Rock County Commissioners meet April 7
Rock County Board of Commissioners April 7, 2026
Herreid Board Room - Rock County Courthouse 9:00 A.M.
Chair Williamson called the meeting to order with Commissioners Overgaard and Thompson present; Commissioner Reisch was absent. Also in attendance were Administrator Kyle Oldre, Deputy Administrator Susan Skattum, County Attorney Jeff Haubrich and Star-Herald Reporter Nicole Ronchetti.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance.
Motion by Thompson, seconded by Overgaard, to approve April 7, 2026, County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Thompson, to approve the March 17, 2026, County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Thompson, to approve the consent agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
1. Resolution No. 10-26, 2026 Rock County Sno-Master’s Agreement
Eric Hartman, Land Management Office Director presented an Interim Use Permit for Northern Con-Agg to allow for an expansion of the existing aggregate mining operation located in Section 36 of Mound Township; the expansion will include adjacent tracts in the SE ¼ of the NE ¼ and the NE ¼ of the NE ¼ of Section 36 of Mound Township, with property owners being the City of Luverne and Rose Feikema. Aggregate materials will be removed by hydraulic dredge and pumped back to a dewatering wheel and then released into a system of conveyors to move the materials to the main plant for stockpiling. Hartman also informed the County Board that he received correspondence from Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regarding concerns of a protected species in the project vicinity. Hartman stated that the Planning & Zoning Commission heard concerns from Art and Carol Ehde, residents at 1410 150th Ave, adjacent to the proposed expansion area; those concerns were identified as conditions on the permit. After discussion, motion by Thompson, seconded by Williamson, to approve the Interim Use Permit for Northern Con-Agg with all conditions sited and contingent on DNR approval, declared carried on a voice vote.
Hartman presented a conditional use permit for Duininck, Inc. for the placement and operation of a temporary hot mix asphalt plant located in portions of Sections 11 and 14 of Denver Township. Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Thompson, to approve with all conditions identified on the permit, declared carried on a voice vote.
Brandon Bosch, Land Management Office Engineering Technician presented 2025 Feedlot review stating the following:
•staff inspected 44 of the 543 registered feedlots, 8.10%; the minimum is 7%
•county met 20 out of an applicable 20 or 100% of non-inspection minimum program requirement
•upon a review of the 2026-2027 Delegation Agreement and Work Plan, no modifications are being proposed
•Rock County was commended by MPCA for it work in 2025.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Thompson, to approve the 2025 County Feedlot Officer Annual report, declared carried on a voice vote.
Ashley Kurtz, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims; motion by Overgaard, seconded by Williamson.
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 153,582.40
Public Works Fund 60,344.63
Library Fund 3,339.62
Land Management Fund 10,635.49
The County Board was in receipt of the Fund Balance report; Kurtz stated that property tax payments have started coming in. Motion by Thompson, seconded by Overgaard, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
The County Board was in receipt of the Auditor’s Warrants listing of 03/20/2026, 03/27/2026 and 04/03/2026; motion by Overgaard, seconded by Thompson, to acknowledge receipt, declared carried on a voice vote.
The County Board was in receipt of a first quarter budget review with no action taken.
Motion by Thompson, seconded by Overgaard to approve a liquor license for Luverne Country Club contingent upon a successful background check, declared carried on a voice vote.
Rachel Jacobs, Land Records Office Director discussed property values for 2026-27. Property valuations for tillable, pasture land, gravel, quarry sites and residential were highlighted with an overall property valuation decrease of 2%, mostly due to decreases Springwater Township (a 32% decrease) and Beaver Creek Township (a 12%). Jacobs stated that her office is in the process of meeting with each jurisdiction within the county for the Appeal and Equalization process; the County Board of Appeal and Equalization is scheduled for June 16, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.
Matthew Sorenson, Sheriff, presented a request to purchase (16) Glock hand guns for $8,140; the purchase will replace existing inventory which be sold to a FFL dealer. Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Thompson, to approve the purchase of new Glock hand guns and the sale of surplus hand guns, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Sheriff reported that a new door has been installed on the east side of building and is awaiting trim work to complete the task.
The Administrator informed the County Board that numerous items remain unfinished at the Armory building; work includes task needed to be completed by both the contractor and sub-contractors. The county has opted to hire a new contractor to address issues identified in change orders.
Work on the first floor of the Courthouse is near completion, and the HVAC project is scheduled to begin mid May.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Thompson, to approve a one-year lease agreement with Southwest Health and Human Services for office space at the Human Services Building at $12.00 per square foot, declared carried on a voice vote.
The County Board was in receipt of bid results for CP 067-401-031, the 2026 Pavement Striping project:
Sir Lines-A-Lot - $78,354.20
Vogel Traffic Services - $95,342.50
Motion by Thompson, seconded by Overgaard, to accept the low compliant bid from Sir Lines-A-Lot for $78,354.20, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator stated he has attended meetings regarding union negotiations, building projects and Highway 75 construction project.
Commissioner Overgaard stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Southwest Health and Human Services, Solid Waste, Planning & Zoning and City/County Liaison.
Commissioner Thompson stated that she attended the following meetings/events: Highway 75 Open House.
Commissioner Williamson stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Agri-Energy Open House and union negotiation.
With no further business coming before the County Board, the meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair.
(06-11)
