Sept 23, 2025 Rice County Board observation notes by Orick Peterson, LWV
- Commissioner Hoisington called the meeting to order at 8:30 am September 23, 2025.
All members were present for the Pledge of Allegiance. Minutes of the last meeting and the agenda for today were read and approved unanimously.
A presentation was made for the retirement of Paula O’Connell from her position as Chief Financial Officer of the county.
II. ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES: Julie Runkel presented five requests.
A. Zoning Ordinance Amendment
The DeGroods own land in an industrial urban reserve, land reserved according to the Faribault City plan, for development. The DeGroods wish to install a solar farm, creating wider setbacks than required by law in order to preserve space for later development. All commissioners said they see both sides of this issue. Peters and Hoisington spoke of the importance of preserving owners’ rights to use their land as they choose. Hoisington then reported on what the planning commission said, pointing out that 1500 feet would remain to develop. Underdahl said most solar farms use agricultural land, but the power generated is used for urban areas. He said that development is iffy and that even a solar farm could be redeveloped later if needed. Five commissioners voted in favor of granting the request, while Hoisington and Malecha voted in favor of protecting the City of Faribault’s plan. The request was granted.
B. Interim Use Permit/Ekstrand – Section 27, Webster Township
C. Waiver of Plat/Hebel – Section 22, Webster Township
D. Final Plat/Kubes – Section 3, Webster Township
E. Interim Use Permit/Clobes – Section 12, Wheeling Township
All four other requests were granted unanimously without discussion.
III. Veteran Service Officer Tracy McBroom asked for approval to accept a $12,500 grant from the Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs.
No discussion. Unanimous appproval.
IV. Information Technology Manager Allan Klug requested permission to renew the annual license for Adobe products, Acrobat and Creative Cloud. His department checked usage of the two applications and reduced the size of the county’s contract by 38 seats with a current price of just under $44,000 for this year.
No discussion. Unanimous appproval.
V. In order to deal with the next item, the commissioners voted to enter their status as community health commissioners. No discussion. Unanimous appproval.
Public Health Director Deb Purfeerst asked permission to accept a SHIP (Statewide Health Improvement Project) grant from the Minnesota Health Department for $202,515 for the first year, which had already been approved as part of her department’s budget. This is a 5-year grant with an agreement lasting until Oct 31 2030.
No discussion. Unanimous appproval.
The board then voted to shed their identities as community health commisioners.
No discussion. Unanimous appproval
VI. Rice County Facilities Manager Chris Kluge requested permission to accept 3 bids for 3 different aspects of reconfiguring the new layout of the old law enforcement center for community corrections use.
He requested to accept the lower of two bids for the contracting from Healy Construction at $94,850, which was about half of the only other bid.
No discussion. Unanimous appproval.
B. He received two separate floor covering bids, one from the state contractor, the other from a local bidder, Faribault Interiors, which was lower, at $35,000. He requested permission to accept the lower bid.
No discussion. Unanimous appproval.
C. Kluge also requested approval to accept a quote for the security furnishings of the upper level Law Enforcement Center remodel project to PAAPE Companies, inc., the county’s usual security contractor, in the amount of $34,055.
No discussion. Unanimous appproval.
VII. Sheriff Jesse Thomas requested permission to purchase a new X ray inspection system, which had been scheduled for next year. Unfortunately 2 breakdowns at repair costs of $4000 each have moved the replacement date up. Smith’s Detection will supply the new X ray machine at a cost of $29,230.
Commissioner Purfeerst asked whether the old one is worth anything in re-sale, but Thomas said that on the contrary it will probably cost us to dispose of it.
No discussion. Unanimous appproval.
VIII. Highway Director Luebbe was replaced at the meeting by a member of his department.
- He asked for approval to award a contract to Erickson Engineering in the amount of $64,826.00 for the design of a bridge to replace bridge # L2752 on Karow Trail in Northfield Township, with costs to be borne by the township.
No discussion. Unanimous appproval.
- He asked for approval to reject bids for slop stabilization on Robards Lake, as they were very high bids and MNDOT would not fund. He will rebid this winter for early next year and if possible get more money from state aid disaster funds.
Purfeerst asked whether temporary stabilization will keep it okay this winter. Yes.
Unanimous approval.
IX. Luebbe was replaced by Deb Purfeerst and Amani Alam from the Health Department.
The request is to endorse the Children & Family Outdoor Bill of Rights, March 2025, produced by area partners (River Bend Nature Center, City of Faribault and our County Parks Plan) to promote awareness, education and usage of our natural resources to promote healthy lifestyle and build community relationships. In addition, it may be used as a tool to enhance funding opportunities for agencies seeking grants to develop infrastructures, staff, programs and/or equipment. There is no cost associated with this endorsement.
Malecha asked what will you do with it?
Amani Alam said it will strengthen grant applications and maybe help create regional parks
Unanimous appproval.
X. Community corrections officers Angela Brewer and Toby Anderson provided an update on behavioral health programs working with addiction. There are community-based coordinators in each police station to assist with de-escalation, resources for food, health, shelter, and meet other needs.
They introduced individual officers and related anecdotes of success.
Purfeerst asked what the shelf life of Narcan is. The official answer is 2 years, but it can last “forever.” The question how many Narcan packets are used per year got the answer, “lots.”
Hoisington commented that we are all touched by someone who is injured by involvement with drugs.
XI. County Administrator Sara Folsted presented the consent agenda.
No discussion. Unanimous approval.
XII. Retiring CFO Paula O’Connell presented the preliminary tax levy again, as it must be approved by Sep 30. The final levy and budgets will be adopted on December 23rd following a public hearing on Thursday, December 11th at 6 p.m. in the County Government Service Building.
This preliminary levy is set at $43,291,990, for an increase in 2026 of 8.71% over 2025.The final levy can not be higher than the preliminary levy certified in September.
No discussion. Unanimous approval.
Folsted presented a resolution to name Interim CFO Peggy Schaak and Interim Investment officer Fran Windschitl to manage banking and other tasks in O’Connell’s absence.
No discussion. Unanimous approval.
XIII. The Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 9:54 am.
