Rock County Commissioners meet May 5
Rock County Board of Commissioners May 5, 2026
Herreid Board Room - Rock County Courthouse 9:00 A.M.
Chair Williamson called the meeting to order with all present. Also in attendance were 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 and Allen Saakyan.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Reisch, to approve the May 5, 2026, County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Thompson, to approve the April 21,2026, County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote.
Allen Saakyan, county resident, led a discussion regarding video recordings of County Board meetings; the chaptered recordings will be posted on a county-owned YouTube channel that will allow residents to view and listen to County Board meetings. Saakyan stated that work will be offered pro bono and he will use his personal equipment. The County Administrator added that there are no up front costs to the county and County Board meetings are open to the public.
Mark Sehr, Engineer, presented the following bids for a MACK Granite GU 713 Tandem Axle dump truck with plow attachments:
•Nuss Truck & Equipment for tandem axle cab/chassis - $180,378.64 (state bid)
•Towmaster for dump body and attachments - $221,721.00 (state bid)
Sehr explained that to secure the order for 2026 truck chassis, dump box and attachments, the order needs to take place soon for a 2027 delivery date; motion by Reisch, seconded by Overgaard to authorize the Engineer to purchase the MACK Granite GU 713 Tandem axle dump truck with plow attachments from the state bid for a total of $402,099.64 to be paid from wind revenues, declared carried on a voice vote. The new truck will replace a 13-year truck which will be declared surplus at a later date.
The Engineer gave a brief construction update on CSAH 20; no action was taken.
Ashley Kurtz, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims and Per Diems of $3,150.00; motion by Thompson, seconded by Reisch, to approve, 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 89,074.16
Public Works Fund 146,545.59
Library Fund 3,196.25
Capital Projects Fund 10,155.97
Land Management Fund 4,028.58
The County Board was in receipt of the Fund Balance report which reflected property tax revenue; the Auditor/Treasurer stated that online e-Payment is highly utilized. Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Thompson, to approve the Fund Balance report, declared carried on a voice vote.
The County Board was in receipt of Auditor Warrants paid on 04/24/2026 and 05/01/2026; motion by Overgaard, seconded by Reisch to acknowledge receipt of the Auditor Warrants, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Auditor/Treasurer informed the County Board of the Notice of Expiration of Redemption, which is a listing of property taxes that have been delinquent for a period of three years. Upon the posted notice, the property owner has 60 days to redeem the property, if no payment has been made, the county begins the forfeiture process. No action was required.
The Auditor/Treasurer presented a tax abatement of $42.00 on parcel 11-0026-000 in Springwater Township, the property was assessed a solid waste assessment by error; motion by Overgaard, seconded by Reisch, to approve the abatement, declared carried on a voice vote.
Kurtz presented an election update stating that filing elected positions of state and county begins May 19 – June 2, 20206; filing for cities and township municipalities will be in July. Kurtz reviewed the procedures for early voting stating that the requirements are to provide a dedicated space to allow registered voters to vote; she is in the process of developing a plan. Also stated that the county will need to purchase an additional DS200 ballot machine; motion by Thompson, seconded by Reisch to authorize the Auditor/Treasurer to purchase the additional ballot machine, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator informed the County Board that the Dispatcher Union represented by LELS have approved the 2026-2028 contract; motion by Reisch, seconded by Williamson, to approve the Dispatcher Union contract for 2026-2028, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator stated that the Department of Homeland Security has been reinstated and FEMA has been funded; Oldre is in the process of working the through the back payment process for the BRRRA FEMA claim.
The Administrator informed the County Board that Rural Water is not eligible for a Minnesota Rural Water Loan as they do not qualify; qualifications state the organization must serve a multi-county area and Rural Water serves a single county. The project is delayed until financing has been determined.
The Administrator stated the County and Deputy Union represented by LELS have reached a tentative agreement and that the Sergeant Union will also be represented by LELS; negotiations with the Sergeant Union are forthcoming.
The Deputy Administrator stated that interviews have been conducted for an Equipment Operator and an Engineering Tech and job offers have been accepted.
The Administrator informed the County Board that there was no grant award from the Lyon County Riverboat Foundation for the Kanaranzi Park project.
Commissioner Reisch stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Union negotiations.
Commissioner Overgaard stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Magnolia Fire Department event, Lyon County Riverboard Foundation award ceremony. Overgaard inquired about scheduling an Employee Appreciation picnic.
Commissioner Thompson stated that she attended the following meetings/events: Lyon County Riverboard Foundation award ceremony, ACE Annual meeting, LIFT
Commissioner Williamson stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Union negotiations; also informed the County Board that the Prairie Rose Foundation distributed $40,000 in grant awards.
With no further business coming before the County Board, the meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair.
(06-11)
