County gives not to pool contract extension

By Sara QuamThe Rock County Pool and Fitness Center again has the county involved in its operation. Tuesday county commissioners approved a previously tabled extension agreement, meaning they will continue in their joint powers agreement through March. Commissioner Ron Boyenga voted against the extension. The county had terminated that agreement effective Dec. 31, but wanted to extend it three months to allow time for negotiations to continue with the city of Luverne, the other owner of the facility. Commissioner Bob Jarchow said the board’s approval showed a degree of trust in the city. The county hasn’t seen a detailed Pool and Fitness Center budget but is still paying for three months of its funding, $14,210. Both the city and the county own and fund the Pool and Fitness Center, but the city of Luverne is in charge of management. Part of the ongoing city/county negotiations will be the more than $23,000 in purchases taken out of the capital improvement fund. County Board members maintain those are operational and maintenance expenses and should have been spent through the regular operating budget. The County Board said the contract outlines that once the operating budget exceeds its annual allotment, both county and city boards should approve expenses.In other business Tuesday, the board:
Passed a transient merchant ordinance. This covers businesses that set up operations in the county for a day and then leave.
Approved of adding a new financial worker to Family Services. Also, the department noted that it collected more than $1 million in child support for the first time last year.