managing the Land Services budget, E911 addressing, parcel map maintenance, split processing, consolidation processing, administering the County’s Aquatic Invasive Species plan, and tax forfeited land sales administration. 2024 BudgetLand Services managed a budget of $21,494,583, with levy funds accounting for just $4,137,365 of the total. We are able to utilize non-levy funds to cover a variety of expenses, which helps minimize the financial burden on the levy. By allocating funds for credit card fees, software licenses, the monumentation project, maintenance of tax-forfeited lands, and county parks and trails, the department is able to focus levy resources on other areas to keep them low for taxpayers.Page 1

436 E911 addresses assigned235 parcel splits processed519 parcel consolidations processedMonumentation ProjectCounties throughout Minnesota are working on a monument verification project. In 2024 we applied for a grant from the Minnesota Geospatial Information Office (MnGEO) to provide funding for this work. Crow Wing County was not awarded the grant, but we intend to apply in 2026 when applications open. Certified PLS Monuments with Coordinates – 2,241 Certified Monuments without Coordinates – 782 Uncertified Monuments – Coordinates Only – 508 No recorded monument or coordinate – 531 Consolidation ProjectIn 2024 we started our consolidation project to consolidate parcels in common ownership. This will result in fewer tax statements and other notices mailed out each year. It will save on printing and postage costs, as well as keeping things streamlined for our residents. 2,641 letters sent to landowners notifying them they were eligible with a 13.2% response rate941 parcels were reduced into 351 parcels which is a reduction of 591 parcels!If you combine this project with the consolidation requests not related to this project, we reduced our tax parcels just over 1%! Example: 22 parcels encompassing 120 acres consolidated into one parcel Page 2

Aquatic Invasive Species PreventionCrow Wing County partners with several area lake associations to conduct watercraft inspections at various boat landings throughout the county. 43,755 inspections were performed 13,080 hours of AIS inspections were completed on 43 landings in Crow Wing County310 decontaminations performed Page 3 For more info visit: www.crowwing.gov/ais

Customer ServicesThis area is responsible for processing thousands of transactions for customers, including, but not limited to tax payments, document recording, permits, lot splits, homestead applications, and parcel consolidation. This area serves as the vital records registrar. This includes birth, death and marriage records, marriage licenses, notary, and ministerial registrations. They are also responsible for providing protection and public notice by recording, indexing, maintaining, and displaying records of legal documents that affect real estate or personal property. Vital Records Processed2,575 Birth Certificates & Parent Notices7,353 Death Certificates1,271 Marriage Certificates & LicensesPhone Calls32,593 phone calls into our department main line1,091 to Assessor line2,054 to Assessment Specialist line1,193 to Environmental Services Permitting line5,873 to Customer Services Recorders lineTransactions54,865 tax payments receipted at the counter or stas’ desks32,259 tax payments processed through batch scanning3,027 customers assisted at the counter without a receipted transaction occurring38,012 transactions receipted at the customer service counterPage 4

Document RecordingeRecording - 10,051 / Traditional - 6,583Top Recorded DocumentsMortgage2915Warranty Deed2496Satisfaction of Mortgage2453Quit Claim Deed1397Certificate of Trust708Page 5

Assessing ServicesThe Assessing Services area’s goal is to provide a uniform, correct level of assessment of all property in Crow Wing County for property tax purposes. The County has approximately 82,000 parcels. According to requirements established by MN Statutes, the County is required to appraise all new construction every year and review all properties at least once every five years. Attachment A shows all changes to the 2024 assessment after County Board of Appeals & Equalization.1,878 eCRVs Processed1,489 Homestead Applications1,610 Permit Reviews & 2,721 CallbacksNew Construction ValuesThe graph below highlights the value added to the assessment from new construction.Page 6

Estimated Market ValueThere has been a steady increase in the market value of all properties in Crow Wing County since 2013, with an increase of 4.6% from 2023 to 2024. The makeup of the total market value of the county is one - half residential classification at 50.4% with the seasonal classification the next largest at 35.5%. Page 7

The following is a summary of the new permits received countywide. As seen below, 1,932 residential permits were issued in Crow Wing County, an increase of 5.7% in countywide permits from 2023. Page 8

9,287 Properties assessed7,581 bare land parcels assessed222 parcels penalty waived with One Time Waiver$13,327.81 total penalty waived Page 9

Environmental ServicesThis area is responsible for land use permits, land subdivisions, shore land alteration permits, septic systems, solid waste management, storm water management, surveying, wetlands, water planning, managing 105,000+ acres of natural resource land for timber and recreation purposes, and management of all tax forfeited properties. 1,179 permits were issued with an average 4.2 days turnaround time234 new enforcement cases opened & 315 closed 344 E911 address signs installedPermits by TypePage 10

Septic SystemsLand Services contracts out our septic inspections. 730 Compliance inspections completedInspections had a 92.54% compliance rate464 designs were submittedShort Term Rentals599 properties licensed37 complaints received on 25 propertiesPage 11

County Managed Public LandsEnvironmental Services Staff manage 105,000 + acres of natural resource lands employing professional natural resource management standards and techniques consistent with policies adopted by the County Board and State Law. Staff is also responsible for the management of all tax forfeited properties, which requires staffing resources to prepare land sale lists and to resolve such issues as encroachments, garbage, noxious weed growth, abandoned structures, and liability issues. ParksA new park, Little Emily Lake Park, opened the summer of 2024, and Milford Mine Memorial Park was updated and expanded. In 2025, we will see expansion and improvements to South Long Lake Park and Milford Mine Memorial Park. Little Emily Lake ParkEmilyPaul M Thiede Fire Tower ParkPequot LakesMilford Mine Memorial ParkCrosbySouth Long Lake Park BrainerdRollie Johnson Recreational Area & Rush Lake Island Upper Whitefish Lake and Rush Lake on the Whitefish Chain of LakesPage 12 Click here for more information on County Parks & Trails

TrailsStaff manages and/or sponsors 28 trails covering 290 miles in Crow Wing County. 6 - Cross Country Ski Trails 8 – Multiple Motorized Use (OHV)13 – Non-Motorized (Hunter/Hiking)2 – Non- Motorized (Mountain Bike)Sponsor nine snowmobile clubs that maintain 833 miles of trails.Grant SummaryGrant-In-Aid Agreements: In 2024, we received $112,463.12 for the administration of Off-Highway Motorcycle and Off-Highway Vehicle trail maintenance, $321,339.34 for the administration of snowmobile trails and $26,018.75 for the administration of Cross Country Ski Trails in Crow Wing County. Crow Wing County Land Servies acts as a pass through for these funds for the local trail user groups that we agree to sponsor. OHV and Cross County Ski Grants are on a reimbursement system and snowmobile grants are paid out through 4 benchmarks in the winter months.Park Grants: In 2024, we received a total of $130,000 from the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board and $300,000 from the DNR Regional Trails Program for our work to construct new trails at the Milford Mine Memorial Park. The County also received a $61,000 grant from the Outdoor Recreation Grant Program for additional trails and a playground at the South Long Lake Community Park. These grants are 50/50 match reimbursement grants that help offset costs to the County Recreation Funds.Federal Recreation Trail Program Grant (FRTP): The Central Lakes ATV Club was awarded $75,000 towards the purchase of new trail grooming equipment. The Central Lakes ATV Club manages trails in the southern portion of CWC. Signed a cooperative agreement with the DNR to install a 20’ extension on the existing fishing pier at the Little Emily Lake Park. Page 13

Land SalesLegislative changes in 2024 drastically changed our tax forfeited land administration. Typically, our land sales are held in person in July of each year. Due to these changes, we held our land sale in October and online only. These changes required us to offer many parcels at auction that we typically do not bring to public auction such as undivided interest, and small unbuildable lots. We sold 45 parcels at this online auction for a total of $760,988. The total revenue from land sales is shown here:20202021202220232024$1,821,782$2,335,304$1,780,041$2,752,270$1,374,642Timber SalesSpring and fall timber auctions are held every year. A 15% down payment is collected on the day of the auction. Most timber revenue is received when the timber is harvested, which usually occurs within 1-2 years following the original sale but can be up to four years later.Of the 72,500 productive forest acres managed by the County, approximately 1,400 acres are set up and sold at public auction each year. In 2024 we offered 1,355 acres which included 30 individual timber sales, all of which sold. $695,856 in revenue was received from 2024 Timber Sales Page 14

Tax Forfeited FundThis is a statutorily mandated fund that is used to account for all revenues and expenditures related to the forfeiture and sale of delinquent properties, repurchase of delinquent properties, sale of timber and timber permits. Only expenditures that are directly related to these duties are allowed to be accounted for in this fund. New legislation passed in 2024 will change how and when funds are settled out to the other taxing entities, which includes any revenues that were collected over the expenditures, or the net proceeds. These amounts will change for future years because of the ability for the prior owners to make a claim and possibly receive the net proceeds. The chart below shows a 10-year history of the Tax forfeited Apportionment and how much has been apportioned to our county recreation fund, capital projects fund, county general fund (to offset levy), schools, towns, and cities. As seen in 2024, this amount is drastically reduced, and this is estimated to be the trend for future years due to the legislative changes. Page 15

Solid Waste & RecyclingThis program encompasses a broad range of elements: waste reduction, waste education, recycling, yard waste facility, county sanitary landfill, county construction & demolition landfill, closed county landfill, used tires, used electronics, used mattresses, appliances, used oil and lead acid battery program, household hazardous waste and reuse facility, solid waste ordinance, and unauthorized solid waste disposal.4,748 appliances recycled1,629 mattresses recycled7,224 electronics recycled56,072 tons of garbage in landfill9,023 cubic yards of waste in demolition landfill8,988 pieces of furniture landfilledHousehold Hazardous Waste Program (HHW)HHW disposal is available during regular landfill hours year-round. Having this disposal option open all year protects our landfill and the County’s natural resources from the harsh chemicals found in HHW. In 2024, 4,185 households disposed of items through our HHW program. This is an increase of 60% from 2023. Our reuse program saw a large increase in 2024, growing from 184 users in 2023 to 482 in 2024, a 162% increase! Page 16 Click here for more information on disposal options

Item #Parcel #Reason for Change164030521Purchased for road construction project229100983Per Trevor class needed to be updated in 2024 due to sale in 2023367270509Purchased from Tax Forfeiture482120542Purchased from Tax Forfeiture559190531Purchased from Tax Forfeiture671200555Removed HS in 2024728110505Home & attached garage destroyed by fire prior to 1/2/24833320680Switch class between 33320680 & 33330671 - Bldgs cross on to 33330671933330671Switch class between 33320680 & 33330671 - Bldgs cross on to 333306711010160870Exempt Approved1110160871Exempt Approved1210160874Exempt Approved1378300507Propety reviewed during quitile - noticed being assessed twice on portion of building1414170572Per Wallaces this is now a rental 1524120544Tammy made changes per Sandra approval - Admin letter mailed 5/71692360554Exempt Approved1792360555Exempt Approved1892360556Exempt Approved1928120635Parents are deceased - HS removed2014070724Parents are deceased - HS removed2141280529Purchased from HRA 2241280527Purchased from HRA 2341280502Purchased from HRA 2488060500HS removed in 2024 as they moved & HS in cities in 2023/ Trevor confirmed to make Seasonal2589270526HS removed in 2024 as they moved to AL in 8/20232640180611Brandon made the changes - Clerical error. 2773462646Proof of tab being applied and current were supplied - Tammy2821300521Per approved App by Gary & Sandra - 2C applied in 20242924463290Trailer was moved to lot R14 from R53024463286Trailer was moved to lot R14 from R53126270724Lost value due to ROW in 20243256080526Home burnt 5/31/2023 3310181119Purchased from Tax Forfeiture3441190763Purchased from Tax Forfeiture3510080797Purchased from Tax Forfeiture3614170527Purchased from Tax Forfeiture3799260746Buildings on wrong parcel due to split3899260751Buildings on wrong parcel due to split & received HS app3988070518Building added here in error4040020830Exempt Approved4140050720Exempt Approved4240061059Exempt Approved4341191824Purchased from Tax Forfeiture4478320511Clase change due to AG App4578320510Clase change due to new ownership/AG App4678320512Clase change due to new ownership/AG App4790020507Clase change due to AG App4840080589Tax Court Stipulation4963020685Garage moved here from 63020616 5063020616Garage moved to correct parcel - 630206855125110779No longer qualifies for 4d Low Income Housing5225100589No longer qualifies for 4d Low Income Housing5368260715Purchased from Tax Forfeiture5460020504Purchased from Tax Forfeiture5522270500Removed Demo'd house & added garage that was omitted 5663020546Added home that was omitted5789360516Common owner group removed by mistake5841290605Purchased from Tax Forfeiture5940010892Parcel platted, portion of land to ROW6056130557portion of land to ROW616411D000Removed from 2C in 2024 as enrolled in SFIA626411D001Removed from 2C in 2024 as enrolled in SFIA636411D002Removed from 2C in 2024 as enrolled in SFIA646411C002Removed from 2C in 2024 as enrolled in SFIA656411C001Removed from 2C in 2024 as enrolled in SFIA666411C000Removed from 2C in 2024 as enrolled in SFIA6789220531Omitted Value for Guest Cabin6824130704HS app rec'd with no record of a home. Home complete in 2022. Added to 20246988130558Building added here in error7040050544Tax Court Stipulation7140050543Tax Court StipulationPage 17

7268190538Tax Court Agreement7311121106Long Term Lease - No STR7411112071Purchased from Tax Forfeiture7510190567Purchased from Tax Forfeiture7688010758Purchased from Tax Forfeiture7788010838Purchased from Tax Forfeiture7888110513Purchased from Tax Forfeiture7950110512Purchased from Tax Forfeiture8029230501Purchased from Tax Forfeiture 8125100555Purchased from Tax Forfeiture8288011069Purchased from Tax Forfeiture8376340512Purchased from Tax Forfeiture8488010573Purchased from Tax Forfeiture8560210512Purchased from Tax Forfeiture8688010536Purchased from Tax Forfeiture8788010535Purchased from Tax Forfeiture8867360511Purchased from Tax Forfeiture8988010807Purchased from Tax Forfeiture9067360553Purchased from Tax Forfeiture9188010692Purchased from Tax Forfeiture9220160557Purchased from Tax Forfeiture9320160558Purchased from Tax Forfeiture9410081180Purchased from Tax Forfeiture9528120690Land to County Rd 18 ROW9688110561Purchased from Tax Forfeiture9788010750Purchased from Tax Forfeiture9871180537Purchased from Tax Forfeiture9941301048Purchased from Tax Forfeiture10081120558Purchased from Tax Forfeiture10195270501Purchased from Tax Forfeiture10256090661Purchased from Tax Forfeiture10395270510Purchased from Tax Forfeiture10495270511Purchased from Tax Forfeiture10550210529Purchased from Tax Forfeiture10641251103Purchased from Tax Forfeiture10729150684Purchased from Tax Forfeiture10829150686Purchased from Tax Forfeiture10940240530Purchased from Tax Forfeiture11099020755Land to State Hwy 371 row11173260510Court order to CWC 202311240080575Tax Court Stipulation11340080576Tax Court Stipulation11440080577Tax Court Stipulation11581420508Exempt Approved1161906E001Purchased from Tax Forfeiture11787200562Purchased from Tax Forfeiture1188721N001Purchased from Tax Forfeiture1199528A001Purchased from Tax Forfeiture12030180654Purchased from Tax Forfeiture1219526Q003Purchased from Tax Forfeiture1228721S001Purchased from Tax Forfeiture1238721W001Purchased from Tax Forfeiture1248721R001Purchased from Tax Forfeiture1258721Q001Purchased from Tax Forfeiture1269527Q001Purchased from Tax Forfeiture1279527I001Purchased from Tax Forfeiture1286004V000Purchased from Tax Forfeiture12959190546Purchased from Tax Forfeiture13082330552Purchased from Tax Forfeiture13167250566Purchased from Tax Forfeiture1323334AA01Purchased from Tax Forfeiture1333334X001Purchased from Tax Forfeiture1343334AF01Purchased from Tax Forfeiture1353334AM01Purchased from Tax Forfeiture1363334Z001Purchased from Tax Forfeiture1373334W001Purchased from Tax Forfeiture13810171123Contract Cancelled 13910171124Contract Cancelled 14010171125Contract Cancelled 14110171126Contract Cancelled 14210171127Contract Cancelled 14310171128Contract Cancelled Page 18

14410171129Contract Cancelled 14510200546Contract Cancelled 14610200548Contract Cancelled 14719310571Contract Cancelled 14824130719Contract Cancelled 149413001053Contract Cancelled 15041301054Contract Cancelled 15141301057Contract Cancelled 15267360619Contract Cancelled 15368280513Contract Cancelled 15468280514Contract Cancelled 15588010519Contract Cancelled 15688011014Contract Cancelled 15788011015Contract Cancelled 15888011053Contract Cancelled 15992260526Repurchased from TF16092250522Repurchased from TF16182350510Land not included in quiet title of Dry Sand Beach16257240516Fire 2023 - Clerical error home not removed for 2024 asmtPage 19