Rock County Commissioners meet May 18
Herreid Board Room 9:00 A.M.
Rock County Courthouse May 18, 2021
The meeting was called to order by the Chair with all Commissioners present; also in attendance were Administrator Kyle Oldre, Deputy Administrator Susan
Skattum, Star-Herald Reporter Mavis Fodness and County Attorney Jeff Haubrich.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance.
Motion by Burger, seconded by Reisch, to approve the May 18, 2021,
County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Burger, to approve the May 04, 2021,
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. Authorize Luverne Country Club to conduct a raffle/MN Gaming Permit
Jim Veldkamp, representing the Jasper Community Ambulance organization and Mike Baustian, City of Jasper Mayor, presented an activity update and a funding request. Currently the organization has thirteen full time volunteer EMTs and a waiting list of three. Their service area includes portions of Rock County, Pipestone County and Minnehaha County South Dakota. They have recently purchased a new ambulance in 2021 replacing a 15-year old ambulance. Funding includes county appropriations, community fundraisers, grants, and appropriations from South Dakota townships within the Jasper Ambulance service area. Rock County’s current appropriation to the Jasper Community Ambulance is $1,300 and has been that amount since 2005; Veldkamp requested an appropriation increase for the amount of $4,836. After considerable discussion, it was determined to host a meeting with all ambulance service organizations to develop new funding/appropriation amounts.
Tom Houselog, Land Records Office Director/Assessor, led a discussion regarding property valuations and the impact; the Land Records Office assesses fifteen out of twenty taxing districts within the county. Property valuations are market driven and currently, agriculture values are going down and residential values are going up. There are seventeen taxing districts that have opted to an “open book” process to dispute their property values, the other districts utilize their local Board of Appeal and Equalization process prior to the County Board of Appeal and Equalization process. Houselog stated that the office is always appreciative of valuation inquiries and happy to review the process with any property owner.
The County Board was informed that the Assessing Contracts with city municipalities will expire 12/31/2021; the Administrator and LRO Director were directed to develop new contracts with updated rates for the new contract cycle.
Ryan Holtz, Rural Water System Manager presented a number of
informational updates:
•Review of distribution map and system updates
•Recent Minnesota Department of Health audit resulting in no deficiencies
•Review of a study conducted by Banner to assist with future water needs; the results indicate that water needs continue to increase and that the system needs more water storage on the west and north side of the system.
•Review of system map identifying where improvements need to be made; improvements consist of replacing pipe and (3) new water towers.
•Lewis & Clark project is nearing completion within 4-6 years
and water allotments will be absolute.
The Administrator informed the County Board of U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s announcement regarding the return of Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) in the Fiscal Year 2022 federal appropriation process and that Senator Smith is currently accepting requests for Minnesota-based projects. Oldre stated that Highway Engineer Sehr intends to submit an application for (3) road projects and recommended that Rural Water submit an application as well. Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Thompson, to authorize Holtz to submit an application to the CDS for Rural Water System improvements, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator also stated the Rural Water System improvement project is an eligible expenditure for the federal American Rescue Plan funds.
Ashley Kurtz, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims; motion by Overgaard, seconded by Reisch, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote. A complete listing of the claims is available upon request at the Auditor/Treasurer's office.
MAY 18, 2021 CLAIMS OVER $2,000
ALLIANCE COMMUNICATIONS COOP $5,763.00
BREMIK MATERIALS, INC 9,367.58
CHS 5,608.07
COUNTIES PROVIDING TECHNOLOGY 6,584.00
DAKOTA ALIGNMENT 3,035.66
FLEET SERVICES DIVISION-ADMIN FMR 6,569.32
FORUM COMMUNICATIONS PRINTING 2,179.95
HEAT TACTICAL TEAM 7,500.00
KETTERLING SERVICES INC 13,989.55
LUVERNE/CITY OF 34,207.52
LYON COUNTY LANDFILL 14,616.36
MORRIS ELECTRONICS 4,292.16
OCV LLC 2,995.00
ROCK COUNTY OPPORTUNITIES 2,168.21
ROYAL TIRE INC 2,686.96
SOUTHWEST HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES 34,589.14
STAPLES ENTERPRISES INC 2,663.07
TOLLEFSON PUBLI 2,583.37
73 PAYMENTS LESS THAN $2,000 27,321.27
TOTAL $194,862.51
The County Board was in receipt of the Fund Balance report which reflected the first half of the property tax collection; motion by Reisch, seconded by Overgaard, to approve the Fund Balance report, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Auditor/Treasurer stated that she has applied for the Rock County’s allotment of the American Rescue Plan funds; eligible expenditures include the following: emergent Public Health needs; negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency; equity-focused services; replace public sector revenue loss due to the COVID-19 public health emergency; premium pay for essential employees; investments to water, sewer and broadband infrastructure.
Mark Sehr, Engineer, requested authorization for final contract payment of $88,756.27 to Duininck Inc for the 2020 Sidewalk, Curb & Gutter, and Bituminous Mill/Overlay Projects in Magnolia, Beaver Creek, Steen, Hills, and Hardwick, projects SAP 067-611-009, SAP 067-623-003, SAP 067-624-004, SAP 067-625-006, SAP 067-627-003, and SAP 067-628-004. Motion by Burger, seconded by Reisch, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Engineer presented bids for the purchase of a skid steer loader:
John Deere Compact Track Loader 333G w/Bucket $68,500.00
John Deer Attachments:-
SB78D snow blower 7,861.68
RS72Rotary Cutter 12,409.08
Heavy Duty 60” Frame & Forks 1,400.83
Attachment total: $21,671.59
Bobcat Compact Tract Loader T4/w Bucket $64,926.36
Bobcat Attachments:
SB240 snow blower 5,972.08
80” Brushcat Rotary Cutter 6,892.15
Heavy Duty 48” Frame & Forks 832.96
Attachment Total: $13,697.19
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Reisch, to approve the John Deere bids for the Compact Track Loader $68,500.00 and John Deere attachments for $21,671.59 for a grand total of $90,171.19, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Engineer presented bids to replace the Tractor Backhoe which also
included bids for a Track Excavator as an additional options:
Tractor Backhoe Tractor Excavator
Case 590SN $121,500.00 Case CX160D 167,485.75
Attachments 13,536.00 Attachments 15,940.00
Less trade in (24,600.00) Less trade in (24,600.00)
Total $110,436.00 Total $179,332.98
John Deere 410L $118,600.00 John Deere 160GLC $153,384.43
Attachments 15,115.00 Attachments 27,045.00
Less trade in (25,000.00) Less trade (25,000.00)
Total $108,715.00 Total $155,429.43
RDO/Cat430 $133,964.94 RDO/Cat 317GC $190,379.98
Attachments 21,240.00 Attachments 15,403.00
Less trade in (16,000.00) Less trade in 26,450.00
Total $139,204.94 Total $179,332.98
After considerable discussion, motion by Reisch, seconded by Burger, to accept the Excavator bid from John Deere for $155,429.43, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator informed the County Board that the MN Legislative Session has tentatively agreed upon a $52 billion budget; more information will be forthcoming.
Commissioner Reisch stated that he had attended the following
meetings: Southwest MN Opportunity Council, Library, Community Corrections
and Law Enforcement contract.
Commissioner Thompson stated that she had attended the following meetings: none
Commissioner Overgaard stated that he had attended the following meetings:
Walleye Wind PUC event and Community Transit Advisory.
Commissioner Burger stated that he had attended the following meetings: Southwestern Mental Health, Community Corrections, Law Enforcement contract.
Commissioner Williamson stated that he had attended the following meetings:
Rural Water, Southwestern Mental Health.
With no further business to come before the County Board, the meeting
was declared adjourned by order of the Chair.
(08-12)
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