Rock County Commissioners met Aug. 4
Rock County Board of Commissioners August 4, 2026
Herreid Board Room 9:00 A.M.
Rock County Courthouse
Chair Williamson called the meeting to order with all Commissioners present.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance.
Agenda of 4 August 2026 was approved on a motion by Reisch seconded by Thompson, declared carried on a voice vote.
Meeting minutes of 21 July 2026 county board meeting were approved on a motion by Overgaard seconded by Reisch declared carried on a voice vote.
Todd Holthaus, Superintendent Hills-Beaver Creek, Jane Blank, Clerk City of Beaver Creek, Janet Bush, Public Health Representative Southwest Health and Human Services, and Chris Webb, Transportation Planner Southwest Regional Development Commission presented information on Safe Routes to Schools Plan. They will be working on their safe routes plan with the hope of applying for funding for the 2027-2028 school year if items are identified in the planning process. A letter of support will be provided to the County Board for their consideration of supporting their plan once developed. They also invited the county to appoint an individual to the planning committee; the plan will take 9-10 months to develop and involve four meetings. The board thanked them for their presentation.
Eric Hartman, Land Management Director, presented a conditional use permit for Tillman Infrastructure to construct a telecommunications tower in Martin Township just south of Hills. Hartman informed the County Board that the permit had its hearing at the Planning and Zoning Commission and there were no comments received, and the Planning and Zoning recommended approval. Motion by Overgaard seconded by Williamson to approve the conditional use permit, declared carried on a voice vote.
There was a request from Nobles County to have Rock County join their Certificate of Need for the Nobles County Landfill; after discussion the County Board noted that we had previously committed our municipal solid waste to the Lyon County Regional Landfill and couldn’t join the Nobles County Certificate of Need request. Motion Reisch seconded by Overgaard to deny and notify Nobles County of Rock County’s position with Lyon County, declared carried on a voice vote.
Hartman also informed the County Board that the Household Hazardous collections site will officially be open at their Fletcher Street location on the 6th of August.
Hartman also discussed the current arrangement with Lyon County regarding back-haul of demolition and explained that there had been a misunderstanding on Rock County’s desire to continue to receive Lyon County’s demolition and that following recent discussions Lyon County will resume sending their demolition to Rock County.
Ashley Kurtz, Auditor/Treasurer, presented claims with additions; Superior Caulking for work on the Courthouse in the amounts of $93,430, $200 and $300, and to Concrete Creations in the amount of $2,880 for sidewalk work on the southwest corner of the Courthouse. Claims with the additions were approved on a motion by Reisch seconded by Thompson, 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 80,635.37
Public Works Fund 18,840.06
Library Fund 4,577.11
Capital Projects Fund 135,707.06
Land Management Fund 4,346.90
Fund balances were approved on a motion by Overgaard seconded by Thompson declared carried on a voice vote.
Auditor warrants were received and reviewed; motion by Overgaard seconded by Reisch declared carried on a voice vote.
The Auditor/Treasurer requested the County Board appoint (2) Commissioners to serve on the canvassing board on Friday the 14th of August, Commissioners Reisch and Williamson were appointed by order of the Chair.
The Auditor/Treasurer informed the County Board that the redemption period for tax forfeited properties has finished, and (3) properties were forfeited to the county:
Parcel 20-1000-000 located in the City of Luverne
Parcel 15-0047-000 located in the City of Hills
Parcel 19-0057-000 located in the City of Steen
Kurtz will present a follow-up with the County Board regarding next steps at a later date.
Matthew Sorenson, Sheriff, requested signature authority for a grant from Department of Public Safety for a program, Toward Zero Deaths. The program grants money to Sheriff’s Offices for added traffic enforcement to reduce serious motor vehicle accidents.
The County Board was informed of an upcoming informational meeting hosted by PowerOn Midwest August 5th @ Generations in Luverne 10 a.m. - noon.
The County Board was informed of the 2026 Minnesota Counties Intergovernmental Trust dividend; this year the dividend will be $23,701.
Commissioner Reisch stated that he attended the following meetings/events: City/County Liaison
Commissioner Overgaard stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Southwest Health and Human Services, Regional Solid Waste, Regional Energy Board, Planning and Zoning, and City/County Liaison.
Commissioner Thompson stated that she attended the following meetings/events: none
Commissioner Williamson stated that he attended the following meetings/events: none
With no further business coming before the County Board, the meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair.
(10-15)
