Rock County Commissioners meet Aug. 19
Rock County Board of Commissioners Aug. 19, 2025
Herreid Board Meeting Room 9:00 A.M.
Rock County Courthouse
Chair Overgaard called the meeting to order with all Commissioners present. Also in attendance were Administrator Kyle Oldre, Deputy Administrator Susan Skattum, County Attorney Jeff Haubrich, Star-Herald Reporter Mavis Fodness and resident Carol Morgan.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance.
Motion by Reisch, seconded by Thompson, to approve the August 19, 2025, County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Burger, seconded by Williamson, to approve the August 5, 2025, County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Burger, seconded by Reisch, to recess at 9:01 a.m., for a public hearing to allow for comment regarding the adoption of the 2025-2029 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) with the potential for bonding for certain expenditures identified on the 2025-2029 CIP, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator reviewed a summary of expenditures identified in the 2025-2029 CIP that totaled $31,890,523 and indicated that there is many funding streams identified in the CIP document to pay for the expenditures to also include bonding.
No public comment was given; motion by Thompson, seconded by Overgard to adjourn the Public Hearing at 9:20 a.m., declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Reisch, seconded by Thompson to approve the consent agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
1. Final contract payment of $41,721.16 to M&K Bridge Construction for
project SAP 067-609-024, bridge #67579 over the Elk Creek.
Calla Jarvie, Library Director, requested out of state travel to Albuquerque, NM, to attend the Small & Rural Library Conference; the conference is grant funded to cover registration and travel expenses. Motion by Reisch, seconded by Williamson, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
Jarvie also stated that the Rock County Library was awarded a $500 grant for bird programming; no action was needed. Also stated that she would be writing a monthly column in the Star-Herald entitled “Between the Pages”.
The Administrator introduced Zander Carbonneau, a Luverne High School senior, who was job shadowing the Administrator throughout the course of the day. Carbonneau was a participant at Boy’s State and Boy’s Nation in 2025 and will be studying abroad for nine months to Kyrgyzstan to learn to speak the Russian language. His future goals are to work with state and/or federal governmental agencies.
The County Board was in receipt of a tax abatement for a parcel number 19-0007-700 located in the City of Steen; the abatement is a correction of 6.81 acres to 4.11 acres, adjusting the taxable market value by $20,162, resulting in a tax reduction of $278.00 for taxes payable in 2025. Motion by Reisch, seconded by Burger, to approve the $278.00 abatement for 2025, declared carried on a voice vote. Tax abatements for years 2024 and 2023 are still pending.
Ashley Kurtz, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims for payment; motion by Williamson, seconded by Thompson, 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 267,339.87
Public Works Fund 149,438.62
Library Fund 5,027.79
Capital Projects Fund 188,550.40
Land Management Fund 3,251.45
The County Board was in receipt of the Fund Balance report; there was a discussion regarding the status of bond payments and debt. Motion by Burger, seconded by Reisch, to approve the Fund Balance report, declared carried on a voice vote.
The County Board was in receipt of Auditor’s warrants paid on August 8, 13 and 15 of 2025; motion by Reisch, seconded by Williamson to acknowledge receipt of the warrants paid, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Burger, seconded by Williamson to authorize re-issuance of lost warrant #109583 for $142.82, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator and Auditor/Treasurer presented a draft document of the 2026 Budget that reflects a less than zero increase, however does not identify the following: COLA’s, health, liability/property/casualty and worker’s comp insurance increases, property rental revenues and expenditures and building maintenance expenditures. The preliminary levy must be adopted by September 30, 2025.
The Auditor/Treasurer reviewed Capital Projects Expenditure report identifying the funds already spent from reserves and the remaining balance, Road & Bridge Equipment funds and capital outlay and projects yet to be funded; more discussion to follow regarding the adoption of the 2025-2029 CIP.
The County Board was in receipt of Resolution No. 10-25, approving the 2025-2029 Capital Improvement Plan and the Preliminary Approval of the County’s General Obligation Capital Improvement Plan Bonds not to exceed $13,890,523; the Administrator stated that bonding would be utilized for the following projects: armory building renovation, HVAC repairs and building repairs at the Courthouse and Radio/Dispatch consoles at the Sheriff’s Office. After discussion, motion by Reisch, seconded by Burger to approve Resolution No. 10-25, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator stated that the county could have the option to utilize bonding proceeds to recover building project expenditures identified on the CIP that already have been paid. Motion by Reisch, seconded by Overgaard, to approve Resolution No. 11-25, Establishing Procedure Relating to Compliance with Reimbursement Bond Regulations Under the IRS Code, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator presented a building project update:
•Roof repairs to the west side of the Courthouse are in progress
•The LMO move date is still tracking at August 29
•Courthouse Phase 3 (3rd & 4th Floors) are nearing completion
•Law Enforcement Center building repair is in the process of obtaining price
quotes
The Administrator requested approval of an estimate from Schomacker’s Home Galleries for $20,756.44 for first floor of the Courthouse, completing the carpet project; motion by Thompson, seconded by Reisch, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Deputy Administrator gave an overview regarding the Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML), a law that mandates most employers provide paid leave benefits to eligible employees. This requirement can be met by participating in the state-run plan or by offering a private plan, which may be fully insured or self-funded. PFML offers two primary benefits: short-term paid leave with partial wage replacement and job protection for employees who have been with their employer for more than 90 days. Skattum stated the Rock County was part of an RFP process with Integrity Benefits; MetLife had a favorable bid with a rate of .79% (below the state’s rate of .88%) with a 2-year rate guarantee with (2) other fully insured products. MetLife comes with experience with claims management, compliance assistance, benefits integration, a streamlined claims process and employee education. On a recommendation by the Administrator’s office, motion by Reisch, seconded by Thompson, to approve the bid from MetLife to implement PFML benefits and make application to the state to offer a private plan, declared carried on a voice vote. PFML becomes effective January 1, 2026.
The County Board was in receipt of a Rock Home Initiative application from Dylan and Heather Klarenbeek; motion by Burger, seconded by Reisch, to set a Public Hearing for the RHI Abatement request on September 16, 2025, at 9:05
a. m. in the Herreid Board meeting room at the Rock Courthouse located on 204 E. Brown Street, Luverne, MN 56156, declared carried on a voice vote.
The County Board discussed recent legislation regarding changes to the Shotgun Zone, the repeal allows the use of rifles during the 2026 deer hunting season. Starting January 1, 2026, counties may adopt ordinances that restrict certain firearms during the deer hunting season. A model ordinance from the DNR is forthcoming; it was determined to discuss the issue with neighboring counties at the Fall AMC District VIII.
The Administrator reported on the following events: meeting with Senator Klobuchar’s Representative Chuck Ackman and together attended the CAP-CO2 Solutions meeting which will produce green methanol; attended state EMS meeting that reviewed and approved Rock County’s Emergency Management Plan; met with members of the Southwest Minnesota South Central Service Cooperative where health insurance rates for 2026 were discussed, Rock County’ current renewal is an increase of 19.9%; was in receipt of formal compliant regarding weed control on the rail road line in Beaver Creek township, met with representatives regarding a housing project in the City of Hardwick.
The Deputy Administrator stated that interviews for an Equipment Operator have been completed and an offer was made; also scheduled to complete interviews for the Administrative Assistant position for the University of Extension.
Commissioner Reisch stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Southwest Minnesota Opportunity Council.
Commissioner Williamson stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Rural Water, A.C.E., Soil & Water Conservation District.
Commissioner Burger stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Southwest Health & Human Services Finance Committee, A.C.E.
Commissioner Thompson stated that she attended the following meetings/events: Luverne Initiatives For Tomorrow.
Commissioner Overgaard stated that he attended the following meetings/events: A.C.E.; Overgaard was in receipt of an inquiry regarding a loan to the Rock County Ag Society to replace a roof on one of the buildings at the fairgrounds; the Ag Society is currently looking for grant opportunities.
With no further business to come before the County Board, the meeting was declared adjourned at 11:05 a.m. by Order of the Chair.
(10-02)
