Rock County Commissioners meet June 17
Rock County Board of Commissioners June 17, 2025
Herreid Board Meeting Room 5:00 P.M.
Rock County Courthouse
Chair Overgaard called the meeting to order with all Commissioners present. Also in attendance were Administrator Kyle Oldre and Star-Herald Reporter Mavis Fodness.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance.
Motion by Thompson, seconded by Reisch, to approve the June 17, 2025, County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Burger, seconded by Reisch, to approve the June 03, 2025, County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Williamson, seconded by Overgaard, to approve the Consent Agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
1. Law Enforcement Contract for the City of Kenneth, effective July 1, 2025, – December 31, 2026.
Michelle Baumhoefner and Linda Wenzel of A.C.E. presented a 2024 activity report for Rock County that resulted in 690 volunteers donating 53,835 of service hours, reflecting a slight increase from 2023. Also stated that the current federal grant will not be renewed leaving a $181,099 funding gap in 2026 budget. The County Board thanked them for their presentation and asked that they continue to provide updates to the County Administrator as they work on their budget for 2026.
Mark Sehr, Engineer presented Resolution No. 08-25, Local Bridge Replacement Program Grant Agreement for SAP 067-603-033, the engineer stated that the grant, in the amount of $67,614.75, will help fund the bridge replacement with a box culvert south of Kenneth on County Road 3. Motion Burger second Reisch to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
Ryan Holtz, Rural Water Systems Manager presented a request from Minnesota Department of Agriculture to install a weather station on property owned by RCRW. After discission, motion by Williamson, seconded by Overgaard to allow the installation of the weather service equipment on the county owned property, declared carried voice vote.
Eric Hartman, Land Management Office Director, presented a staffing update at Land Management Office, he informed the County Board that Arlyn Gehrke was promoted to Deputy Director replacing the retiring Doug Bos. Hartman also stated that due to uncertainties with state and federal funding he is not requesting to replace the technician position vacated by Gehrke at this time. The board thanked him for his update.
Ashley Kurtz, Auditor/Treasurer presented the claims for payment with an additional claim for $8,800 for UCAP; motion by Thompson, seconded by Williamson, to approve declared carried on a unanimous 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 174,395.09
Public Works Fund 208,069.05
Library Fund 2,389.35
Veterans Memorial Fund 45.00
Land Management Fund 5,062.56
The County Board was in receipt of the Fund Balance report; motion by Burger, seconded by Reisch, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
The County Board was in receipt of the Auditor warrants for June 5, June 6 and June 13, 2025; motion by Thompson, seconded Williamson, acknowledging the receipt of Auditor Warrants, declared carried on a voice vote.
The County Board was in receipt of the 2025 Appropriations listing; presented as informational.
Commissioner Reisch stated that he attended the following meetings/events:
JASPER AMBULANCE $5,789.00
EDGERTON AMBULANCE $2,894.00
ROCK COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY $25,000.00
ROCK COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY $20,000.00
SW ARTS & HUMANITIES COUNCIL $1,000.00
LUVERNE AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION $28,648.00
SOUTHERN MN TOURISM ASSOCIATION $500.00
EXPLORE SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA $1,500.00
GREEN EARTH PLAYERS $1,000.00
SOUTHWEST INITIATIVE FOUNDATION $3,000.00
LUVERNE AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION $10,000.00
LUVERNE AMERICAN LEGION $300.00
HARDWICK AMERICAN LEGION $300.00
SW MN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD $2,530.00
HILLS AMERICAN LEGION $300.00
PACHOLL-MOSER POST #2603 $300.00
$103,061.00
Administrator Oldre presented a building update on the projects currently underway in the county; Armory remodel work has started and work continues at the Courthouse on the 3rd and 4th floors.
AMC District Meeting/Legislative Update was provided by Commissioners Burger, Reisch, and Overgaard as well as Administrator Oldre.
The County Board was in receipt correspondence and population estimate from the State Demographer Susan Brower. The estimate (as of April 1, 2024) indicates that Rock County has 3,962 households and a population of 9,527.
Commissioner Reisch stated that he attended the following meetings/events: AMC District 8, Southwest MN Opportunity Council.
Commissioner Williamson stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Rural Water, Soil & Water Conservation District, Extension.
Commissioner Burger stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Southwest Health & Human Services Personnel meeting, AMC District 8.
Commissioner Thompson stated that she attended the following meetings/events: none
Commissioner Overgaard stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Vienna Township, AMC District 8, Planning & Zoning work session, Planning & Zoning regular meeting, Extension.
With no further business to come before the County Board, the meeting was declared adjourned by Order of the Chair.
(08-21)
