Rock County Commissioners meet March 3Rock County Board of Commissioners March 03, 2026Herreid Board Meeting Room 9:00 A.M.Rock County Courthouse Chair Williamson called the meeting to order with all Commissioners present. Also in attendance were Administrator Kyle Oldre, Deputy Administrator Susan Skattum, County Attorney Jeff Haubrich, Star-Herald Reporter Lori Sorenson, and Sioux Valley Energy Representative Brandon Lane. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance. Motion by Reisch, seconded by Overgaard, to approve the March 03, 2026, County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Thompson, seconded by Overgaard, to approve the February 17, 2026, County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote. Stacey Timm, Southwest Health & Human Services Director along with other Department Head representatives provided program updates on the following: population that the agency serves in the multicounty region, a 2026 Strategic Plan, audit and financial, public health, children and adult programming, waiver spending, staffing, DHS updates and mandates that will impact reimbursements and legislative priorities. The County Board thanked all SWHHS staff for the services that are provided to Rock County residents. Calla Jarvie, Community Library Director presented an overview of library annual report: 3,805 registered users, this statistic remains stable; increased utilization with public internet and computer usage, wireless sessions, total circulation, programming and attendance. Jarvie was happy to report that overall, the public utilizes library materials and services. Mark Sehr, Engineer, was present to review a proposed repair to Judicial Ditch No 2 at the intersection of 221st Street crossing; a hydraulic capacity analysis was conducted with the following recommendation of replacing the existing 60” CMP with a 72” CMP or an additional 36” CMP to be added to the existing 60” CMP. The analysis also identified if any additional hydraulic capacity is provided by a 72” CMP at the 221st Street crossing, the additional water will basically be stored in the open ditch between 211th Street and 221st Street until it goes through the Judicial Ditch #2 outlet. Property owners located downstream of the Judicial Ditch #2 outlet expressed concerns of the potential increase of hydraulic capacity. Also present was Assistant County Attorney Don Klosterbuer to address questions regarding the 2010 improvement process; Klosterbuer stated that as part of the 2010 improvement, property owners located downstream received a damaged payment for any damages incurred due to the 2010 improvement and that no other agreements were on file regarding future repairs. Sehr stated that the cost of the repairs for Judicial Ditch #2 would be paid from Judicial Ditch #2 maintenance funds. After a brief discussion, motion by Overgaard, seconded by Williamson, to move forward with replacing the 60” CMP with a 72” CMP at the 221st Street crossing, declared carried on a voice vote. Sehr presented the bid results for (3) box culvert projects SAP 067-619-004, SAP 067-559-187, SAP 067-599-189: Midwest Contracting, LLC $647,833.00 Henning Construction - $660,430.85 R & G Construction Co. - $668,716.00 After discussion, motion by Overgaard, seconded by Reisch, to accept the low compliant bid from Midwest Contracting for $647,833.00, declared carried on a voice vote. Ashley Kurtz, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims with an addition of $245.00; motion Overgaard, seconded by Reisch, to approve the claims as presented, 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 41,067.52 Public Works Fun 24,599.28 Library Fund 9,799.53 Capital Projects Fund 1,620.00 Land Management Fund 3,655.76 The County Board was in receipt of the Fund Balance report; upon a review, motion by Overgaard, seconded by Williamson, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote. The County Board was in receipt of the Auditor’s warrants paid on 02/17/2026, 02/20/2026 and 02/27/2026; motion by Overgaard, seconded by Thompson acknowledging receipt of the Auditor’s warrants, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Reisch, seconded by Thompson, to re-issue lost warrant # 111264 payable to Sandy’s Customer Workroom for $2,389.50, declared carried on a voice vote. The Auditor/Treasurer reviewed the process for filling the vacant commissioner seat for District 3. A special election will be held and will run concurrently with the primary election in August and general election in November. Filing timelines for the special election will be May 19, 2026 – June 2, 2026. Motion by Reisch, seconded by Overgaard, to approve Resolution No. 07-26, acknowledging the resignation of County Commissioner Greg Burger, declaring a vacancy on the County Board and calling for a special election, declared carried on a voice vote. The County Board was in receipt of a notice from the Minnesota Department of Revenue certifying the 2026 wind energy production tax in Rock County during the 2025 calendar year; Rock County will receive $1,133,665 in wind energy revenue, an increase of .67% from 2025. The County Board was informed that Rock County Rural Water has been selected for a Facilities Energy Audit grant award sponsored by the Southwest Regional Development Commission (SRDC). The grant award supports energy and climate resiliency efforts of the SRDC Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategies Block Grant Program. Motion by Thompson, seconded by Williamson to approve the grant submission, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Reisch to approve the purchase of a Smart Board/Display screen for the Land Management Office for $8,443.86, declared carried on a voice vote. The Administrator presented a bid from Johnson Controls remove and replace 26-fan coils with enhancements in the Courthouse at a cost of $656,280.00. The compliant bid is through Sourcewell/ state bid. Motion by Reisch, seconded Thompson, to approve the bid and to pay the expenditure from CIP bond proceeds, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Thompson, to approve the 2026 Boards & Committee appointments, declared carried on a voice vote.BOARDS & COMMITTEES 2026 Advocate Connect EducateSherri ThompsonAg SocietyGary OvergaardAssociation of Minnesota CountiesAll CommissionersKyle OldreMark SehrSusan SkattumAMC Policy CommitteesEnvironmental & Natural Resources – OvergaardGeneral Government – ReischHealth & Human Svcs – ThompsonPublic Safety – Transportation – WilliamsonAMC District VIII CommitteesAg & Transportation – OvergaardAg & Rural Development Task Force- OvergaardATP – (alternate)Land Use – OvergaardHealth & Human Services - ThompsonAudit CommitteeSherri ThompsonJody ReischKyle OldreSusan SkattumAshley KurtzHaidyn HeikesBudget CommitteeSherri ThompsonJody ReischKyle OldreAshley Kurtz Susan SkattumBuffalo Ridge Regional Railroad AuthorityStan WilliamsonSherri ThompsonKyle Oldre, Exe SecAshley Kurtz, TreasSusan SkattumBuildings CommitteeJody ReischStan WilliamsonKyle OldreChildren’s Justice InitiativeStan WilliamsonSWHHS RepCompliance CommitteeEric HartmanAshley KurtzRachel JacobsExtension CommitteeGary OvergaardStan WilliamsonKurt ElbersLynette JauertCalla JarvieMatt FodnessGabriella PorterJordan PapikPeyton Elbers (youth)Judicial Ditch Advisory BoardStan WilliamsonGary OvergaardEugene PetersonDean WenzelRoger BrockbergKanaranzi-Little Rock WatershedBill Jansma Law Library CommitteeJody ReischTim ConnellDamon EismaLuverne City/County Liaison CommitteeJody ReischGary OvergaardKyle OldreLuverne Community Economic Development CorporationJody ReischKyle Oldre (Alternate)Luverne Initiatives For TomorrowSherrie ThompsonLyon County Regional LandfillGary OvergaardMulti County HRA Jody ReischPersonnel CommitteeStan WilliamsonJody ReischJeff HaubrichKyle OldreDaryl FuerstenbergHighway Union repArlyn GehrkeAshley KurtzPersonnel Board of AppealsCraig OftedahlJill Wolf Todd HolthausPrivate Industry Council Chief Elected Officials Board Jody ReischPlanning & Zoning Committee Gary OvergaardBrad PetersenGordon MulderKurt WenzelDave DeBoerMark Vander PolJed MatthiesenMary Thompson (non-voting member)Shayla Rock (non-voting member)Eric Hartman (non-voting member)Jeff Haubrich (non-voting member)Planning & Zoning Board of AdjustmentsBrad PetersenGordon MulderMark Vander PolKurt WenzelDavid DeBoerJed MatthiesenPlum Creek Library CommitteeSherri Thompson Rock/Pipestone County CollaborativeJody ReischSWHHS RepPIC RepresentativeTodd HolthausSMOC RepCraig OftedahlJon RamloPublic HealthKyle OldreRock County Community Library Sherri ThompsonLeanne MaciejackMarilyn BergmanRuth AldrichMargie FuerstenbergHolly WesselsJill BussRock County EDA CommitteeGary OvergaardJody ReischTammy JohnsonKeith ElbersTim GustDavid RiphagenDennis MadisonJosh TueneKyle Oldre (ex-officio)Ashely Kurtz (ex-officio)Jeff Haubrich (ex-officio)Rock County OpportunitiesNancy WalkerRock County/HBC School LiaisonStan WilliamsonJody ReischKyle OldreAli BreuerJeff HaubrichMatthew SorensonRock County Historical Society AdvisoryGary OvergaardRock County/Luverne School LiaisonSherri ThompsonGary OvergaardKyle OldreStacy SchepelJeff HaubrichMatthew SorensonRock/Nobles Community Corrections Advisory BoardStan WilliamsonJody ReischJeff HaubrichJon RamloRock/Nobles Community Corrections Executive BoardStan WilliamsonJody ReischJeff HaubrichRock County Rural WaterStan WilliamsonChad OvergaardDavid RoozenboomMatthew SorensonCasey WestphalEric BinfordLila BauerRock County Veterans Memorial Rick PetersonGregg GroepelKyle OldreSafety CommitteeKyle OldreSusan SkattumEric WoodleyRobert WenzelJeff StrattonBrandon BoschJoe PickGary KurtzSoil & Water Conservation District BoardStan WilliamsonSWCD/Rock County LiaisonStan WilliamsonJody ReischRoger HoffJim VeldkampSouthwest Health & Human ServicesGary OvergaardJody ReischSuanne OhmeSouthwest Health & Human Services Nursing Hands Partnership Committee(vacant)Southwest MN Adult Mental Health Consortium (vacant)Southwest Minnesota Opportunities CouncilJody ReischSouthwest MN Public SafetyJody ReischSherri ThompsonMatthew SorensonSouthwest Regional Development CommissionSherri ThompsonJoEllen BensonEmergency Communications BoardJody ReischKyle Oldre (alternate)Southwest Regional Radio CommitteeEvan VerbruggeSouthwest Regional Rural Energy Task ForceGary Overgaard(Alternate)Southwest Solid Waste BoardGary Overgaard(Alternate)Southwest Regional EMS BoardHarlan Vande KieftJody Reisch (alternate)SWMN TourismJane LanphereTravel Southwest/Explore SWMNJane LanphereKenzie KleinWendell BuysTransit Advisory CommitteeJody ReischGary OvergaardTammy JohnsonTodd HolthausMolly PetersonKyle Oldre The Administrator gave a brief buildings project update; no action was taken. The Administrator led a discussion regarding scheduling a County Board Retreat; it was determined to schedule the retreat on April 21st following the County Board meeting. Commissioner Reisch stated that he attended the followingmeetings/events: none Commissioner Overgaard stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Southwest Health & Human Services, Planning & Zoning. Commissioner Thompson stated that she attended the following meetings/events: none Commissioner Williamson stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Rose Dell Township. With no further business coming before the County Board, the meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair.(05-07)
