Luverne city Council
By Lori SorensonAugust 05, 2026An amendment to Luverne’s government charter appears to be headed for the Nov. 3 general election ballot. If adopted by voters, it would change the structure and governance of Luverne’s municipal utilities, transferring powers and responsibilities from the city council to a "Municipal Services Commission.” This five-member commission (three elected, two appointed) would take over the city’s…
Council approves resolution to advance charter amendment but disapproves of process in getting thereBy Lori SorensonAugust 05, 2026Luverne City Council members took action at their July 28 meeting to advance the charter amendment question to the Nov. 3 general election ballot. They unanimously approved the resolution under statutory obligation, but they unanimously — and vocally — disapproved of the process by which they’d arrived at the point. Just ahead of casting their votes, each council member voiced disappointment…
July 08, 2026Rock County voters will participate in the Aug. 11 primary affecting the South Ward Luverne City Council seat. Early voting began last week and mail ballots will be sent out this week, so the Rock County Star Herald this week is featuring candidate profiles to inform voters on this local race. Candidates in each race received the same questions as their opponents with instructions to provide…- By Nicole RonchettiMay 13, 2026Local business owner Mert Kracht was elected to the Luverne City Council in 2024 and said he’s learned a great deal about government processes since then. Today, he’s agreed to share advice for newcomers considering running for public office in 2026. “I learn something new every time I’m at city hall for anything,” Kracht said. “If you’re thinking you want to make a difference or represent…
- By Lori SorensonMay 13, 2026The filing period for many public offices opens May 19 and those interested in seeking election to a local public office have until June 2 to throw their hats in the ring. Offices on the ballot in Rock County this year include •U.S. Senator and Congress •Minnesota Governor and Lieutenant Governor •Minnesota Secretary of State, State Auditor & Attorney General •State Senate and House…
By Lori SorensonMarch 04, 2026Luverne City Council members approved a quote by Climate Systems of Sioux Falls to replace the rooftop dehumidification unit at the city pool and fitness center. Council members approved the quote for $374,750, which includes: •a 40-ton two-compressor dehumidifier with a horizontal 2-inch double wall, bottom supply and return, building automation and control net integration, R454B refrigeration…
By Lori SorensonFebruary 25, 2026The outdoor skating area at the Blue Mound Ice Arena will become an all-seasons recreation area if grants and private funding come through. At their Tuesday, Feb. 17 meeting, Luverne City Council members took action to designate the rink as a “city park” and then passed a resolution to apply for an outdoor recreation grant. The city already owns the arena building, but to qualify for the grant…- By Lori SorensonFebruary 25, 2026Luverne City Council members took action at their Feb. 17 meeting to award the sale of $2.18 million in general obligation utility revenue bonds. The bonds will fund the replacement of the city’s aging water and sewer lines along Highway 75 during the road reconstruction project happening in Luverne this spring and summer. Working with George Eilertson of Northland Securities, Minneapolis, the…
By Lori SorensonFebruary 18, 2026Council members are considering a development proposal for downtown Luverne that would put vacant lots back on the tax rolls and fill a need for local affordable housing. Developer Don Jahnke of Impresa Modular presented the proposal during a council work session Tuesday, Feb. 10, in City Hall Council Chambers. He called his project “affordable housing, but not cheap housing. … We’re trying to…- By Lori SorensonApril 16, 2025At their regular meeting Tuesday, April 8, Luverne City Council members adopted ordinances regulating cannabis businesses and zoning. The latest ordinance is based on Minnesota statutes and includes laws for local government authority, laws for local registration and enforcement, laws for public use restrictions and more. It requires cannabis retail businesses to register with the city before…
By Lori SorensonFebruary 26, 2025At their Feb. 18 meeting, City Council members continued working on an ordinance to regulate cannabis dispensaries in Luverne. The council didn’t take official action at the meeting, which was more of a work session to address the required parameters of a cannabis ordinance. For example, among other things, they need to decide how many private retail license registrations will be allowed, how…- July 31, 2024Name: Dan Nath Occupation: Assistant director of quality assurance and on-site training services for Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association. I provide safety and quality training to several communities in Southwest Minnesota. I have lived in Luverne with my family for 27 years, since 1997. Leadership qualifications: I retired as chief from the Luverne fire department after serving with the…
By Lori SorensonJanuary 24, 2024Rock County’s School Resource Officer Jeff Stratton updated Luverne City Council members on his role with local students during their meeting Tuesday night, Jan. 23. “I’m building relationships with kids,” he told council members. That’s specifically what he was hired to do when the program started with the 2022-23 school year. The goal was to have a liaison between the Sheriff’s Office and…
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