Rock County Commissioners meet Jan. 7
Rock County Board of Commissioners January 7, 2025
Rock County Law Enforcement Center/Training Room 9:00 A.M.
The meeting was called to order by Administrator Oldre with Commissioners Gary Overgaard (District 1), Stan Williamson (District 2), Sherri Thompson (District 4) and Jody Reisch (District 5); Greg Burger (District 3) was absent. Also in attendance were County Attorney Jeff Haubrich and Deputy Administrator Susan Skattum, Sioux Valley Energy Representative Brandon Lane and Star-Herald Reporter Mavis Fodness.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance.
The Administrator requested nominations for the County Board Chair; motion by Thompson, seconded by Reisch to nominate Commissioner Overgaard, declared carried on a voice vote. The Administrator called three times for nominations for County Board Chair; motion by Reisch, seconded by Thompson to have nominations cease and cast a unanimous ballot for Commissioner Overgaard to serve as the Chair, declared carried on a voice vote.
The meeting was turned over to Chair Overgaard.
The Chair requested nominations for Vice Chair of the County Board; motion by Thompson, seconded by Reisch, to nominate Commissioner Williamson, declared carried on a voice vote. The Chair called three times for nominations for Vice Chair; motion by Reisch, seconded by Thompson to have nominations cease and cast a unanimous ballot for Commissioner Williamson to serve as Vice Chair, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Reisch, seconded by Thompson, to approve the January 07, 2025, County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Reisch, seconded by Williamson, to approve the County Board minutes of December 17, 2024, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Williamson, seconded by Reisch, to call to order a Public Hearing at 9:03 A.M., declared carried on a voice vote. The purpose of the public hearing is to allow comment regarding a Rock County Initiative abatement request for Scott VanDyken. The total estimated abatement is $4,664 for a period of five years. There were no attendees or written comments submitted.
Motion by Reisch, seconded by Thompson, to close the public hearing at 9:05 A.M., declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Reisch, seconded by Williamson, to approve the consent agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
1. Rock County Resolution 02-25, 2025 Prioritized Bridge Replacement List
The County Board was in receipt of Resolution 03-25, a RHI Abatement for Scott VanDyken; motion by Thompson, seconded by Reisch, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
Ashley Kurtz, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims for December 31, 2024, and January 07, 2025, along with per diems of $4,800.00. Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Reisch, to approve the claims and per diems as presented, declared carried on a unanimous 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 216,524.33
Public Works Fund 323,869.94
Library Fund 4,373.80
Land Management Fund 8,412.10
The County Board was in receipt of Auditor warrant listings that were paid on December 20, 2024 through January 3, 2025; presented as information only.
The County Board was in receipt of the Fund Balance report as of 12/31/2024; there was a brief discussion regarding the status of bond payments in 2025. Motion by Thompson, seconded by Reisch, to approve the Fund Balance report, declared carried on a voice vote.
The County Board was in receipt of the 2024 Gravel Tax Collection and Distribution. Total collected was $210,485.39, a 7.70% increase from 2023. The gravel tax revenue was distributed as follows:
Road & Bridge - $84,983.50
Special Reserve Fund - $29,994.19
Admin Fees $10,524.20
Townships - $87,983.50
The Administrator presented a buildings project update: Phase III of the Courthouse is moving forward and awaiting a bid; awaiting renovation plans for the Armory Building and a price quote for fiber to add the Armory Building; and working with Johnson Controls regarding heat pump at Law Enforcement Center and HVAC units at the Courthouse.
The Administrator discussed a proposed contract renewal with Ketterling Sanitation, Inc. for transporting Municipal Solid Waste materials to the Lyon County Regional Landfill. The 5-year contract includes an inflationary adjustment and fuel adjustment totaling twenty percent. Motion by Williamson, seconded by Reisch, to approve the 5-year contract renewal with an effective date of 01/01/2025, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Thompson, seconded by Williamson, to enter a service contract with Morris Electronics to provide IT/Network support for annual cost of $64,888.00, declared carried on a voice vote.
The County Board was informed of training opportunities for Board of Appeal and Equalization; statute requires (2) certifications of the Board of Appeal and Equalization (aka the County Board) and currently all certifications have expired. Commissioners Reisch, Thompson and Overgaard indicated that they would obtain the certification.
The County Board was in receipt of a DRAFT listing of Boards and Committee appointments; presented as information only.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Williamson to set the registration fee for Temporary Cannabis Events at $1,000 per event, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator discussed the upcoming Housekeeping Resolution with potential changes to include the 2025 Mileage Reimbursement rate changing to $.70/mile, based on the IRS mileage reimbursement rate and also discussed meeting per diem rates; discussion included raising the per diem rates from $100/day to $150/day for Commissioner per diems and $75/day to $100/day for SWCD and other board and committee appointments. After discussion, motion by Thompson, seconded by Williamson, to approve Resolution No. 01-25, Housekeeping Resolution to include to proposed changes, declared carried on a voice vote.
Resolution No. 01-25 Housekeeping Resolution
WHEREAS, that the County Commissioners, elected Officials and Appointees are hereby authorized to attend meetings by State or Federal Departments and informational meetings pertaining to each of the offices as may be called from time to time; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 288, Laws of Minnesota, 1975, provided that the County Board may advance any authorized person the estimated costs of traveling to and attending meetings both within and outside that state of official business; and
WHEREAS, the Auditor/Treasurer is authorized to issue Per Diem and mileage reimbursement to board and committee members for meeting attendance as follows:
•County Commissioners; paid as a payroll expense ($150/day cba 01/07/25)
•Soil & Water Board members; paid as a payroll expenses ($100/day cba
01/07/25)
•All other appointed boards and committee members; paid as an Commis-
sioner’s warrant ($100/day cba 01/07/25)
WHEREAS that the mileage reimbursement be set at $.70 per mile as per
the IRS allowable reimbursable limit;
WHEREAS that meal reimbursements shall be actual expenses not to exceed $35.00 per day;
BE IT RESOLVED that upon presentation and allowance by said Board of County Commissioners of a properly verified claim, the County Auditor/Treasurer is hereby authorized to reimburse each of such persons for the actual and necessary expense in attending such meetings. In no case shall the maximum amount of expense inclusive of transportation paid each delegate exceed the sum allowed by law; and
RESOLVED, Rock County will adhere to Resolution No. 10-09, authorizing the Auditor/Treasurer to pay certain claims made against the County; and
RESOLVED, Rock County will adhere to the Rock County Accounting Policies and Procedures Manual, adopted May 19, 2009; and
RESOLVED that the County Auditor/Treasurer is hereby authorized to make temporary fund transfers from time to time as required to maintain non-deficient fund balances or to issue warrants in payment of approved obligations of the County; and
RESOLVED Minnesota Statues provide that County Boards may annually set aside up to 20% of remaining fund balances in the County’s Forfeited Tax Sale Fund for the acquisition and maintenance of county parks or recreational areas; and
RESOLVED Rock County will adhere to the provisions of Resolution 24-07, an Amended Rock County Investment Policy in designating depository banks;
BE IT RESOLVED that Rock County approves departmental Petty Cash and Change funds as per County Board action of October 17, 2023;
Auditor/Treasurer Change Fund $1,000.00
Land Records Office Change Fund (est. 09/03/24) 100.00
Extension Change Fund 25.00
License Center Change Fund 200.00
Sheriff’s Office Change Fund 50.00
Transfer Station Change Fund 100.00
Library Change Fund 200.00
Rural Water Change Fund 75.00
Rock-Nobles Community Corrections Fund 200.00
BE IT RESOLVED that the Star Herald of Luverne be designated the Official Newspaper for the County of Rock for the publication of all Public Hearings, Public Meetings, Legal Notices, List of Delinquent Real Estate Taxes as of January 1, 2025, proceedings of the County Board and all other matter required by law to be published in a legal newspaper; and
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Rock County Administrator will serve as the Data Practices Compliance Officer and;
BE IT RESOLVED to set the following hours open to the general public for county buildings:
Land Management Office 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Extension Office 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Highway Department 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Courthouse 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Law Enforcement Center/Community Corrections8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Rock County Sheriff’s Office 24 hours
Rural Water 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Library 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM M-T
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM F
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Sat
Hours are subject to change upon a Public Notice.
NOW THERE FOR BE IT RESOLVED that on this 7th day of January, 2025, the Rock County Board of Commissioners resolves the afore mentioned items.
The Administrator informed the County Board of upcoming conferences and January and February and discussed a few topics of the upcoming legislative session.
Commissioner Reisch stated that he attended the following meetings/events: no meetings.
Commissioner Williamson stated that he attended the following meetings/events: no meetings.
Commissioner Overgaard stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Economic Development Authority, Annual Township, AMC Extension zoom meeting.
Commissioner Thompson stated that she attended the following meetings/events: no meetings.
With no further business to come before the County Board, motion by Reisch, seconded by Thompson, to adjourn the meeting, declared carried on a voice vote.
(03-06)
