In November 1621, a group of people in the new world gathered to give thanks because they survived another year in what would go on to become the greatest nation on earth.  Amidst starvation, bitter cold, sickness, lack of needed supplies, and separation from family left in England, the pilgrims gave thanks for a bountiful harvest.
They had much to be thankful for, just as we have much to be thankful for some 400 years later. 
The writer of Psalm 100 tells us to “enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise”. It is a joyous thought that all believers in Jesus will one day enter the courts of heaven.
What thanks will you give when you step into the gates of heaven seeing the golden streets? Will you look at God seated on his throne and then focus on your house, your car, your family? As important as they are, these things will take a back seat to your new vantage point of God.
When we see God’s perfection, we start to understand, at least to some degree, more than we now see, his wisdom, knowledge and power. What we considered so great on this earth will mean very little.
We are called to be thankful with our earthly possessions, but I believe it is even more important to be grateful for what God has done for us.
Consider for a moment that, because of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, we can have our sins forgiven. No work is involved in receiving this wonderful gift. Paul said our salvation is a gift from God, not by any work we can do. This should give us pause for gratefulness.
We give thanks that we have the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth, to comfort us in whatever situation we are facing, to help us understand what may not make logical sense.
This Thanksgiving take a few minutes to give thanks for your salvation, for the love of God that is extended to all, for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all things, for our God who is watching over you every day. Give thanks that God never grows tired, he never needs a nap, he never says, “I am sick today; you take care of yourself.”
Have a great thanksgiving giving thanks for what is most important.

St. Catherine Catholic Church
203 E. Brown St., Luverne
St. Catherine Ph. 283-8502; www.stscl.org
Monsignor Gerald Kosse, Pastor
Sundays 8:30 a.m. Mass. Public Mass will be celebrated at FULL capacity in the church. Masses: 9 a.m. Wednesdays, 10 a.m. Friday at the nursing homes – check the bulletin. All Sunday masses will be live streamed on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pg/stccluverne/videos/. Visit www.stscl.org for more information.
 
Luverne Christian Reformed Church
605 N. Estey St., Luverne
Office Ph. 283-8482; Prayer Line Ph. 449-5982
www.luvernecrc.com — office@luvernecrc.com
Sundays 9:30 a.m. Worship service. 6:30 p.m. Evening worship service. We are streaming Sunday services live on YouTube at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Send him a friend request if you’re not connected. You may also visit our website for delayed broadcasts. Also our services are on local cable TV at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and at 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays. In all circumstances, may we joyfully declare: “Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 124:8.
 
First Baptist Church
103 N. Jackson St., P.O. Box 975, Luverne
Ph. 283-4091; email: fbcluv@iw.net — www.fbcluverne.org
Walt Moser, Pastor
Sundays, 10:30 a.m. In-person worship service. Service is also on Facebook Live at 10:30 a.m.
 
Grace Lutheran Church
500 N. Kniss Ave., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-4431; www.graceluverne.org — graceluverne@iw.net
Dave Christenson, Interim Pastor
Thursday, Nov. 24 — Thanksgiving Day: Office is closed. Sunday, Nov. 27: 9 a.m. Worship service. 10 a.m. Coffee. NO Sunday School. NO Drums & Jesus. Tuesday, Nov. 29: 8:30 a.m. Grace Notes assembly. 9 a.m. Staff meeting. Wednesday, Nov. 30: 7 a.m. Men’s Bible Study. 6:15 p.m. 6th Grade confirmation class. 7 p.m. Advent Service. Online, TV and Radio Worship options are available. Online worship: Sundays 9 a.m. at www.graceluverne.org, click Worship tab; or Facebook page at Grace Lutheran ELCA, Luverne. TV: Vast Channel 3 Mondays at 4:30 p.m. and Fridays at 10 a.m. Radio: KQAD-AM Radio Sundays at 8:15 a.m.
 
Bethany Lutheran Church
720 N. Kniss Ave., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-4571 or 605-215-9834
Andrew Palmquist, Pastor
Sundays, 9 a.m. Sunday School and Bible class. 10:15 a.m. Worship service; worship online as well (at els.org). Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. Zoom Bible study. See our Facebook page, Bethany Lutheran Church (Luverne) for other classes and events.
 
American Reformed Church
304 N. Fairview Dr., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-8600; email: office@arcluverne.org
Sunday, Nov. 27: 9:30 a.m. Worship Service. 10:50 a.m. Sunday School. Christmas Practice. 5 p.m. Kid Zone. Tuesday, Nov. 29: 12 p.m. Staff meeting. Wednesday, Nov. 30: 5:30 p.m. Midweek Meal. 6:30 p.m. Pioneer Clubs. Thursday, Dec. 1: 8 a.m. Cookie Crew. Services are also broadcast on Vast Channel 3 on Mondays at 6 p.m. and Wednesdays at 4 p.m. DVD’s available upon request. To stay up to date on announcements, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @arcluverne.
 
Rock River Community Church
1075 110th Ave., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-9070; email: info@rockrivercommunity.church
Bob Junak, Pastor
Come as you are—Sundays @ 10 a.m.: Main Service. Kids church age 3-6th grade—Nursery. Wednesdays @ 6:30 p.m. Midweek Service—Kids age 3-6th grade.
 
United Methodist Church
109 N. Freeman Ave., Luverne
Ph. 283-4529
Saturday, Nov. 26: 8 p.m. AA meeting. Sunday, Nov. 27: 9:30 a.m. Adult Sunday school; FUEL. 9:45 a.m. coffee hour. 10:30 a.m. Worship Service. 4:30 p.m. Genesis/Revelation Bible Study. Wednesday, Nov. 30: 6:15 p.m. FUEL and confirmation. 8 p.m. AA meeting. Thursday, Dec. 1: 7 p.m. AA meeting. Live streamed on Facebook and radio.
 
First Presbyterian Church
302 Central Lane, Luverne
Ph. 283-4787; email: Firstpc@iw.net
Sunday, Nov. 27: 9 a.m. Adult Sunday school. 10:15 a.m. Worship service. Youth Sunday school during worship service. In-person Worship service and live on Facebook. Our Facebook page can be found under First Presbyterian Church of Luverne. We are also on the local Luverne cable station at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and 10 a.m. on Thursdays.
 
St. John Lutheran Church
803 N. Cedar St., Luverne
Ph. 283-2316; email: stjohn@iw.net
www.stjohnlutheranluverne.org
Saturday, Nov. 26: 9 a.m. Festival of Nativities. 5:30 p.m. Worship Service. Sunday, Nov. 27: 9 a.m. Worship Service. 10:15 a.m. Sunday School. 10:15 p.m. Christmas Program. 11:15 a.m. Junior Choir. Monday, Nov. 28: 1 p.m. Quilters meet. 3 p.m. Youth Night at Pizza Ranch. 6 p.m. Winter Porch Planter Workshop. Wednesday, Nov. 30: 9 a.m. Bible Study. 6:30 p.m. Catechesis Class. Kids for Christ. 7 p.m. Senior Group. 7:30 p.m. Youth Group. Services will be available on the Vast Channel 3 Sunday and online at the city website, cityofluverne.org.
 
Living Rock Church
500 E. Main St., Luverne
Ph. 449-0057; www.livingrockswmn.org
Josh Hayden, Pastor
 
New Life Celebration Church
101 W. Maple, Luverne
Ph. (605) 368-1924; email: newlifecelebration@gmail.com
Food mission every third Thursday.
 
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
305 E. 2nd St., P.O. Box 36, Hardwick
Ph. (507) 669-2855; zionoffice@alliancecom.net
Jesse Baker, Pastor
Sunday, Nov. 27: 9 a.m. Worship service. 10:15 a.m. Sunday School. 10:30 a.m. Bible study. Worship service on Luverne cable at 3:30 p.m. every Thursday and Friday.
 
Ben Clare United Methodist Church
26762 Ben Clare Ave., Valley Springs, S.D.
igtwlb@WOW.net
Bill Bates, Pastor
 
First Lutheran Church
300 Maple St., Valley Springs, S.D.
Ph. (605) 757-6662 – firstpalisade@alliancecom.net
Mark Eliason, Pastor
Sunday, Nov. 27: 9:30 a.m. Sunday School. 10:30 a.m. Worship Service. We Are ONLINE! Facebook: @FirstLutheranValley Springs; YouTube: FirstPalisadeLutheranParish.
 
Palisade Lutheran Church
211 121st St., Garretson, S.D.
Ph. (507) 597-6257 — palisadechurch@alliancecom.net
www.palisadelutheran.org
Mark Eliason, Pastor
Sunday, Nov. 27: 9 a.m. Worship Service. 10 a.m. Sunday School. We Are ONLINE! Facebook: @PalisadeLC; YouTube: FirstPalisadeLutheranParish.
 
First Presbyterian Church
201 S. 3rd St., P.O Box 73, Beaver Creek
Ph. 507-935-5025
email: lori.firstpres@gmail.com
Sundays, 9:30 a.m. Worship Service. Second Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m. Session meeting.
 
Magnolia United Methodist Church
501 E. Luverne St., Magnolia
Ph. 605-215-3429
email: magnoliamnumc@gmail.com
Nancy Manning, Pastor
Sunday, 9 a.m., in-person with livestream available on the church’s Facebook site.
 
Steen Reformed Church
112 W. Church Ave., Steen
Ph. 855-2336
Jeremy Wiersema, Pastor
Sunday, 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Worship service in-person with livestream available on Facebook and YouTube. Radio worship on KQAD Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
 
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
112 N. Main St., Hills
Ph. 962-3270 / bethlehemofhills@gmail.com
Nita Parker, Pastor
Sunday, Nov. 27: 9 a.m. Worship at Tuff Chapel. 9 a.m. Sunday school. 10 a.m. Worship Service. Worship will be streamed live to Facebook at Bethlehem of Hills. You can find more info on our website blchills.org.
 
Hills United Reformed Church
410 S. Central Ave., Hills
Office Ph. 962-3254
hillsurc@alliancecom.net
Alan Camarigg, Pastor

H-BC School Board 
meets Oct. 24
Hills-Beaver Creek Dist. 671
Minutes
Oct. 24, 2022
The Hills-Beaver Creek School Board met for its semi-monthly meeting at 7:07 p.m. in the H-BC Secondary School Board room, 301 N Summit Ave, Hills, MN.
Board members and Administration present were Fransman, Harnack,
Knobloch and Rozeboom. Superintendent Holthaus, Principal Kellenberger
and Business Manager Rozeboom were also in attendance. Board members
Bosch, Gehrke and Rauk were absent.
Assigned Renae Knobloch as Acting Clerk.
Motion by Harnack, second by Rozeboom, and carried to approve the
agenda. Proposed Additions to Agenda: 7.10. and 8.3.
No visitors.
PATRIOT PRIDE:
•Unity Day 10/19
•Bus Safety week 17-21
•Blattner Energy donations for PBIS
•End of Fall Sports Regular Seasons!
BOARD COMMITTEE MEETING REPORTS: 
Health/Safety, 10/19 and Transportation, 10/20
Motion by Knobloch, second by Rozeboom, and carried to approve Consent 
Agenda:
-Minutes—10/10/2022
-Bills and Treasurer’s Report
-Imprest Cash Report
-Student Activity Accounts Report
-Hiring Part Time Related Services Nurse, Katie Schreurs effective immediately.
-Hiring assistant girls basketball coach, Conner Blosmo to begin
the 2022-2023 basketball season.
-End district contracted payroll services with the SWWC November 1, 2022 
-Increasing average number of weekly hours for Karin Gaugler, District
Payroll Clerk, effective November 1, 2022, and moving forward.
-New hourly rate for District Payroll Clerk Position.
-Setting the District’s 2010 Chevrolet Suburban, 2012 Chevrolet Impala
and 2010 Chrysler MiniVan as excess district property and directing the
Superintendent to take sealed bids and sell said property.
Motion by Harnack, second by Rozeboom, and carried to
approve form and function of community facilities survey.
Motion by Knobloch, second by Harnack, and carried to approve setting 2022 District Ford Wheelchair Accessible Van as excess property and use as trade for 2022 Toyota Sienna Wheelchair accessible van.
Motion by Rozeboom, second by Knobloch, and carried to approve
2022-2023 Worlds Best Work Force Plan.
Motion by Rozeboom, second by Harnack, and carried to approve
Donation Resolution:
$1,000.00 from Blattner Energy, LLC for Elementary PBIS Pride Store
$1,000.00 from Blattner Energy, LLC for Secondary PBIS Student Account
DISTRICT NON-ACTION ITEMS:
•Secondary Principal Report
•Superintendent/Elementary Principal Report
AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING
DATES TO REMEMBER:
-Elections- Tuesday, November 8 No Activities 6-8 p.m.
-Regular Board Meeting, WEDNESDAY, November 16 - NOTE DATE CHANGE
-Regular Board Meeting,Monday, November 28
Meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m.
Renae Knobloch, Acting Clerk
(11-23)

City of Luverne sets budget public hearing Dec. 6 
 
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED 2022 TAX LEVY
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, by the City Administrator of the City of Luverne that a Budget Public Hearing will be held in the Council Chambers
located in the City Offices Building, 305 East Luverne Street, Luverne, Minnesota,
commencing at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 6, 2022.
All persons wishing to be heard should be present at the hearing or present written comments previous to the hearing to the City Administrator. Anyone needing reasonable accommodations or an interpreter should contact the 
City Clerk’s Office, 305 East Luverne Street, Luverne, MN. (507) 449-9898.
John Call
City Administrator
(11-23)

Tofteland hearing
STATE OF MINNESOTA FIFTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
                                                                         DISTRICT COURT
COUNTY OF ROCK                                                                     PROBATE DIVISION
 
Court File No. 67-PR-22-273
 
Estate of                                                       NOTICE AND ORDER OF HEARING ON
Bruce Milo Tofteland,             PETITION FOR FORMAL ADJUDICATION OF
Decedent                                 INTESTACY, DETERMINATION OF HEIRSHIP,
APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL
REPRESENTATIVE AND 
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
 
It is Ordered and Notice is given that on Dec. 12, 2022, at 8:30 a.m., a hearing will be held in this Court at 204 East Brown Street, Luverne, Minnesota, via Zoom for the adjudication of intestacy and determination of heirship of the Decedent, and for the appointment of Sonya Miller, whose address is 2927 Patty Place, Garden City, KS, 67846 and Dean Tofteland, whose address is 1105 Elm Cove, Luverne, MN, 56156 as Personal Representatives of the Estate of the Decedent in a SUPERVISED administration. Any objections to the petition must be filed with the Court prior to or raised at the hearing. If proper and if no objections are filed or raised, the Personal Representatives will be appointed with full power to administer the Estate, including the power to collect all assets, to pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, to sell real and personal property, and to do all necessary acts for the Estate.
Notice is also given that (subject to Minnesota Statutes section 524.3-801)
all creditors having claims against the Estate are required to present the claims
to the Personal Representatives or to the Court Administrator within four months
after the date of this Notice or the claims will be barred.
 
Date: November 14, 2022 /s/ Terry Vajgrt
Judge of District Court
 
/s/ Natalie Reisch
Court Administrator
Attorney for Petitioner
Donald R. Klosterbuer
Klosterbuer & Haubrich, LLP
120 N. McKenzie, PO Box 538
Luverne, MN 56156
Attorney License No: 0056674
Telephone: 507-283-9111
FAX: 507-283-9113
Email: drklosterbuer@khlawmn.com
(11-23, 12-01)

Luverne leaders are forging ahead with a $6.4 million plan to convert former office space into a child care center.
Costs are daunting and smaller models struggle with earning a profit, but research shows the long-term community benefits are well worth the investment. 
“By having a facility that can provide quality early care education to your youngest residents, it’s going to relieve burdens from the school district and social service programs,” said Trisha Lien, business development specialist with First Children’s Finance. 
“And this facility has the ability to break cycles that cost a lot of communities down the road.”
Lien addressed a room full of city and county leaders Wednesday night, Nov. 9, in City Hall council chambers.
Of all the day care projects she’s worked with over her career, Lien said Luverne’s day care center plans will stand out as a model to be replicated.
“There are a lot of people in your region who are dying to know what Luverne and Rock County are doing and how are they doing it,” Lien said. 
“I can’t tell you the number of times in a month I get asked that specifically. ‘What are they doing over there? How are they getting this done?’ All I can tell them is watch and see. There are going to be a lot of communities that will replicate this if this comes to fruition.”
First Children’s Finance is a national nonprofit organization that provides loans and business development assistance to child care businesses serving low- and moderate-income families.
The organization has been working with Luverne and Rock County for the past six years.
 
Costs to build and operate
The city of Luverne purchased the 30,000-square-foot Total Card Inc. building for $515,000 last year — a “steal” at $17 per square foot, considering the original asking price was $1.1 million.
The city will renovate the building at an estimated cost of $6.4 million (including architect and engineering fees and center equipment) and lease it to a non-profit board for $1 per year. 
The non-profit will acquire a license to operate the child care center for 186 kids (average 163 operating capacity). This is 24 infants in three rooms, 42 toddlers in three rooms, 60 preschoolers in three rooms and 60 school-age children in two rooms. 
Operating at full capacity, the center will require a minimum of 35 full-time positions. 
Among them will be a licensed director at $28 per hour, 
“At this wage, you’re going recruit and retain a high-quality director,” Lien said. “You’ll get one to leave Sioux Falls and come to Luverne.”
An assistant director would be hired at $18 per hour, a teacher at $17, assistant teacher at $15, an aide at $13 and a cook/custodial person at $15 per hour.
Staffing represents more than 70 percent of a day care operation’s costs, and Lien said it’s the one thing a center can’t afford to compromise on.
 
‘Quality costs money’
“These wages and benefits packages are well above the average for the state of Minnesota, and it’s with good reason,” she said.
“It’s because you’re a state-of-the-art facility that exists nowhere else in the state of Minnesota for a model that currently doesn’t yet exist.”
She said South Dakota’s lower wages will allow Luverne’s facility to recruit quality staff.
“It creates a draw for people to leave Sioux Falls and come here,” Lien said
Tentative weekly rates proposed in Luverne would be $208 for infants, $194 for toddlers, $180 for preschoolers and $100 for school age kids during the school year and $160 during the summer.
These rates are proposed based on studies of local working family incomes.
Lien and other day care center planners said operating at full capacity with all profits accounted for, a center at these rates would be unable to show a profit.
That’s why a good share of Wednesday’s discussion centered on how Luverne’s day care center will be supported.
 
Funding sources
To pay for the $6.4 million renovation costs, the city is anticipating a federal grant of $2.6 million, contributions of $1 million each from the city and county, a $1.24 million countywide fundraising effort, and a $500,000 Minnesota grant.
The grants have not yet been realized, and county leaders have not yet agreed to the $1 million request.
And even after construction is paid for, the center will need help in order to cash flow until it is operating at full staff and at full capacity.
 
Working families’ wages can’t afford licensed day care salaries
To understand why it’s so difficult for day care centers in outstate Minnesota to succeed, Lien said it’s important to understand income demographics and economies of scale.
Day care centers in metro areas have access to families earning higher wages and there are more of them to utilize a day care center.
“The larger the center, the more profitable it is,” Lien said.
In the metro area, parents pay $427 per week for infant care. In outstate Minnesota, its $180.
“Keep in mind, throughout Minnesota, the cost to provide child care doesn’t change,” Lien said.
“Staff isn’t paid more in the metro, food doesn’t cost more in the metro, The difference is what you can charge based on the average household income. That’s why the model is so broken, and it requires public and private investment to make it sustainable in greater Minnesota.”
She said the annual price of child care in Minnesota for infants is $16,000 for a center. 
“It has surpassed the average annual tuition and fees at a public four-year college or university,” she said.
Part of that is due to licensure and standards in Minnesota. 
“South Dakota and Iowa have very different licensing requirements,” Lien said. “South Dakota doesn’t have a ‘Quality rating and approval system’ and licensing requirements are minimal.” 
So, that means quality comes at a price, and it shows how we need outside investment. 
 
For a center to succeed, communities need to subsidize operations
Mayor Pat Baustian said the long-term community benefits will be well worth the investment, and he said the city of Luverne is committed to the day care investment no matter what.
“We can’t afford not to,” he said. “Child care is a critical part of our social infrastructure in a healthy community.”
He said when local leaders first started looking at day care six years ago, there were 51 home day cares in Rock County. Today we have 31.
“Parents need access to day care to maintain a productive lifestyle and employment,” Baustian said. “Without quality day care and education for children, that directly impacts our area.”
He said businesses were coming to Luverne’s EDA saying they can’t get employees to work for a full eight hours because they have to leave early or come in late to pick up kids.
“As the county looks to recruit a new manufacturer, the non-negotiables that we know about are education, health care and day care,” Baustian said. 
“We want to be part of the solution. Child care is essential for our continued economic development in our cities and county.”
 
Growing tax base means government can afford to subsidize day care
He also said Luverne and Rock County are well-positioned to afford the investment in child care.
“We have been fortunate to see economic development while struggling with a day care shortage,” Baustian said.
He mentioned Lineage Logistics $50 million cold storage warehouse and 80 new jobs. Also Premium Minnesota Pork’s $70 million smoke house will bring more than 80 jobs, and the county is currently courting a major manufacturer.
These multi-million-dollar projects add tax base, and their property taxes bring in extra income to support further growth and important city amenities.
In this case, Baustian said the growth will help the city subsidize day care operations to the tune of $50,000 per year 
“This is an essential service,” he said. 
“Property insurance, utilities costs, security costs, lawn care, snow removal … We need to cover those costs in order to make this as successful as we can. We know it will cost money, but it's an essential piece of our long-term continued growth.”
Baustian said he hoped the county and others will support the effort.
“If we’re looking at attracting and maintaining employees to Luverne and Rock County, this is a must.”
“Healthy communities need day care, health care, education … We cannot afford to kick this down the road any further. We would encourage the county to be our partner in the capital campaign as much as possible.”

Rock County Commissioners
meet Sept. 20
Herreid Board Room          9:00 A.M.
Rock County Courthouse Sept. 20, 2022
The meeting was called to order by the Chair with Commissioners Overgaard, Thompson, Burger and Williamson present. Also in attendance were
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 Overgaard, to approve the September
20, 2022, County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Burger, to approve the September 06,
2022, County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Burger, seconded by Thompson, to approve the consent agenda,
declared carried on a voice vote.
1. FY23 SSTS Grant Agreement
2. Y23 Health Insurance Renewal w/SWWC; reflects a 9.5% increase
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Reisch, to go into closed session at 9:03 a.m. for the purpose of discussing union negotiation strategies, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Williamson, seconded by Thompson, to arise from
closed session at 9:40 a.m., declared carried on a voice vote.
Ashley Kurtz, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims; motion by Overgaard, seconded by Thompson, to approve the claims as presented, declared carried on a voice vote.  A complete listing the claims is available at the Auditor/Treasurer’s office.
SEPTEMBER 20, 2022 CLAIMS OVER $2,000
BREMIK MATERIALS, INC $2,013.54 
CHS INC 27,878.36 
COUNTIES PROVIDING TECHNOLOGY                 6,755.00 
ELECTION SYSTEMS & SOFTWARE INC                 5,967.50 
ERICKSON ENGINEERING           14,448.50 
FLEET SERVICES DIVISION-ADMIN FMR                 6,596.78 
KETTERLING SERVICES INC           16,322.85 
LUVERNE BODY SHOP INC                 6,645.31 
LUVERNE/CITY OF                 9,194.33 
LYON COUNTY LANDFILL           21,475.78 
MAYO CLINIC                 2,475.70 
MORRIS ELECTRONICS                 3,511.72 
OPG-3 INC                 2,189.00 
ROCK COUNTY OPPORTUNITIES                 2,734.29 
W & N CONSTRUCTION INC                 5,374.56 
WEX BANK                 2,329.04 
53 PAYMENTS LESS THAN $2,000           21,313.16 
     TOTAL               $157,225.42 
The County Board was in receipt of the Fund Balance report; motion by Burger, seconded by Overgaard, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
Kurtz informed the County Board that Resolution No. 22-22, authorizing conveyance of tax forfeited land to governmental subdivision (City of Hills) for conditional use was rejected by the Department of Revenue as the intended use (daycare facility) was not considered a public use.  Kurtz presented a new resolution, #30-22, authorizing the conveyance of tax-forfeited parcels to the City of Hills for the purchase price of $1.00 as per their request to correct a blighted area.  Motion by Williamson, seconded by Thompson, to approve Resolution No. 30-22, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator and Auditor/Treasurer led a discussion regarding the 2023 Budget and setting the Preliminary Levy. After considerable discussion,
motion by Thompson, seconded by Reisch, to set the Preliminary Levy at
$6,827,411.00, a 4.5% increase, declared carried on a voice vote.
Mark Sehr, Engineer, presented an amendment to the Road Use & Repair Agreement with Walleye Wind, stating that wind turbine component delivery route adjustments have been made due to MnDOT restrictions on the proposed haul routes due to the ongoing I-90 construction project. On a recommendation from the Engineer, motion by Williamson, seconded by Overgaard, to approve the amendment, declared carried on a voice vote.
The County Board was in receipt of a proposed ordinance for the sale of Hemp Derived Eligible Cannabis products; the Administrator stated that prior to adopting the proposed ordinance, a Public Hearing must be scheduled to allow for public comment. Motion by Thompson, seconded by Reisch, to schedule
a Public Hearing on October 18, 2022, at 9:05 a.m. in the Herreid Board meeting
room to allow public comment on the proposed Sale of Hemp Derived Eligible
Cannabis Products Ordinance, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator presented an update of the Opioid settlement, stating Rock County is scheduled to received $14,655.26/yr for the next nine years. Oldre stated that Rock County has been in receipt of several inquiries from organizations about expenditure eligibility, proper spending of opioid funds are as follows:
1. Spend the money to save lives
2. Use evidence to guide spending
3. Invest in youth prevention
4. Focus on racial equity
5. Develop a fair and transparent process for deciding where to spend the funds
6. All expenditures must be approved by board resolution.
The Administrator stated that New Vision Coop has submitted a tax abatement request for new construction at their existing facility at 1856 County Highway 4, Magnolia, MN.  The new construction includes the addition of a $1.5 million warehouse and will increase their employee base by (2) new employees. Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Thompson, to set a Public Hearing date of November 8, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. in the Herreid Board meeting room of the Rock County Courthouse, declared carried on a voice vote.
Auditor/Treasurer Ashely Kurtz also stated that she is in receipt of a Rock Home Initiative application from Alex and Sharon Nykamp for new construction located at 329 Rock River Drive, Edgerton, MN, located in Battle Plain township.  Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Thompson, to schedule a Public Hearing for November 8, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. in the Herreid Board meeting room of the Rock County Courthouse, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator reminded the County Board of the Rock Strong event sponsored by the Rock County EDA and Sioux Valley Electric scheduled for September 22nd; currently 30-40 invitees have confirmed their attendance.
The County Board was in receipt of correspondence from Representative Joe Schomacker requesting data from the Department of Public Safety Driver Vehicle Services regarding the schedule changes to drivers testing centers in Pipestone, Rock and Murray. The data request references details as to why the Pipestone, Rock and Murray DPS testing center’s office house are being downsized to (1) day per month, what recruitment efforts both locally and at the state DPS offices are being done to recruit additional employees.
The Administrator’s update included activities regarding the installation of security cameras at the Courthouse, budget details and economic development.
Commissioner Williamson stated that he attended the
following meetings: ACE Volunteer Appreciation, Rural Water,
Soil & Water Conservation District and Ordinance development.
Commissioner Thompson stated that she attended the following meetings: ACE Volunteer Appreciation, Ordinance development and Regional Development Commission.
Commissioner Overgaard stated that he attended the following meetings: Economic Development Authority and ACE Volunteer Appreciation.
Commissioner Burger stated that he attended the following meetings: ACE Volunteer Appreciation, Southwest Mental Health, Community Corrections, AMC Legislative Policy Conference and Personnel Committee of the County Board.
  Commissioner Reisch stated that he attended the following
meetings: Economic Development Authority, Personnel Committee of
the County Board, Southwestern MN Opportunity Council.
With no further business to come before the County Board,
the meeting was declared adjourned by order of the chair. 
(11-17)