Rock County Commissioners meet Oct. 20

Rock County Commissioners meet Oct. 20

Rock County Board of Commissioners          9:00 A.M.

Herreid Board Meeting Room/Zoom Video Meeting October 20, 2020

The meeting was called to order by Chair Overgaard with Commissioners Reisch, Williamson and Reisch present; Commission Burger was absent. Also in attendance were County Administrator Kyle Oldre, County Attorney Jeff Haubrich, Deputy Administrator Susan Skattum and Star-Herald Reporter Mavis Fodness.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all who were in attendance. 

Motion by Thompson, seconded by Reisch, to approve the October 20, 2020, County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.

Motion by Williamson, seconded by Reisch, to approve the October 06, 2020, County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote.

Motion by Thompson, seconded by Reisch to call a Public Hearing to order at 9:05 a.m. for the purpose of hearing public comments regarding a Rock Home Initiative (RHI) application for Colin Lyndorf and Ashley Nye, declared carried on a voice vote.

There was no comments voiced or received; motion by Thompson, seconded by Reisch, to close the Public Hearing at 9:08 a.m., declared carried on a voice vote.

Motion by Reisch, seconded by Thompson, to approve the Lyndorf/Nye RHI application with an estimated annual abatement of $785.00 not exceed (5) years, declared carried on a voice vote.

Calla Jarvie, Rock County Library Director, informed the County Board of a pilot program opportunity with the Purdue University entitled Digital Ready Communities; Rock County was a referral by the Blandin Foundation. The objective of the program is to develop a digital information network to spread news announcements quickly across the county. Currently, Jarvie is in the process of developing an asset group and developing an operating agreement.

Jarvie also stated that currently, efforts to utilize the Blandin grant dollars have stalled due to COVID and that the grant deadline will expire very soon.

Ashley Kurtz, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims and Per Diems of $800.00; motion by Reisch, seconded by Williamson, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote. A complete listing of the claims is available upon request at the Auditor/Treasurer's office.

OCTOBER 20, 2020 CLAIMS OVER $2,000

BOUND TREE MEDICAL LLC $13,662.79 

BREMIK MATERIALS, INC                 6,604.76 

BURLINGTON-NORTHERN/SANTAFE RAILWAY COM     3,919.43 

CEMCAST PIPE & PRECAST                 3,768.00 

CHS                 8,580.66 

COMMISSIONER OF TRANSPORTATION                 3,299.35 

COUNTIES PROVIDING TECHNOLOGY                 6,491.00 

FEY INDUSTRIES INC                 2,394.00 

FIDLAR TECHNOLOGIES INC                 2,566.80 

GRAHAM TIRE-WORTHINGTON                 3,839.00 

KETTERLING SERVICES INC             11,398.55 

LAWSON PRODUCTS, INC                 3,264.87 

LYON COUNTY LANDFILL             16,324.34 

NOBLES COUNTY AUDITOR-TREASURER             27,817.50 

SANDERS INC                 2,132.10 

SANFORD HEALTH                 2,332.00 

SNOW WHEEL SYSTEM INC                 2,096.79 

SOUTHWEST HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES             33,299.00 

STAPLES ENTERPRISES INC                 2,589.83 

TITAN MACHINERY-SIOUX FALLS                 4,161.75 

66 PAYMENTS LESS THAN $2,000             31,482.81 

     TOTAL               $192,025.33 

The County Board was in receipt of the Fund Balance report; motion by Williamson, seconded by Overgaard to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.

Kurtz also stated that the October 15 Real Estate tax collection has passed and that they are sending out over 400 late payment letters, which is higher than usual.

The County Board was in receipt of the 2019 Audit Exit; Kurtz stated that the county’s audit resulted with an un-modified/clean opinion. Audits results for Rural Water and Soil and Water were good as well.

The Auditor/Treasurer stated that they are receiving a high volume of mail ballots due to numerous reasons.

The Administrator presented an update from the Community COVID testing event that was held on Oct 13-15. A total of 545 tests were administered resulting in 26 positive tests or a 4.8% rate for a population of 10,000.

The County Board was in receipt of the AMC District VIII Virtual meeting scheduled for November 5 at 9:00 a.m.

The Administrator briefly discussed the State of MN 2020 Bonding Bill of $1.8 billon that was recently passed. There is nothing directly related to Rock County in the 2020 bill and that the Engineer will be able to access Rock County’s local share of funds for infrastructure improvements.

Motion by Reisch, seconded by Thompson, to approve the 2021 Cafeteria Contribution of $777.70/mo for union employees, declared carried on a voice vote.

The County Board review delegates for AMC and MCIT and determined to make know changes.

  Commissioner Reisch stated that he attended the following meetings: Community Corrections, Sergeants Union negotiation and Southwest MN Opportunity Council.

Commissioner Thompson stated that she attended the following meetings: A. C. E. and Next Era.

Commissioner Williamson stated that he attended the following meetings:  Rural Water, Southwestern Mental Health, Rock Ranch Open House.

Commissioner Burger stated that he attended the following meetings: n/a

  Commissioner Overgaard stated that he attended the following meetings: Rock Ranch Open House, Rural (2) meetings - Energy Board/SW Electric Transmission, Next Era.

With no further business to come before the County Board, motion by Reisch, seconded by Williamson, to adjourn, declared carried on a voice vote. 

(11-12)