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County offices close doors, services remain

By
Lori Sorenson

Just days after announcing their doors would remain open, Rock County officials decided last week to restrict access to their offices in Luverne, due to coronavirus concerns.
“This isn’t what we wanted, but we just weren’t able to accommodate social distancing,” said Rock County Administrator Kyle Oldre, who is also the local emergency management director.
“Our government services continue to function, but in a very different way in these times.”
Doors are closed at the courthouse, Law Enforcement Center, Environmental Services, Rural Water and Rock County Library until further notice.
The lobby of the sheriff’s office and services at the transfer station will remain open to the public. District court will remain open, but to arrange for personal access, members of the public will need to call 507-353-7095, ext. 4. Non-emergency visits are discouraged.
County workers will remain on the job and continue providing services. Business will be done by phone, email or U.S. mail where possible, and appointments will be taken for other services.
“We realize there are services that people need, like birth and death certificates, veterans documents, and we are going to meet their needs,” Oldre said.
The decision to close doors was prompted largely by congestion in the Rock County motor vehicle office after neighboring counties  closed their doors and those residents took their business to the one office that was still open.
“Foot traffic was backing up in the hallway and it just wasn’t safe,” Oldre said.
“We will continue to plan creative solutions for serving our residents that do not require person-to-person contact, but deliver these important services.”
To reach the county offices by phone and online, the directory is at www.co.rock.mn.us.
Phone numbers are:District Court (Courthouse) 507-353-7095; ext. #4
Motor Vehicle (Courthouse) 507-283-5024
Auditor/Treasurer (Courthouse) 507-283-5060
Land Records (Courthouse)   507-283-5022
Administration (Courthouse) 507-283-5065
Veterans Services (Courthouse) 507-283-5061
Highway Department 507-283-5010
Library 507-449-5040
Land Management 507-283-8862
Rural Water 507-283-8886
Rock County Extension 507-283-1302

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