Rock County Commissioners meet Oct. 7
Rock County Board of Commissioners Oct. 7, 2025
Herreid Board Meeting Room 9:00 A.M.
Rock County Courthouse
Chair Overgaard called the meeting to order with all Commissioners present. Also in attendance were Administrator Kyle Oldre, Deputy Administrator Susan Skattum, County Attorney Jeff Haubrich, Sioux Valley Economic Development & Community Relations Executive Brandon Lane, and Star-Herald Reporter Mavis Fodness.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance.
Motion by Burger, seconded by Thompson, to approve the October 7, 2025, County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Williamson, seconded by Reisch, to approve the September 16, 2025, County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Reisch, seconded by Burger to call to order a public hearing at 9:03 A.M., for the purpose of allowing public comments for the approval of the Capital Improvement Plan and the Issuance of Capital Improvement Plan Bonds pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 373.40, declared carried on a voice.
A second public hearing was held for the CIP adoption and potential issuance of bonds was due to the omission of the petition process notification. There was no public comment offered.
Motion by Burger, seconded by Thompson, to close the public hearing, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Burger, seconded by Reisch, approved Resolution No. 15-25, giving preliminary approval for the issuance of General Obligation Capital Improvement Plan bonds in an amount not to exceed $2,500,000 and adopting the Rock County, Minnesota, Capital Improvement Plan, declared carried on a voice vote.
George Eilertson, Northland Securities Public Finance Director, was present by Zoom and reviewed time lines with the issuance of bonds that results with proceeds being available on December 30, 2025. Currently the county has an AA+ bond rating and would be subject to another rating and the interest rate would be determined at the time of the bond sale and terms. Oldre informed the County Board that the bond payment would be paid from wind revenues.
Ashley Kurtz, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims with an additional claim from Bremik Materials for $76,349.22 and per diems of $2,700.00. Motion by Reisch, seconded by Thompson, 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 223,736.50
Public Works Fund 404,183.63
Library Fund 2,981.55
Capital Projects Fund 107,550.00
Land Management Fund 5,639.37
The County Board was in receipt of the Fund Balance report; the Water Plan fund still reflected a negative balance due to outstanding grant revenues. The Auditor/Treasurer and LMO Director have transferred funds from Soil & Water Conservation District to correct the issue. Motion by Thompson, seconded by Williamson, to approve the Fund Balance report, declared carried on a voice vote.
The County Board was in receipt of the Auditor Warrants listing for 09/19/2025, 09/26/2025 and 10/03/2025; motion by Reisch, seconded by Burger to acknowledge receipt, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Williamson, seconded by Reisch, to issue a credit card for Sheriff Matthew Sorenson for applicable transactions for Sheriff’s Office, declared carried on a voice vote. The credit card for Evan Verbrugge was cancelled effective 09/30/2025.
There was a discussion regarding Ditch 3 and the Engineer’s estimate of $20,000 in repairs which would result in an assessment back to the users. After discussion, the County Board directed the Highway Engineer to schedule a Ditch Committee meeting to discuss the needed repairs.
Jeff Bonar, CEO of CapCO2 Solutions and Ron Honken, CapCO2 Solutions Renewal Energy Liaison, together presented a business overview of the CapCO2 Solutions Company which will use technology to produce green methanol by utilizing the waste product from ethanol. Bonar explained that green methanol is in high demand and ethanol production has issues utilizing the CO2 waste product, thus is the reason for partnering with ethanol plants. Green methanol is utilized in many consumer products and will potentially be used by the shipping industry as fuel. CapCO2 Solutions is partnered with Bosch-Nissko and the project is scheduled to begin construction at the Gevo Ethanol site in the next couple of weeks; operations are scheduled for January of 2027. The County Board thanked Bonar and Honken for the update.
Calla Jarvie, Rock County Community Library Director, presented an update of the Association for Rural and Small Library Conference that she recently attended in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Jarvie stated that the conference is always well attended and topics presented were: marketing strategies for library services, dealing with difficult patrons and many other topics of which some have already been presented.
The Administrator led a brief discussion regarding the federal shutdown and the services that will be affected at the state and local level; presented as informational.
Motion by Reisch, seconded by Thompson, to schedule a public hearing on November 4, 2025, to allow public comment for a proposed Rock Home Initiative abatement for Dylan and Heather Klarenbeek, declared carried on a voice vote. The public hearing will be in the Herreid Board meeting room of the Rock County Courthouse at 204 E. Brown Street; Luverne, MN 56156.
The County Board was in receipt of the AMC District VIII meeting notice scheduled for October 23, at the Event Center in Worthington, MN.
The Administrator presented a follow up of the county’s participation of the Futures Leaders Program, a program bringing awareness of local units of government and how to be in public service to the next generation of young entrepreneurs. The role of a County Commissioner will be featured at the next leadership meeting scheduled for October 27, 2025.
The Administrator reviewed the MCIT Delegates for the MCIT Annual meeting scheduled for December 8; it was determined to leave the delegates the same, that being Kyle Oldre and Commissioner Thompson as the alternate.
The Administrator presented the status of the following building projects:
•Kahler Terrace is completed and final payment has been issued
•Armory construction still ongoing
•Roof at Courthouse nearing completion
•Building repairs at LEC, still awaiting a quote/bid price
The Administrator stated he had met with Ellis & Eastern regarding the FEMA claim denial for damages incurred to the BRRRA during the 2024 Excessive Rain event; Ellis & Eastern indicated they will reach out to the Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem regarding the denial and appeal process. Also stated that his office is applying for grants for the Kanaranzi park equipment project, and had met with Highway Union reps to discuss options for the 2026 health insurance renewal.
The Administrator briefly reviewed the “The Boys in the Light” booking signing event by Nina Willner.
Commissioner Reisch stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Community Corrections and Chief Elected Officials Board Private Industry Council (CEOB).
Commissioner Williamson stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Soil & Water Conservation District.
Commissioner Burger stated that he attended the following meetings/events: (2) Southwest Health & Human Services, Community Corrections, Adult Mental Health Consortium, Supporting Hands-Nurse Family Partnership and Sheriff Verbrugge’s retirement open house and Sheriff Soreson’s swearing in ceremony.
Commissioner Thompson stated that she attended the following meetings/events: Sheriff Verbrugge’s retirement open house and Sheriff Sorenson’s swearing in ceremony and Luverne Initiatives For Tomorrow.
Commissioner Overgaard stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Southwest Health & Human Services, Solid Waste, Rural Energy, Planning & Zoning Sheriff Verbrugge’s retirement open house and Sheriff Sorenson’s swearing in ceremony.
With no further business to come before the County Board, the meeting was declared adjourned by Order of the Chair.
(11-20)
