The city of Beaver Creek will host its first-ever community celebration Aug. 4-5. 

The Redbirds posted six homeruns in two games this past week, beating Hadley 10-1 at home July 12 and Ruthton 17-1 on the road July 16.

Early in the morning on Saturday, July 15, more than 100 bikers were gearing up for the Sixth Annual Tour de Donut bicycle event in Luverne.

It was Christmas in July for Keith and Joan Erickson’s granddaughters who visited during the Fourth of July holiday.

Luverne High School 2020 graduate Sydney Biever spent part of this summer in Africa through her studies at the University of South Dakota, Vermillion.

County Board of Equalization
meets June 20 
Rock County Board of Equalization Meeting 6:30 P.M.
Herreid Board Room June 20, 2023
Rock County Courthouse
Chair Thompson called the meeting to order with all Commissioners
present. Also present were: Administrator Kyle Oldre and Land Records
Office staff Rachel Jacobs, Jeff Sehr and Scott Adams.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Reisch, to approve the June 20, 2023,
Board of Equalization Agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
There were no attendees.
Land Records Office Director Rachel Jacobs presented the projected value changes throughout the county as well as an assessment executive summary
identifying an increase of 22.79% in taxable market value county wide
to a total of 4,353,126,400.
The Land Records Office Director identified the following (16) Property changes
from the local Board of Appeals and Equalization:
 
*** PLACE CHART HERE ***
 
On a recommendation from the Land Records Director, motion by Burger,
seconded by Reisch, to approve the property values as identified, declared
carried on a voice vote.
With no further business to come before the Rock County Board of
Equalization, the meeting was adjourned  by order of the Chair.
(07-20)

Rock County Commissioners meet June 20 
Herreid Board Room          5:00 P.M.
Rock County Courthouse June 20, 2023
The The meeting was called to order by Chair Thompson with all Commissioners
present. Also in attendance were County Administrator Kyle Oldre,
County Attorney Jeff Haubrich, Deputy Administrator Susan Skattum,
and Star-Herald Reporter Mavis Fodness.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance.
Motion by Williamson, seconded by Reisch, to approve the June 20, 2023,
County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Burger, seconded by Overgaard, to approve the June 6,
2023, County minutes, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Williamson, to approve the
consent agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
1. Planning & Zoning Board Appointment – Jed Matthiesen
Jay Trusty, Director of Southwest Regional Development Commission (RDC), presented a program update stating that recent legislation will bring in an additional $75,000 in funding and that they intend to hire 3.5 FTE’s.  Recent RDC project in Rock County include:  Regional Trails Plan, RLF Project and Hills Day Care. The Southwest Regional Development Commission will be recognizing their 50th Anniversary in 2023.
Evan Verbrugge, Sheriff, introduced new deputies Max Brewer and
Griffin Haas and conducted a swearing in ceremony.  
The Administrator presented an update regarding the Dispatch Supervisor
position, authorized on January 5, 2023.  The job description is complete along wit
 the Grade of H16, a 8% increase from the Team Lead-Dispatcher position with a
classification of non-exempt, nonunion status.  Sheriff Verbrugge, requested to
compensate the Dispatch Supervisor with Shift Differential and Standby pay, as the individual is serving as a Dispatcher as well due to staff shortage.  Motion by Burger, seconded by Overgaard to authorize the Shift Differential and Standby compensation for
the Dispatch Supervisor effective 06/19/2023 – 09/30/2023, declared
carried on a voice vote.
Elizabeth Hoffman, Plum Creek Library System Director, presented an activity
update to include the following:
•The Regional Library System has 26 locations
•Weekly delivery of materials total 1,100 miles
•They funded 101 Arts and Cultural Heritage programs in 2022
•They currently have 16,673 eBooks and eAudio available
Hoffman requested a funding request for 2024 of $3,250 from each of the
nine counties that the Plum Creek Library system serves, the same amount as in
years past. The chair referred the request to the budget committee for
consideration with the 2024 budget.
The County Board was in receipt of the claims; motion by Reisch, seconded by Williamson, to approve, declared carried on a unanimous vote. A complete listing of the claims is available upon request at the Auditor/Treasurer's office. 
JUNE 20, 2023 CLAIMS OVER $2,000
ALPHA WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS CO $7,500.00 
BREMIK MATERIALS, INC   23,883.53 
C & B OPERATIONS LLC     4,658.59 
CHS INC   19,808.84 
COUNTIES PROVIDING TECHNOLOGY   6,925.00 
FLEET SERVICES DIVISION-ADMIN FMR     7,085.47 
GRAHAM TIRE-WORTHINGTON     7,031.96 
KETTERLING SERVICES INC   15,813.96 
LUVERNE FLOWERS     2,596.00 
LUVERNE/CITY OF     6,507.06 
LYON COUNTY LANDFILL   21,892.22 
MACQUEEN EQUIPMENT, INC.     2,928.72 
MIDWEST LIFT WORKS     5,583.16 
QUALITY PRINTING INC     2,958.32 
ROCK COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT 222,267.83 
ROCK COUNTY OPPORTUNITIES       2,121.17 
STAPLES ENTERPRISES INC       4,054.18 
TK ELEVATOR CORPORATION       2,539.50 
TOLLEFSON PUBLISHING       2,961.50 
TRANSOURCE TRUCK & EQUIPMENT INC     3,653.33 
WIDSETH SMITH NOLTING & ASSOC, INC     3,100.00 
63 PAYMENTS LESS THAN $2,000             22,542.10 
     TOTAL                   $398,412.44 
Motion Thomson second Overgaard to accept the Fund Balance report as
presented, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Reisch, to approve amendments to the Rock County Personnel Policy (Resolution No. 08-23) and Memorandums of Agreement for (3) AFSCME Council 65 Union Contracts and (1) MN Teamsters Public and Law Enforcement Local N. 320, all adding the June 19th (Juneteenth) as a paid holiday, as per MN Statutes 2022, section 10.55; 645.44, subdivision 5 and MN Laws 2023, chapter 5, section 2, effective June 19, 2023, declared carried on a voice vote.
The County Board was in receipt of the State Demographers April 2022
Census estimate, no action was taken.
Administrator provided an update on the HVAC project at human services.
Commissioner Reisch stated that he attended the following
meetings/events: AMC District meeting.
Commissioner Williamson stated that he attended the following meetings/events:
AMC District meeting, SWCD, RCRW, and FSA Equip meeting.
Commissioner Overgaard stated that he attended the following meetings/events: 
SWCD, and a discussion with a potential wind turbine blade recycler to be scheduled
at a future meeting.
Commissioner Burger stated that he attended the following meetings/events: AMC
District meeting and Adult Mental Health Consortium meeting
Commissioner Thompson stated that she attended the following
meetings/events: AMC District meeting.
With no further business to come before the County Board, the meeting was
declared adjourn, declared carried on a voice vote.
(07-20)

Rock County Commissioners meet June 6 
Herreid Board Room          9:00 A.M.
Rock County Courthouse June 6, 2023
The meeting was called to order by Chair Thompson with all Commissioners
present. Also in attendance were County Administrator Kyle Oldre,
County Attorney Jeff Haubrich, Deputy Administrator Susan Skattum, and Star-
Herald Reporter Mavis Fodness.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance.
Motion by Williamson, seconded by Reisch, to approve the June 06, 2023,
County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Burger, to approve the May 16, 2023,
County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote.
Bonnie Christianson, University of MN Regional Extension Director, along with Sheila Steinhoff, Office Manager, Kelsey Maeschen, 4-H Youth Development Coordinator, Lindsey Vander Wal, Summer Intern presented a program activity updates and thanked the County Board for the financial support, via the Memorandum of Agreement. Student Representatives serving on the Extension Committee Justin Mente and LaNae Elbers gave testimonials of the positive skills and leadership the 4-H program has given them. The County Board thanked them for the update.
Department Heads Auditor/Treasurer Ashley Kurtz, Rural Water Systems Manager Ryan Holtz, Community Library Calla Jarvie, Land Management Office Eric Hartman, Veterans Service Officer Dave Haugom, Land Records Office Rachel Jacobs and Public Works Director/Highway Engineer Mark Sehr presented legislative updates and the local impact it will have for Rock County. No action was taken.
Ashley Kurtz, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims and Per Diems of $900.00; motion by Williamson, seconded by Overgaard, to approve, declared carried on a
voice vote. A complete listing of the claims is available upon request at the
Auditor/Treasurer's office. 
JUNE 6, 2023 CLAIMS OVER $2,000
A & B BUSINESS INC $4,432.46
AMERICAN COMMUNICATIONS INC   3,500.00
AMERICAN LEGAL PUBLISHING CORPOR   2,636.81
BREMIK MATERIALS, INC   9,286.22
BUFFALO RIDGE CONCRETE 12,926.12
COMMISSIONER OF TRANSPORTATION   7,608.44
CONCRETE CREATIONS 10,248.00
CONVERGINT TECHNOLOGIES LLC   8,717.19
COUNTIES PROVIDING TECHNOLOGY   7,175.00
DLT SOLUTIONS   4,240.70
EMERGENCY SERVICES MARKETING CO   2,415.00
HEIMAN INC.   2,084.00
HENNING CONSTRUCTION, INC   8,813.28
JOHNSON CONTROLS   496,155.45
LUVERNE/CITY OF       2,160.00
NEWMAN SIGNS INC   7,685.47
NOBLES COUNTY AUDITOR-TREASURER   6,746.49
OCV LLC   2,995.00
TRANSOURCE TRUCK & EQUIPMENT INC   3,000.00
TRUENORTH STEEL 11,506.00
58 PAYMENTS LESS THAN $2,000           26,688.34
     TOTAL               $641,019.97
The County Board was in receipt of the Fund Balance report which reflects a fifty-percent distribution of the first half tax collection to school districts; motion by Burger, seconded by Thompson, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Auditor/Treasurer also presented a CIP Bonding update stating that the
remaining balance is $586,773.08; presented as information.
The Auditor/Treasurer stated that she is in receipt of (2) Rock Home Initiative (RHI) applications for Andrew and Natashia Kellenberger and Glenn and Dianne Lorenzen. As per policy, motion by Thompson, seconded by Overgaard,
to schedule a Public Hearing for July 11, 2023 at 9:05 A.M. for public comment
on the RHI tax abatement requests, declared carried on a voice vote.
The County Board was in receipt of the 2023 Appropriations listing; the listing reflects a five percent increase to Jasper, Edgerton and Rock County Ambulance service organizations. The distribution was presented as information.
JASPER AMBULANCE $5,250.00 
EDGERTON AMBULANCE $2,625.00 
ROCK COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY $25,000.00 
ROCK COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY $20,000.00 
SW ARTS & HUMANITIES COUNCIL $1,000.00 
LUVERNE AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
-AMBULANCE FUND $25,983.30 
SOUTHERN MN TOURISM ASSOCIATION $500.00 
GREEN EARTH PLAYERS $1,000.00 
SOUTHWEST INITIATIVE FOUNDATION $2,920.00 
LUVERNE AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION 
-GENERATIONS $30,000.00 
PLEDGE (YEAR 4 OF 5)
LUVERNE AMERICAN LEGION $300.00 
HARDWICK AMERICAN LEGION $300.00 
SW MN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD $2,300.00 
HILLS AMERICAN LEGION $300.00 
PACHOLL-MOSER POST #2603 $300.00 
$117,778.30
Motion by Burger, seconded by Williamson, to approve lost warrant #10213
payable to Innovative Office Solutions LLC for the amount of $36.93, declared
carried on a voice vote.
The Chair initiated a discussion regarding voting procedures, mail ballot verses
voting in person at designated precincts.  After discussion it was determined to keep the
voting procedures the same by allowing cities and townships the choice
of utilizing mail ballots.
Eric Hartman, Land Management Office Director, presented a conditional use
permit for Henningsen Construction for the placement of a temporary asphalt plant to be located in the SW 1/4 of Section 36 in Clinton Township; the
plant would be operational in August and September. Motion by Burger, seconded
by Overgaard, to approve the conditional use permit with (7) conditions identified
on the permit, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Reisch, to approve a contract with Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. (SEH) for consulting services for monitoring and reporting requirements for the Rock County Demolition Landfill, declared carried on a voice
vote.
Mark Sehr, Engineer, presented the following bids for SP 067-601-014
(Replace Bridge 67501 on CSAH 1 over the Kanaranzi Creek:
Prahm Construction Inc. $1,301,184.28
         Structural Specialties, Inc. $1,481,940.78
ICON Constructors, LLC $1,500,763.28
         Graves Construction Co., Inc. $1,664,559.80
         S.M. Hentges & Son, Inc. $1,849,910.55
  On a recommendation by the Engineer, motion by Overgaard, seconded
by Williamson, to accept the low compliant bid from Prahm Construction, Inc. for
$1,301,184.28, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Reisch, seconded by Williamson to add the committee Luverne Initiatives For Tomorrow (LIFT) with Commissioner Thompson as the Rock County representative and the Rock County Ag Society Board with Commissioner Overgaard as the Rock County representative, declared carried on a voice vote.  Commissioner appointments for both committee and boards are eligible for per diem payments.
The Administrator led a discussion regarding the Juneteenth holiday observed on June 19, 2023.  Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10.55; 645.44, subdivision 5 establishes Juneteenth as a state legal holiday and amended Laws 2023, chapter 5, section 2, makes the Juneteenth legal holiday effective June 19, 2023. All county offices are required to be closed to the public and cannot conduct any public transactions.  Current policies and contracts do not identify Juneteenth as a paid holiday.  After discussion, it was determined to close all county offices as per 2023 legislation, with the exception of Law Enforcement, and take no action to amend the holiday schedules at this time.
The County Board was informed that the Rock County codification project is ready to move forward with adoption; motion by Burger, seconded by Thompson, to schedule a Public Hearing to allow for public comment on the adoption of a codified general ordinances on July 11, 2023, at 9:10 A.M., in the Herreid Board meeting room of the Rock County Courthouse, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator briefly discussed repairs to the Kahler Terrace causing water
leaks in the tunnel/annex area; the bid exceeded the estimated amount of
$250,000 to repair. The Administrator requested to table the issue to allow for
additional investigation on the project.
Motion by Burger, seconded by Reisch, to initiate an Employee Health and Wellness program sponsored by the Southwest/West Central
Service Cooperative and designate Deputy Administrator Susan Skattum as the
Wellness Coordinator, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator stated that he had attended the Governor’s Emergency
Management conference, a number economic development meetings, building
issues pertaining to the Human Services Bldg and the Kahler Terrace and a
City/County Liaison meeting.
Commissioner Reisch stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Southwest Minnesota Opportunity Council and Economic Development Authority.
Commissioner Williamson stated that he attended the following
meetings/events: n/a
Commissioner Overgaard stated that he attended the following meetings/events:
Economic Development Authority, Solid Waste, Rural Energy, Planning
& Zoning and (2) meetings with Hardwick City officials.
Commissioner Burger stated that he attended the following
meetings/events: Southwest Health and Human Services
Commissioner Thompson stated that she attended the following
meetings/events: Southwest Health and Human Services, Ribbon Cutting
Ceremony of the Luverne Loop Bike Trail.
With no further business to come before the County Board, the meeting was
declared adjourn, declared carried on a voice vote.
(07-20)