Rock County Commissioners meet Feb. 17Rock County Board of Commissioners February 17, 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 Overgaard, seconded by Thompson, to approve the February 17, 2026 County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Burger, seconded by Reisch, to approve the February 03, 2026, County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Reisch, seconded by Overgaard, to approve the consent agenda, declared carried on a voice vote. 1. LoginMN Access Verification Joint Powers Agreement with MNIT Motion by Burger, seconded by Reisch, to call a Public Hearing to order at 9:02 A.M., declared carried on a voice vote. Purpose of the Public Hearing is to allow comment regarding the adoption of a proposed ordinance Regulating Fire Arm Use for Deer Hunting. The Chair requested that those requesting to offer public comment state their name; the following individuals offered comments: •Pat Swyter – in favor of rifle and sited concerns regarding over population of deer and was not aware of any data indicating safety and damages to personal property in areas where rifles were allowed. •Jacob Crowe – in favor of rifle and sited concerns regarding over population of deer •Traey Davis – in favor of rifle •Dick Remme – against rifle as the county has a large amount of land mass that is open and flat without trees, etc. With no other public comments to be offered, motion by Overgaard, seconded by Reisch, to close the Public Hearing at 9:10 A.M., declared carried on a voice vote. The County Board stated that many of their constituents have reached out to them stating that they were not in favor of the use of rifles during deer hunting season out of concern for safety and damages to personal property. The County Board and County Administrator did express appreciation to the public’s involvement the respect relating to everyone’s opinion; they felt the public hearing process served all of Rock County very well. Motion by Burger, seconded by Overgaard, to approve Resolution No. 05-26, Chapter 131 of the Rock County Code of Ordinances Regulating Certain Fire Arms for Deer Hunting, declared carried on a voice vote. Mark Sehr, Engineer, reported that Unit 303, a track crawler needs emergency repairs totaling $66,131.00 and requested authorization to approve the expenditure and utilize wind production revenues; motion by Reisch, seconded by Overgaard, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote. The County Administrator presented an update and building projects: The County Administrator led a conversation regarding the AMC Legislative Conference scheduled for March 4 - 5, after discussion, it was determined that no Commissioners were available to attend. The County Board was in receipt of a letter from Commissioner Greg Burger informing them of his resignation, effective February 28, 2026. The County Board accepted the letter of resignation with regret and thanked him for his nine years of public service to the residents of Rock County. The County Administrator stated that the County Attorney and Auditor/Treasurer would discuss the process of filling the District 3 vacant seat and the next meeting. Ashley Kurtz, Auditor/Treasurer presented the claims and $900 in per diems; motion by Reisch, seconded by Overgaard, 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 54,453.81 Public Works Fund 71,609.58 Library Fund 3,920.26 Land Management Fund 825.83 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 County Board was in receipt of the Auditor’s warrants paid on 02/16 and 02/13; motion by Burger, seconded by Overgaard to acknowledge receipt of the Auditor’s warrants, declared carried on a voice vote. The Administrator stated that he attended a MACA Regional meeting where a Land Use issue for a proposed Data Center in Nobles County was discussed; other activities from the Administrator’s office included onboarding a new employee for Community Corrections and informed the County Board that Rock County was in receipt of a resignation from Scott Anderson, an Equipment Operator at the Highway Department. The Administrator stated that at the March 3rd meeting, the County Board will have to review and re-assign Boards & Committee assignments, especially those that will become vacant due to Commissioner Burger’s resignation. Motion by Reisch, seconded by Thompson, to call a second Public Hearing to order at 10:00 A.M. for the purpose of allowing public comments regarding a Rock Home Initiative (RHI) property tax abatement for Aaron and Dawn Sandbulte, declared carried on a voice vote. The proposed tax abatement was estimated at $1,555.19 per year for (5) years; total estimated abatement would be $5,602.00. There was no public comment offered. Motion by Burger, seconded by Overgaard, to close the public hearing at 10:03 A.M., declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Burger, seconded by Reisch, to approve Resolution 06-25, a RHI abatement for Aaron and Dawn Sandbulte, declared carried on a voice vote. Commissioner Reisch stated that he attended the following meetings/events: none. Commissioner Overgaard stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Fair Board, and conducted a Judicial Ditch 2 tour. Commissioner Burger stated that he attended the following meetings/event: plans to attend Union negotiations for Deputy Union and Southwest Health and Human Services meetings in February. Commissioner Thompson stated that she attended the following meetings/events: Plum Creek Regional Library. Commissioner Williamson stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Judicial Ditch 2 tour with Commissioner Overgaard and stated that Prairie Rose Community Fund 2026 grant application is open. With no further business coming before the County Board, the meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair.(05-07)
