Rock County Commissioners meet March 3
Rock County Board of Commissioners March 03, 2026
Herreid 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 Educate
Sherri Thompson
Ag Society
Gary Overgaard
Association of Minnesota Counties
All Commissioners
Kyle Oldre
Mark Sehr
Susan Skattum
AMC Policy Committees
Environmental & Natural Resources – Overgaard
General Government – Reisch
Health & Human Svcs – Thompson
Public Safety –
Transportation – Williamson
AMC District VIII Committees
Ag & Transportation – Overgaard
Ag & Rural Development Task Force- Overgaard
ATP –(alternate)
Land Use – Overgaard
Health & Human Services - Thompson
Audit Committee
Sherri Thompson
Jody Reisch
Kyle Oldre
Susan Skattum
Ashley Kurtz
Haidyn Heikes
Budget Committee
Sherri Thompson
Jody Reisch
Kyle Oldre
Ashley Kurtz
Susan Skattum
Buffalo Ridge Regional Railroad Authority
Stan Williamson
Sherri Thompson
Kyle Oldre, Exe Sec
Ashley Kurtz, Treas
Susan Skattum
Buildings Committee
Jody Reisch
Stan Williamson
Kyle Oldre
Children’s Justice Initiative
Stan Williamson
SWHHS Rep
Compliance Committee
Eric Hartman
Ashley Kurtz
Rachel Jacobs
Extension Committee
Gary Overgaard
Stan Williamson
Kurt Elbers
Lynette Jauert
Calla Jarvie
Matt Fodness
Gabriella Porter
Jordan Papik
Peyton Elbers (youth)
Judicial Ditch Advisory Board
Stan Williamson
Gary Overgaard
Eugene Peterson
Dean Wenzel
Roger Brockberg
Kanaranzi-Little Rock Watershed
Bill Jansma
Law Library Committee
Jody Reisch
Tim Connell
Damon Eisma
Luverne City/County Liaison Committee
Jody Reisch
Gary Overgaard
Kyle Oldre
Luverne Community Economic Development Corporation
Jody Reisch
Kyle Oldre (Alternate)
Luverne Initiatives For Tomorrow
Sherri Thompson
Lyon County Regional Landfill
Gary Overgaard
Multi County HRA
Jody Reisch
Personnel Committee
Stan Williamson
Jody Reisch
Jeff Haubrich
Kyle Oldre
Daryl Fuerstenberg
Highway Union rep
Arlyn Gehrke
Ashley Kurtz
Personnel Board of Appeals
Craig Oftedahl
Jill Wolf
Todd Holthaus
Private Industry Council Chief Elected Officials Board
Jody Reisch
Planning & Zoning Committee
Gary Overgaard
Brad Petersen
Gordon Mulder
Kurt Wenzel
Dave DeBoer
Mark Vander Pol
Jed Matthiesen
Mary Thompson (non-voting member)
Shayla Rock (non-voting member)
Eric Hartman (non-voting member)
Jeff Haubrich (non-voting member)
Planning & Zoning Board of Adjustments
Brad Petersen
Gordon Mulder
Mark Vander Pol
Kurt Wenzel
David DeBoer
Jed Matthiesen
Plum Creek Library Committee
Sherri Thompson
Rock/Pipestone County Collaborative
Jody Reisch
SWHHS Rep
PIC Representative
Todd Holthaus
SMOC Rep
Craig Oftedahl
Jon Ramlo
Public Health
Kyle Oldre
Rock County Community Library
Sherri Thompson
Leanne Maciejack
Marilyn Bergman
Ruth Aldrich
Margie Fuerstenberg
Holly Wessels
Jill Buss
Rock County EDA Committee
Gary Overgaard
Jody Reisch
Tammy Johnson
Keith Elbers
Tim Gust
David Riphagen
Dennis Madison
Josh Tuene
Kyle Oldre (ex-officio)
Ashely Kurtz (ex-officio)
Jeff Haubrich (ex-officio)
Rock County Opportunities
Nancy Walker
Rock County/HBC School Liaison
Stan Williamson
Jody Reisch
Kyle Oldre
Ali Breuer
Jeff Haubrich
Matthew Sorenson
Rock County Historical Society Advisory
Gary Overgaard
Rock County/Luverne School Liaison
Sherri Thompson
Gary Overgaard
Kyle Oldre
Stacy Schepel
Jeff Haubrich
Matthew Sorenson
Rock/Nobles Community Corrections Advisory Board
Stan Williamson
Jody Reisch
Jeff Haubrich
Jon Ramlo
Rock/Nobles Community Corrections Executive Board
Stan Williamson
Jody Reisch
Jeff Haubrich
Rock County Rural Water
Stan Williamson
Chad Overgaard
David Roozenboom
Matthew Sorenson
Casey Westphal
Eric Binford
Lila Bauer
Rock County Veterans Memorial
Rick Peterson
Gregg Groepel
Kyle Oldre
Safety Committee
Kyle Oldre
Susan Skattum
Eric Woodley
Robert Wenzel
Jeff Stratton
Brandon Bosch
Joe Pick
Gary Kurtz
Soil & Water Conservation District Board
Stan Williamson
SWCD/Rock County Liaison
Stan Williamson
Jody Reisch
Roger Hoff
Jim Veldkamp
Southwest Health & Human Services
Gary Overgaard
Jody Reisch
Suanne Ohme
Southwest Health & Human Services Nursing Hands Partnership Committee
(vacant)
Southwest MN Adult Mental Health Consortium
(vacant)
Southwest Minnesota Opportunities Council
Jody Reisch
Southwest MN Public Safety
Jody Reisch
Sherri Thompson
Matthew Sorenson
Southwest Regional Development Commission
Sherri Thompson
JoEllen Benson
Emergency Communications Board
Jody Reisch
Kyle Oldre (alternate)
Southwest Regional Radio Committee
Evan Verbrugge
Southwest Regional Rural Energy Task Force
Gary Overgaard
(Alternate)
Southwest Solid Waste Board
Gary Overgaard
(Alternate)
Southwest Regional EMS Board
Harlan Vande Kieft
Jody Reisch (alternate)
SWMN Tourism
Jane Lanphere
Travel Southwest/Explore SWMN
Jane Lanphere
Kenzie Klein
Wendell Buys
Transit Advisory Committee
Jody Reisch
Gary Overgaard
Tammy Johnson
Todd Holthaus
Molly Peterson
Kyle 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 following
meetings/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)
