Rock County Commissioners meet July 7
Rock County Board of Commissioners July 7, 2026
Herreid Board Room 9:00 A.M.
Rock County Courthouse
Chair Williamson called the meeting to order with all present along with Administrator Kyle Oldre, Deputy Administrator Susan Skattum, County Attorney Jeff Haubrich, Star Herald reporter Nicole Ronchetti, Sioux Valley Energy Representative Brandon Lane, county residents Carol Morgan, Rick Peterson, Keith Elbers, Deon Carriere.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance.
Motion by Reisch, seconded by Overgaard, to approve the County Board Agenda of 7 July 2026, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Thompson, to approve the County Board meeting minutes of 16 June 2026 and Board of Equalization meeting minutes of 16 June 2006 Board of Equalization, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Reisch, to approve the consent agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
1. SEH Agreement; SEH Agreement is a renewal contract for 2026 monitoring and reporting for the Transfer Station
Emily Crabtree, Rock County Community Foundation Director, formerly Luverne Area Community Foundation. Crabtree presented an update of the new name, Rock County Community Foundation and the rebranding process that took place. The new name has been well received in the local communities and Crabtree encouraged the commissioners to discuss the community foundation with their constituents.
Ryan Holtz, Rural Water Systems Director, informed the county board that Rural Water has been awarded a $1 million US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant for the south water tower project. The 2024 grant application identified for the new construction of a south water tower, with the modifications. Holtz requested approval to accept the grant. Motion by Reisch, seconded by Williamson, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
Holtz requested to appoint authorizing signatures of the grant, by order of the Chair that authorizing signatures will be Administrator Kyle Oldre and Auditor/Treasurer Ashley Kurtz.
Holtz informed the county board that he has been appointed as the Minnesota Representative to the National Rural Water Association.
Ashley Kurtz, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims with an additional claim to Empire Construction. Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Reisch, to approve the claims, declared 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 119,452.50
Public Works Fund 105,258.97
Library Fund 2,945.33
Capital Projects Fund 176,588.68
Land Management Fund 1,914.92
The County Board was in receipt of the Fund Balance report. The Auditor/Treasurer indicated she was investigating why the Transfer Station fund reflected a negative balance and is delaying a fund transfer until an accurate amount can be determined. Motion by Thompson, seconded by Overgaard to approve the Fund Balance report, declared carried on a voice vote.
The County Board was in receipt of Auditor warrants paid on 06/18/2026, 06/26/2026 and 07/02/2026; motion by Overgaard, seconded by Reisch, to acknowledge receipt of the Auditor warrants, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Auditor/Treasurer requested authorization to re-issue lost warrants #15365 for $329.11 and #111950 for $868.68; motion by Reisch, seconded Thompson, approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
Stacy Timm, Southwest Health & Human Services Director, presented a review via zoom, of the SNAP federal program which historically was paid in full by the federal government. Effective October 1, 2026, Minnesota will be responsible for paying for a share of the SNAP benefits - 75% of the administrative costs, an increase of 25%. The cost is paid by counties through the local property tax levy. Timm went on to state the current JPA states the maximum levy request to the member counties cannot exceed 10%; the organization need is projected at 15%. The County Board thanked Timm for the update.
The Administrator stated that the June 29 meeting with city municipalities to discuss assessment and law enforcement contract renewals went well, currently new five-year contracts for 2027-2031 are being developed to present to each council for approval.
The County Board was informed that Calla Jarvie, Rock County Library Director was a feature story in the Minnesota Farm Bureau June publication.
The Administrator stated that all departments are in the process of developing the 2027 Budget; also gave a brief buildings update.
Commissioner Reisch stated that he attended the following meetings/events: meeting with city municipalities to discuss assessment and law enforcement contract renewals.
Commissioner Overgaard stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Southwest Health & Human Services, meeting with city municipalities to discuss assessment and law enforcement contract renewals.
Commissioner Thompson stated that she attended the following meetings/events: Plum Creek Regional Library, A.C.E. and meeting with city municipalities to discuss assessment and law enforcement contract renewals.
Commissioner Williamson stated that he attended the following meetings/events: meeting with city municipalities to discuss assessment and law enforcement contract renewals.
With no further business coming before the County Board, the meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair.
(09-03)
