Rice County Board of Commissioners meeting December 16, 2025
observed by Ricky Peterson
I. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Hoisington called the meeting to order at 8:30.The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. All ccommissioners were present and unanimously approved the agenda and the minutes of the December 2, 2025, regular meeting.
II. OUTSIDE AGENCY: Steve Pahs, District Manager of the Rice County Soil & Water Conservation District led an update on activities of the agency, focusing on federal money now being used to fund contracts with landowners for strip-till and no-till solutions and windbreak plantings.
Rice Soil & Water Conservation District Outreach Coordinator Teresa DeMars described educational initiatives in schools, focusing on expansion of Pocket of Prairie programs
in classrooms.
Commissioner Purfeerst expressed appreciation for the efforts. Commissioner Malecha appreciated their work and thanked staff for their active work on the watershed.
III. PROPERTY TAX & ELECTIONS: Property Tax and Elections Director Denise Anderson requested that the board reappoint Rice County Extension Member Clarice DeGrood for a 3-year term from January 1st, 2026, to December 31st, 2028 and reappoint Rice County Extension Member Sandi Fuchs for a 3-year term from January 1st, 2026, to December 31st, 2028. Both were unanimously approved.
IV. ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES: Environmental Services Director Julie Runkel presented several requests.
The first was the third application for an interim use permit from New Leaf Energy on behalf of landowners Poplar Grove Farms LLC and Richard Nielsen to allow for a 4.99MW solar energy production facility. The property is Zoned UR, Urban Reserve.
It was reported that at a meeting the previous evening with Morristown, some compromises were reached. A new agreement was signed, but the relevant township had yet to agree. Commissioner Peters wanted to know details of the solution This was vaguely answered.
Administrator Hoisington asked the Morristown city administrator to introduce herself. Her name is Ellen Judd.
Commissioner Purfeerst said he was skeptical that the $250,000 to be set aside for decommissioning would cover costs 25 years in the future.
Commissioner Peters pointed out this is a rush now, with a big change that just happened last night.
Commissioner Malecha said that he had objected earlier to this request, and he felt that this speed was chaotic.
Commissioners Underdahl and Hoisington each said there was not enough time to consider last-minute information and to hear feedback.
Director Runkel pointed out that this issue is coming close to its deadline but it is possible that deadline could be extended a month.
Hoisington asked whether it is possible to delay.
The only way was to retract the motion of denial and to tell the applcant to go back to the planning commission and ask to reopen the public hearing. To facilitate this delay, the motion to deny and its second were then withdrawn, and a new motion was made to extend the deadline by sending the request back to reopen a public hearing on January 8 at 7 pm. This proposal was unaninmously approved.
The remaining requests below were all unanimously approved.
B. Preliminary and Final Plat/Brumm – Section 9, Wheatland Township
C. Conditional Use Permit/Bath – Section 25, Walcott Township
D. Interim Use Permit/Romani – Section 15, Wells Township
E. Interim Use Permit/New Energy Equity (Hubers) – Section 18, Northfield Township
Purfeerst asked about a culvert in this project and Commisssioner Peters said that item had not been decided at the planning commission.
F. Interim Use Permit/New Energy Equity (Hubers) – Section 17, Northfield Township
G. Interim Use Permit/US Solar (DeGrood) – Section 11, Warsaw Township
H. Re-appointment to the Planning Commission/Board of Adjustment
Garrett Johnson and Matt Purfeerst have completed their first term on the planning commission and are willing to commit to a second term. Runkel requested that the Board re-appoint them for a second term, starting 1/1/2026 and ending 12/31/2028.
Commissioner Pufeerst abstained and the motion carried.
I. Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Expansion Feasibility Study in 2026.
It is hoped that the county landfill may last till 2035. Commissioner Purfeerst asked whether solar equipment would be recyclable in 25 years. Director Runkel said we hope so.
The study was unanimously approved.
The next item was taken out of order.
IX. SHERIFF’S OFFICE: Jesse Thomas requested that the board approve the new
2026-27 Violent Crime Enforcement Teams Grant Contract Agreement with its $212,000 MN state grant. It was unanimously approved.
He also requested approval of Resolution #25-055 accepting a 2026-27 Snowmobile Safety Enforcement (SSE) Safety Grant from the state for $7000+. It was unanimously approved.
His third request was for Resolution #25-054 approving the 2026-27 Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Safety Grant from the state of $11,000+ for 2 years. It was unanimously approved.
V. DRAINAGE AUTHORITY: The board then voted to transform itself into the drainage authority to consider the next issue.
Jarett Spitzack asked for approval of the 2026 hourly rate for drainage ditch legal services. It was unanimously approved.
He also requested approval of Drainage System Repair and Maintenance Policies for the County Drainage Ditches and a Work Within Public Drainage System Right-of-Way Policy. This too was unanimously approved.
The county board then voted itself out of drainage authority.
VI. FACILITIES:
County Parks and Facilities Manager Chris Kluge requested approval to declare several vehicles as county surplus to be sold.
2014 Chevrolet Impala with VIN No. 2G1WA5E34E1115051
2014 Chevrolet Impala with VIN No. 2G1WA5E35E1115964
2012 Chevrolet Impala with VIN No. 2G1WF5E30C1266001
One commissioner asked about their mileageand was told each had a mileage of
around 100,000 miles.
This was unanimously approved.
VII. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY:
Information Technology Manager Allan Klug asked for approval of a contract with Rice County Security Assessment and Consulting for 4 years at $44,000 per year. Commissioner Underdahl asked about the timing of the services and was told that consulting is ongoing and assessment is periodic.
It was unanimously approved.
VIII. COMMUNITY SERVICES:
Family Supports and Operations Manager Mike Johnston introduced the department’s new fiscal manager. He asked the board to approve an amendment to the existing Workforce Development, Inc. contract, which was unanimously approved.
He also asked for approval of a service agreement for families funded by the state and federal governments. Commissioner Purferst asked whether is was mandated or optional and Johnston said mandated. Commissioner Hoisington asked how much money was involved and where it comes from. Johnston said it is based on the volume of cases. The base amount is $475,000 to administer the program and each family qualifies by income level and household size. Johnston reported that thanks to internal adjustments to Rice County services, the program is now fully funded. The goal is to help people get to work and leave this program, and it has been very successful.
Johnston and Financial Assistance Supervisor Melinda Rodriguez requested approval of the
Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) Biennial Agreement for 2026-2027.
Rice County will receive $474,632 each year of the biennium, which is a combination of state and federal funding. This plan specifies how Rice County plans to allocate grant funding toward the goal of accomplishing economic stability for low-income families residing in Rice County
X. HIGHWAY:
A. Highway Engineer Dennis Luebbe presented updates on the Highway Department’s work. A public meeting on December 26 will elicit comments to present to the commissioners on the proposed 10 year construction program.
Luebbe noted that early winter snows had presented a challenge but the department is up to the task. Commissioner Hoisington commended the department.
XI. FINANCE:
Chief Financial Officer Peggy Schaak asked for adoption of Resolution #25-057 Levying Tax on Taxable Property and defining the 2026 Budget. There will be $43 million county levee. A lively discussion followed.
Commissioner Peters said we will have to start talking earlier and bring it down.
Commissioner Malecha said the state has to do something. It can’t go on passing mandates without funding them. County staff have to be paid and be able to execute job. These programs that are important and good but the state must help fund them. We have to tell our legislators. The valuation of property has to change and at the county level we can’t change the state formula.
Commissioner Underdahl observed that each year we see increasing needs in the county. The population grows and the people need or want more services. The looming state deficit in ‘27-’29 is not ours but it burdens local property taxes. We need broadly a change in the way government is funded. Property, income, all taxes have to be considered together, and we may need to re-imagine some programs.
Commissioner Purfeerst agreed and emphasized we need to start within our own county. He specifically proposed that each department can cut expenses by 5% next year. We must look at what is and isn’t mandated and look for ways to trim some costs. He recognized that Schaak has a tough position, which she just stepped into.
Commissioner Hoisington agreed ans asked what the percentage tax increase is, which is
8.51%. Hoisington said that we have a vicious circle of need rising as taxes increase. Hoisington wished he could fix it. He said we can always do better with services and efficiencies. 8.51% was hard to get to and yet is not very attractive.
Finally the budget and levy were unanimously approved.
Schaak also asked for approval of the 2026 Fee Schedule.
It was unanimously approved.
XII. HUMAN RESOURCE:
Human Resource Manager Kari Viskocil requested approval of the Wellness Works Program for 2026. At this time 118 employees qualify.
It was unanimously approved.
XIII. ADMINISTRATION:
County Administrator Sara Folsted asked for approval of the consent agenda.
It was unanimously approved.
Folsted also asked for approval of the re-appointment of Veterans’ Service Officer Tracy McBroom for another four-year term. Commissioner Malecha thanked her for services. He reported that Northfield veterans like her.
It was unanimously approved.
XIV. ADJOURNMENT was unanimously approved at 10:04 am.
