Rock County Commissioners meet Nov. 19
Rock County Board of Commissioners November 19, 2024
Rock County Law Enforcement Center/Training Room 9:00 a.m.
The meeting was called to order by Chair Burger with all Commissioners present. Also in attendance were Administrator Kyle Oldre, Deputy Administrator Susan Skattum, County Attorney Jeff Haubrich, and Star-Herald Reporter Mavis Fodness.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Reisch, to approve the November 19, 2024, County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Reisch, to approve the November 05, 2024, County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote.
Mark Sehr, Engineer requested approval for out-of-state travel to attend the National County Engineer’s Association Annual Conference in Schaumburg, Illinois on April 2025; conference cost is $945 plus lodging and mileage. Motion by Williamson, seconded by Reisch, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Engineer requested approval of Resolution No. 15-24, approving the transfer of $812,978.09 from the MnDOT Municipal Construction Account to the Regular Construction Account as per Minnesota Statute 162.08, Subd 4(b); the Engineer stated that no public comment has been made since the November 5th Public Hearing. Motion by Reisch, seconded by Thompson, to approve Resolution No. 15-24, declared carried on a voice vote.
Sehr reported that MnDOT Land Management Unit is cleaning up its right-of way parcels in Rock County with following segments targeted in Rock County and Springwater Township for turnback:
•CSAH 7 and County Highway 559 to Truck Highway 23 (Rock County)
•County Highway 51 to Truck Highway 23 (Rock County)
•181st Street to Truck Highway 23 (Springwater Township)
The Engineer stated that the county has already been providing maintenance on the right-of ways, therefore recommends approval of the MnDOT turnback; motion by Overgaard, seconded by Williamson, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
Ashley Kurtz, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims and per diems of $900.00; motion by Reisch, seconded by Williamson, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote. A complete listing of the claims is available at the Auditor/Treasurer’s office.
NOVEMBER 19, 2024 CLAIMS OVER $2,000
BIG TOP TENT RENTALS 2,120.00
BRIGHTLY SOFTWARE INC 4,605.70
C & B OPERATIONS LLC 2,812.88
CHS INC 3,992.80
COUNTIES PROVIDING TECHNOLOGY 8,735.00
DMC WATERJET, LLC 3,894.48
DS SOLUTIONS INC 2,781.60
EMPIRE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 38,176.05
ERICKSON ENGINEERING 2,898.50
GEMINI ACOUSTICAL LLC 5,787.00
KETTERLING SERVICES INC 14,186.37
KITCHENS & WINDOWS UNLIMITED 54,085.14
LUVERNE/CITY OF 8,768.98
LYON COUNTY LANDFILL 20,253.64
M & EM HANDYMAN LLC 9,543.23
MN POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY 7,276.85
MORRIS ELECTRONICS 25,699.80
NUTRIEN AG SOLUTIONS 17,729.48
ROCK COUNTY OPPORTUNITIES 3,821.07
SANFORD HEALTH 5,310.00
SCHOMACKER FLOORING & APPLIANCE 10,968.11
SRF CONSULTING GROUP INC 6,932.33
TOLLEFSON PUBLISHING 3,972.84
TRUENORTH STEEL 6,240.66
VALHALLA PAINTING 23,229.00
VOGEL TRAFFIC SERVICES 2,358.94
WAYNE'S AUTO BODY 2,381.76
71 PAYMENTS LESS THAN $2,000 28,520.49
TOTAL $327,082.70
The County Board was in receipt of the Fund Balance report; motion by Overgaard, seconded by Thompson, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Auditor/Treasurer informed the County Board of a Rock Home Initiative application from Scott Van Dyken for new construction on parcel 06-0232-100 in Luverne Township. Motion by Thompson, seconded by Overgaard, to schedule a Public Hearing December 17, 2024, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Thompson, seconded by Burger to authorize the Auditor/Treasurer to re-issue lost warrant #105592 for $1,984.00, declared carried on a voice vote.
The County Board was in receipt of the 2023 Audit which reflected an “unmodified” or clean opinion. Compliance issues identified was a collateral issue at State Bank of Lismore and the review of Auditor warrants. Kurtz stated that the collateral issue will be a “non-issue” in 2024 and that she will develop new process for the County Board to review the Auditor warrants. It was noted the Rock County has an adequate balance of reserves in compliance with the Minnesota State Auditor’s Office. Motion by Reisch, seconded by Overgaard to approve the 2023 Audit Exit, declared carried on a voice vote.
The County Board was in receipt of report identifying the 2024 General Election Voter Turnout within Rock County; voter turnout was ninety-one percent.
The Auditor/Treasurer stated that Truth and Taxation notices will be mailed on November 20th. The Truth and Taxation Hearing is scheduled for December 3rd at 6:00 P.M. at the Rock County Law Enforcement Center; the County Board meeting of December 3rd will meet prior to the Truth and Taxation Hearing.
The County Board was in receipt of the 2025 Truth and Taxation rates; presented as information only.
Rock County Emergency Management Director Kyle Oldre requested approval of Resolution No. 16-24, the adoption of the Rock County Emergency Operations Plan. Motion by Burger, seconded by Overgaard, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Reisch, seconded by Thompson, to approve the renewal of a maintenance contract for 2025 with Johnson Controls with an annual cost of $65,800, a zero percent increase from 2024, declared carried on a voice vote.
The County Board was in receipt of a draft Cannabis Ordinance along with a zoning map of the county. The County Administrator and County Attorney identified specifics of the ordinance along with the timeline for possible adoption of the ordinance. Motion by Thompson, seconded by Reisch to schedule a Public Hearing on December 17, 2024, at 5:00 P.M. at the Rock County Law Enforcement Center, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator provided a building update stating the Phase II of the Courthouse project is in process and the Land Records Office has relocated to the Herreid Board meeting room, the Auditor/Treasurer’s office is awaiting finishing details within their office. The Building Committee along with staff from the Land Management Office met with Falls Architect Jeff Nelson regarding renovation plans for the Rock County Armory Building.
The Administrator informed the County Board that FEMA representatives are wrapping up their local presence in Rock County; currently, only one applicant has closed out on their FEMA claim.
The Administrator also stated that in addition to Emergency Management, building projects and the review of cannabis regulations, his has fielded several other economic development inquiries and that Open Enrollment is also wrapping up.
Commissioner Reisch attended the following meetings: Community Corrections, Budget Committee and Budget Committee.
Commissioner Williamson attended the following meetings: Building Committee, Rural Water, Canvassing, meeting with local resident regarding retail cannabis regulation.
Commissioner Overgaard attended the following meetings: Fair Board.
Commissioner Thompson attended the following meetings: Canvassing Committee, Southwest Regional Development Commission, LIFT
Commissioner Burger attended the following meetings: Southwest Health & Human Services Opioid Settlement, Southwest Minnesota Mental Health Consortium. Burger stated that mental health services are covered by the Southwest Minnesota Mental contract until December 31, 2024. Beth Wilms, SWHHS Director will present a list of vendors and services that will be in place effective January 01, 2025.
With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair.
(12-19)
