Rock County Commissioners meet April 22
Rock County Board of Commissioners April 22, 2025
Training Room - Rock County Law Enforcement Center 9:00 A.M.
Chair Overgaard called the meeting to order with Commissioners Thompson, Burger and Reisch present and Commissioner Williamson absent. Also in attendance were Administrator Kyle Oldre, Deputy Administrator Susan Skattum, County Attorney Jeff Haubrich, Star-Herald Reporter Mavis Fodness and County resident Carol Morgan.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance.
Motion by Thompson, seconded by Reisch, to approve the April 22, 2025, County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Burger, seconded by Reisch, to approve the April 08, 2025, County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Thompson, seconded by Reisch, to approve the Consent agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
1. Approve Paint Striping Bid - Vogel Traffic Services $90,092.04
The Rock County Highway Department received bids for Project CP 067-
401-030 on Monday, April 21st at 11:00 A.M. The results of the bid opening
are as follows:
Vogel Traffic Services $90,092.04
Sir Lines-A-Lot $91,082.90
Beth Wilms, Southwest Health and Health Services (SWHHS) Director, along with Nancy Walker, Deputy Director, Lisa DeBoer, Director of Business Management, Carol Biren, Public Health Division Director, Cindy Nelson, Social Services Division Director presented a SWWHS organization update. Wilms announced her retirement effective 07/18/2025 and thanked the staff at the SWHHS organization for their dedication and hard work. Commissioners Burger and Thompson thanked Wilms for her leadership and accomplishments during her tenure with the SWHHS organization.
Wilms briefly reported on the following: mental services continue to develop, continues to monitor the 2025 Legislation session and tracking the potential funding cuts and how it will impact services; the Prime West lawsuit is still pending.
Lisa DeBoer, Director of Business Management at SWHHS reported on the fiscal health of the organization stating that 2024 ended at $2.1 million with $15.2 in reserves; 2025 levy was $13.9 million, a 5% increase; currently there are 12-14 open positions and that they are in the second year of the union contracts.
Cindy Nelson, Social Services Division Director, reported that in 2024 the case load remained stable at 3,300 cases covering a variety of services. Disability and Adult Protection cases have seen an increase, however in home daycare and foster care services have decreased. Out of Home Placement (OHP) cases were 142- 173 with Rock County’s average being eleven. Nelson stated that the agency is lacking longevity in child protection services as 40 new employees were hired in 2024.
Carol Biren, Public Health Division Director, stated the agency is preparing for the impacts of cannabis use, as they are anticipating an increase in out of home placements and homelessness. Biren informed the County Board about a new program entitled Credible Mind, that offers Mental Health resources. Biren also stated that they are reviewing applications for Opioid grant awards.
Nancy Walker, SWHHS Deputy Director stated that income maintenance programs have remained steady at 13,000 cases in 2024. Policy changes for Final Disposition for Indigent persons have resulted in significant savings and that they continue to research the issue for additional improvements.
Calla Jarvie, Rock County Community Library Director presented a 2024 Annual Report of library services and activities. Overall activity in a majority of the services offered remained the same with a slight increase in: visits, computer usage and wireless sessions, circulation, off site program attendance and utilization of meeting rooms for non-library sponsored events.
Ashley Kurtz, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims with additions from McClure Electric for $18,030.64 and Vault Health for $2,262.76; motion by Reisch, seconded by Burger, to approve the claims, declared carried on a voice vote. An itemized listing of all warrants over $2,000 and an aggregate total for warrants under $2,000 are published on the County website at the following address: www.co.rock.mn.us/department_directory/auditor_treasurer
Total Commissioner Warrants paid by Fund:
General Revenue Fund 85,948.70
Public Works Fund 69,268.04
Library Fund 5,911.45
Land Management Fund 4,356.47
The County Board was in receipt of the Fund Balance report which reflected receipt of the first half of real estate tax collections; motion by Burger, seconded by Overgaard, to approve the Fund Balance report, declared carried on a voice vote.
The County Board was in receipt of a tax abatement on Parcel 15-0246-000 for $182.00 due to an assessment error. Motion by Thompson, seconded by Reisch, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Auditor/Treasurer requested approval to re-issue lost warrant #108549 for $61.46; motion by Reisch, seconded by Overgaard, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
The County Board was in receipt of the Auditor Warrants paid on April 11, 2025 and April 18, 2025; motion by Reisch, seconded by Overgaard acknowledging receipt of the warrants, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Auditor/Treasurer presented a pricing schedule and agreement from CSG Forte to implement electronic payment and processing for real estate tax transactions; processing fees for transactions are passed on to the end user, therefore, no cost for transactions will occur to the county. The fee for users will be 2.4-percent of the payment amount with a minimum fee of $1.50. CSG Forte will provide the first VeriFone terminal/equipment at no cost and additional terminals will cost $450 per terminal. Once the process is established, the Auditor/Treasurer will expand and allow additional transactions except for transactions in the Department of Motor Vehicle. On a recommendation by the Auditor/Treasurer, motion by Burger, seconded by Thompson, to approve the service agreement with CSG Forte for electronic payments and processing, declared carried on a voice vote.
Kurtz went on to explain that the State of Minnesota has proprietary software for electronic payments and processing for Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) transactions. Motion by Reisch, seconded by Overgaard, to approve an agreement with the State of Minnesota for credit card payments relating to DMV transactions, declared carried on a voice vote.
Eric Hartman, Land Management Office Director, informed the County Board that the Planning and Zoning Board held a Public Hearing on March 31, 2025, for a Conditional Use Permit for a new swine finishing facility over 1000 animal units for Lass Farms, LLC located in the SW ¼ of Section 15 in Vienna Township. Since the site exceeds the permitting threshold for Rock County, a permit from NPDES from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is required; the Planning and Zoning Board recommends approval of the conditional use permit. Motion by Reisch, seconded by Burger, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
Hartman also stated that the Planning and Zoning Board held a Public Hearing on April 14, 2025 for (3) Conditional Use Permits and for proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance Chapter 153; the Planning and Zoning Board recommends approval of the following:
1. Duininck, Inc for the placement and operation of a temporary hot mix
asphalt plant located in existing quarry located in portions of Section 11 and
14 of Denver Township; motion by Burger, seconded by Overgaard, to ap-
prove with conditions identified on the conditional use permit, declared car-
ried on a voice vote.
2. Duininck, Inc. for the placement and operation of a temporary hot mix
asphalt plant in gravel pit owned by Ron Fick located in the SW 14/ of Section
15 of Luverne Township; motion by Reisch, seconded by Thompson, to ap-
prove with conditions identified on the conditional use permit, declared car-
ried on a voice vote.
3. Ellis and Eastern with Oilworx to change an existing site from temporary
use to permanent use for off loading oil and storing oil on the site located in
Section 35F of Beaver Creek Township. The load out facility will provide oil
to asphalt suppliers for public road projects in the region; the permit also
allows for the construction of additional storage tanks. Motion by Burger,
seconded by Thompson to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
Hartman discussed proposed amendments to Title XV Land Usage Chapter 153 Planning and Zoning that reference the following:
1. Places of Public Accommodation in the A-2, General Agriculture District
2. Interim Use Permit for temporary uses
3. Aggregate mining as an expansion of an existing use in the A-1, Limited
Ag District as an Interim Use
After additional discussion, motion by Reisch, seconded by Overgaard, to approve Resolution No. 07-25, the Title and Summary of Amendments to Title XV Land Usage Chapter 153 with an effective date of May 01, 2025, declared on a voice vote.
Evan Verbrugge, Sheriff, informed the County Board that Ahmed Kadhim was nominated and received the MAD Award for his efforts with DUI violations. Verbrugge also reported on the current status of staffing within the Sheriffs Office stating that Deputy Reisdorfer has been named the county’s representative of the Buffalo Ridge Regional Drug Taskforce.
Sheriff Verbrugge also informed the board that after discussion with Emergency Management and the National Weather Service Rock County would begin sounding the outdoor warning sirens for severe thunderstorm warnings. He stated the intent of the sirens is to notify individuals outdoors to seek shelter and further stated that severe thunderstorms accounted for more damage and injuries than tornados on an annual basis.
Sheriff Verbrugge announced his retirement effective September 30, 2025, and submitted his letter of resignation. The County Board thanked Verbrugge for his 34 years of service in law enforcement and for the 18 years serving as the Rock County Sheriff. The County Attorney will outline the replacement process at the next meeting.
The County Board was in receipt of correspondence from Southwest Health and Human Services identifying how Opioid Settlement Funds have been utilized in southwest Minnesota. These funds have been used to initiate several significant programs: launching medication assisted treatment and case management for pregnant and postpartum people; creating licensed alcohol and drug counselor academic programs; funding K-9 detection dogs for law enforcement; expanding detox facilities, and improving community awareness surrounding substance misuse. These initiatives, among others, are actively addressing the effects of addiction within our communities. Settlement funds have also been awarded to Buffalo Ridge Drug & Violent Crime Task Force to purchase a trace narcotics detection system allowing agents to successfully identify, detect, and confirm the presence of narcotics. A third round of funding is currently available from April 21, 2025, through May 23, 2025.
The Administrator stated that he continues to track legislative issues and potential cuts that will impact Rock County.
The Administrator presented an update on the following building projects:
•Armory building - Demolition has been completed and the architect will
be bid letting the project with a May 15, 2025, deadline
•Courthouse – Phase III carpet installation is complete in the courtroom and
awaiting the completion of Phase II/Land Records; carpet and tile install in
the corridor has begun.
•Library – new alarm system install complete; also upgraded alarm system
at Human Services Building.
•Terrace project – Walker Restoration Consultant is working with McGill
Restoration to wrap up the punch list items
Commissioner Reisch stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Kid’s Rock Child Care ribbon-cutting ceremony, Southwest Minnesota Opportunities Council.
Commissioner Burger stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Southwest Health and Human Services, Community Corrections, Luverne Initiatives For Tomorrow (LIFT).
Commissioner Thompson stated that she attended the following meetings/events: Kid’s Rock Child Care ribbon-cutting ceremony, Plum Creek Library, Southwest Regional Development Commission, Community Library.
Commissioner Overgaard stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Land Use, Planning and Zoning, Kenneth City Council, Magnolia Firemen’s fundraiser.
With no further business to come before the County Board, the meeting was declared adjourned by Order of the Chair.
(06-12)
