Rock County Commissioners
meet Feb. 7
Herreid Board Room 9:00 A.M.
Rock County Courthouse Feb. 7, 2023
The meeting was called to order by Chair Thompson with Commissioners Overgaard, Williamson, Burger and Reisch present. Also in attendance were County Attorney Jeff Haubrich and Deputy Administrator Susan Skattum and Mavis Fodness.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Reisch, to approve the February 07, 2023, County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Burger, seconded by Williamson, to approve the January 17, 2023 County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Reisch, to approve the consent agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
1.Safe Assure Renewal - $7,382.68; service contract agreement for safety training and compliance.
Adam Buss, New York Life Insurance Company Registered Representative, informed the County Board of a variety of benefits to offer to Rock County employees to include a whole life insurance option; Mr. Buss requested the opportunity to give Rock County a quote. After considerable discussion, the request was tabled.
Ashley Kurtz, Auditor/Treasurer presented the claims and per diems of $900.00; motion by Overgaard, seconded by Burger, to approve the claims and per diems, declared carried on a voice vote. A complete listing of the claims is available upon request at the Auditor/Treasurer's office.
FEBRUARY 7, 2023 CLAIMS OVER $2,000
A & B BUSINESS INC $2,849.60
AMC / MACA 7,875.00
CONVERGINT TECHNOLOGIES LLC 10,000.00
ELLIS & EASTERN 13,912.50
ERICKSON ENGINEERING 10,050.50
HOWES OIL CO 3,961.50
LITTLE FALLS MACHINE INC 3,321.66
LUVERNE/CITY OF 29,558.37
MORRIS ELECTRONICS 10,076.30
MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS INC 6,825.00
NOBLES COUNTY AUDITOR-TREASURER 5,580.00
PLUM CREEK LIBRARY SYSTEM 3,250.00
PRODUCTIVITY PLUS ACCOUNT 4,740.36
REVIZE LLC 2,200.00
ROCK COUNTY OPPORTUNITIES 3,251.37
RURAL MN ENERGY BOARD 2,500.00
SAFEASSURE CONSULTANTS INC 7,382.68
SHORT-ELLIOTT-HENDRICKSON, INC 4,270.29
SOUTHWEST HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES 34,600.98
STAPLES ENTERPRISES INC 4,717.26
SW REGIONAL SOLID WASTE COMMISSION 2,500.00
TRANSOURCE TRUCK & EQUIPMENT INC 4,184.17
WIDSETH SMITH NOLTING & ASSOC, INC 10,014.00
ZIEGLER INC 37,246.07
87 PAYMENTS LESS THAN $2,000 36,740.73
TOTAL $261,608.34
The County Board was in receipt of the Fund Balance report which reflected the last settlement of the 2022 property tax collection, and bond payments for Northland Securities. Motion by Reisch, seconded by Thompson, to approve the Fund Balance, declared carried on a voice vote.
The County Board was in receipt of a Gravel Tax Collection & Distribution report for Y2022; the total collected for 2022 was $186,532.23, an increase of twenty-eight percent from 2021. The gravel tax revenue was distributed as follows:
Road & Bridge 75,312.44
Special Reserve Fund 26,580.85
Admin Fees 9,326.50
Townships 75,312.44
The County Board was in receipt of a year to date report identifying how Rock County has spent their $1,809,330 in ARPA Funds and $50,000 in Local Assistance & Tribal Consistency Funds; distribution is as follows:
Rock County Ag Society Fair COVID Expenses 41,074.00
Alliance Communications Fiber Construction 31,600.00
Rock County Ag Society State Contribution 81,686.00
Service Master Recovery Management Duct Cleaning 62,563.20
City of Hills Initial Allocation 100,000.00
City of Beaver Creek Initial Allocation 18,538.00
City of Beaver Creek Initial Allocation 81,462.00
City of Steen Initial Allocation 100,000.00
Sanford Luverne Medical Center Power Lift 42,402.05
City of Magnolia Initial Allocation 100,000.00
City of Hardwick Initial Allocation 100,000.00
City of Kenneth Initial Allocation 100,000.00
Generations Room Rental 325.00
Rock County EDA Initial Allocation 50,000.00
Rock County EDA Initial Allocation 25,000.00
City of Hills Initial Allocation 100,000.00
City of Luverne Initial Allocation 100,000.00
*Rock County Rural Water Application pending 100,000.00
*Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water Application pending 100,000.00
Remaining Balance ARPA 474,679.75
The Auditor/Treasurer requested approval to re-issue lost warrant #10214, payable to Lewis & Clark for the amount of $13,354.27; motion by Reisch, seconded by Williamson, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Auditor/Treasurer led a discussion regarding election voting options and whether or not to eliminate the mail ballot process; precincts would replace the mail ballot process with a designated polling place for each precinct, equipped with electronic ballot machines and judges. The Auditor/Treasurer also identified how precinct locations can be shared, along with election judges, but rosters and ballots may be an issue at a shared location. Before any changes are implemented, it was determined to schedule a meeting for townships and small city officials to attend to determine if any changes need to be made.
Mark Sehr, Engineer, requested to approve Resolution No. 03-23, a bridge priority listing for replacement or major rehabilitation and authorizing MnDOT to release funds from with the Town Bridge Account or the State Transportation Fund. Motion by Burger, seconded by Overgaard, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
The County Board reviewed a previous request from the City of Luverne for a contribution of $1,000,000 for the proposed daycare building renovation project. Motion by Reisch, to pledge $450,000 of the county’s ARPA funds to the Daycare project; Commissioner Thompson seconded the motion and called for a roll call vote with Commissioners Thompson and Reisch voting aye and Commissioners Williamson, Overgaard and Burger voting nay; motion failed. Additional conversation followed resulting in a motion by Commissioner Overgaard to pledge $250,000 payable immediately and an additional $200,000 contingent on the fundraising campaign which will determine whether or not the project will move forward. Commissioner Reisch seconded by motion and a roll call vote was taken with Commissioners Overgaard, Reisch and Thompson voting aye and Commissioners Williamson and Burger voting nay; motion was declared carried.
The Administrator presented an update regarding repair to be made to the Terrace and Tunnel structures stating that the Engineer’s work is complete and that the project will go to bid this spring.
The Administrator also provided updates on the following building projects:
•HVAC at Human Services Building – the timeline is scheduled for April – July where SWHHS and Extension staff will vacate the building and move the TCI/Tri State building across the street; RNCC will assist with moving. A lease agreement with the City of Luverne is forthcoming.
•Chiller at the Courthouse and Library – scheduled for September
The County Board was in receipt price quote from Johnson Controls Inc totaling 17,067.00 for repairs and replacement of boiler at the Library building; motion by Reisch, seconded by Thompson to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
The County Board discussed the appointment of a representative to the Regional Trails Group; it was determined that Commissioner Thompson would fill that role.
The Administrator presented a 3-year service contract from David Drowns Associates to provide ongoing maintenance for classification and compensation systems at Rock County. The ongoing maintenance efforts will ensure that Rock County stays relatively current with the market and compensation. The annual cost of the contract is $11,475. Motion by Reisch, seconded by Overgaard to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Burger, seconded by Williamson, to approve the Southwest Adult Mental Health Consortium Fiscal Host Master Agreement, declared carried on a voice vote. The Southwest Adult Mental Health Consortium is an 18-county joint powers agreement with Des Moines Valley serving as the fiscal host.
The Administrator discussed legislative issues and the impact:
•Family Paid Leave – a .7% payroll tax, is expected to pass; impact will be if the tax is paid by the employer or split between the employer and employee
•Juneteenth/June 13 Holiday – passed and is a state and federal holiday
•County Program Aid (CPA) – adjustments are proposed to the funding formula which may result in additional funds
•Cannabis – still being addressed
Commissioner Williamson stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Rock Nobles Cattlemen’s Banquet, Beaver Creek Township.
Commissioner Reisch stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Rock Nobles Cattlemen’s Banquet, Liaison, Southwest Minnesota Opportunity Council.
Commissioner Overgaard stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Hardwick Economic Development, Solid Waste, Rural Energy, Liaison, Rock Nobles Cattlemen’s Banquet.
Commissioner Burger stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Rock Nobles Cattlemen’s Banquet
Commissioner Thompson stated that she attended the following meetings/events: Plum Creek Library, Southwest Health & Human Services, ACE, Rock Nobles Cattlemen’s Banquet.
With no further business to come before the County Board, the meeting was declared adjourned.
(03-09)
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