Rock County Commissioners met Sept. 22
Rock County Board of Commissioners September 22, 2026
Herreid Board Room - Rock County Courthouse 9:00 A.M.
Chair Williamson called the meeting to order with Commissioners Peterson, Thompson, Overgaard and Reisch present; also in attendance were Administrator Oldre, Deputy Administrator Skattum, County Attorney Jeff Haubrich, Star Herald Report Nicole Ronchetti and county residents Carol Morgan, Deon Carriere, Keith Elbers.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance.
Motion by Reisch, seconded by Overgaard, to approve the September 22, 2026 County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Thompson, to approve the September 08, 2026 County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote.
Ashley Kurtz, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims; motion by Overgaard, seconded by Reisch, to authorize payment of the claims and per diems, 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 101,041.10
Public Works Fund 63,914.75
Library Fund 6,308.95
Land Management Fund 4,924.77
The County Board was in receipt of the Fund Balance report; motion by Thompson, seconded by Peterson, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Peterson acknowledging receipt of the Auditor Warrants paid on September 11 and September 18, 2026, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Auditor/Treasurer presented a local option Disaster Abatement request for Jason and Shawna Brandt on parcel 09-0150-000 for $528.47 due to fire damage of the house in 2025. Motion by Reisch, seconded by Thompson, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote. The Auditor/Treasurer went on to say that additional credits/adjustments are forthcoming for 2026 taxes payable in 2027.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Reisch, to schedule a Public Hearing for October 20, 2026 to allow public comment on (3) Rock Home Initiative Abatements for Kyle and Anna Heronimus, Jason and Shawn Brandt, Katie Aase, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Thompson, to approve Resolution No. 20-06, Establishing a County Absentee Ballot Board, Mail Ballot Board and UOCAVA Ballot Board for the 2026 State General Election, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator and Auditor/Treasurer reviewed the proposed 2027 budget levy; motion by Overgaard, seconded by Peterson to set the 2027 Preliminary Levy at $8,227,386, a 5% increase, declared carried on a voice vote.
Mark Sehr, Engineer, presented Resolution No. 17-26, a Local Bridge Replacement Program Grant Agreement with MnDOT for SAP 067-611-013; motion by Thompson, seconded by Reisch, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote. The grant agreement will provide $59,725 for the project.
The Engineer presented Resolution No. 18-26, Local Bridge Replacement Program Grant Agreement with MnDOT for SAP 067-607-021; motion by Overgaard, seconded by Peterson, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote. The grant agreement will provide $125,827.50 for the project.
The Engineer requested authorization to bid let project SP 067-608-017, a bridge replacement project over Mound Creek on CSAH 8, on the east side of the Blue Mound State Park on October 19, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. Motion by Thompson, seconded by Overgaard, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Engineer requested approval of Resolution No. 21-26, a MnDOT Federal Aid Advance Construction Agreement for SP 067-608-017 scheduled for 2027; motion by Overgaard, seconded by Reisch, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Engineer gave a brief construction update on CSAH 6; no action was taken.
Eric Hartman, Land Management Office Director, requested approval of Resolution Nol 19-26, the adoption of a Southwest Regional Solid Waste Plan; motion by Overgaard, seconded by Reisch, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
Alan Saakyan, county resident, led a discussion regarding the broadcasting of County Board meetings, a request that was tabled from the August 18, 2026, meeting. The Administrator stated that there is interest from the private sector, Star Media with Tollefson Publishing and that the county will not compete with the private sector.
The Administrator presented an update regarding painting the exterior of the Armory Building and presented (3) estimates:
•Primeline Painting - $25,000; includes power washing the stucco and brick, clean out gutters, (2) coats of paint and clean up
•Superior Caulking 0 $54,850.80; includes power washing the stucco and brick, clean out gutters, (2) coats of paint and recaulk window frames and patch and repair loose stucco
•M & Em Handyman - $24,100; includes power washing the stucco and brick, clean out gutters, (2) coats of paint and clean up
There was considerable discussion regarding the potential repair of the stucco. By order of the Chair, the building issue was tabled and deferred to the Building Committee to research the repair issue with the vendors.
The Administrator presented an update regarding the recruitment process for the County Administrator’s position and presented the following proposals:
GMP Consultants - $20,000 – 25,750 plus other incidentals DDA Human Resources, Inc - $26,000 (includes all ala carte services)
Motion by Reisch, seconded by Thompson, to accept the proposal from DDA Human Resources, Inc. for $26,000, contingent upon a favorable review from the County Attorney, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator informed the County Board that he attended a Farm Services Agency Emergency Services meeting where drought conditions have been monitored over the past 12-months; drought conditions in 2026 are like drought conditions from 1976, the worst conditions ever recorded. The crop yields will continue to be monitored.
Commissioner Reisch stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Community Corrections, Southwestern Minnesota Opportunity Council
Commissioner Overgaard stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Planning & Zoning, Hardwick City Council.
Commissioner Thompson stated that she attended the following meetings/events: Library, Southwest Regional Development Commission, LIFT, Charter Amendment event.
Commissioner Peterson stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Southwest Health & Human Services, Community Corrections, AMC Policy Conference
Commissioner Williamson stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Rural Water
With no further business coming before the County Board, the meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair.
(10-15)
