- PUBLIC FORUM: No commenters
- AGENDA
- I. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
- A. Roll Call
- Note: many young people in attendance today, so staff, sheriff, attorney and commissioners did introductions
- Hoisington – not present
- Those not on microphone could not be heard via zoom stream, so observer flagged this for staff.
- Six residents on zoom, other than staff.
- B. Approval of Agenda
- C. Approval of Minutes – Regular Meeting – March 24, 2026
- II. PROPERTY TAX & ELECTIONS: Denise Anderson
- A. Renewal of Consumption and Display permit for Winjum Shady Acres Resort, 17759 W 177th St Faribault, for the licensing period of April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027
- B. Consumption and Display permit for Fireside Orchard & Gardens, 2225 Lonsdale Blvd E Northfield, for the period of April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027
- Both approved.
- Anderson explained to youth what consumption and display means. It means the business can have “set-ups” aka mixers and ice, but patrons bring their own alcohol.
- III. ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES: Julie Runkel
- Runkel explained what a conditional use permit is and what she brings to the board.
- A. Conditional Use Permit/Dvorak – Section 16, Webster Township
- B. Conditional Use Permit/Casalenda – Section 3, Webster Township
- C. Conditional Use Permit/Chmelik – Section 16, Warsaw Township
- D. Preliminary Plat/Jandro – Section 12, Richland Township
- Purfeerst: Thanks Jandro for this project in Richland Township, which is very lightly populated.
- E. Interim Use Permit/DeGrood – Section 11, Warsaw Township
- F. Interim Use Permit/Clobes – Section 12, Wheeling Township
- G. Purchase of Portable Litter Fences
- H. Purchase of Additional Roll-off Containers
- All the above approved.
- Described how solid waste expenses are funded.
- IV. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: Allan Klug
- Described role.
- Malecha asked Klug to describe his budget and where it comes from.
- A: It’s about $4million. It comes from property taxes, largely, as well as some grants.
- Malecha: How many threats do you get every day? Several other counties have just had cyber attacks recently that have taken down the whole county.
- A: Klug noted the county deals with a lot of sensitive data and provides critical services, so that’s why it’s so important to have good cybersecurity. Threats are pretty much non-stop and governments are a target.
- Purfeerst: Winona county has been hacked twice lately and they’re working with the national guard. Do you work with the national guard?
- A: Klug notes they would only work with the national guard if they’re called in. It’s only been in the last two years that the national guard will assist school districts, counties, etc. However, they will not help with anything preventative — they will only help with clean up. Rice county is part of a coalition of counties that will help each other, but they will not touch each other’s systems.
- A. Copier Replacement
- V. COMMUNITY SERVICES: Megan Thomas
- A. Lighthouse Transportation Contract: Providers are required per statute to have a contract with the county for rates billable to MA. The County serves as a pass-through as some agencies are not allowed to bill for assisted or unassisted transports.
- Q: Underdahl: WHat is the accounting time this will require?
- A: It will require some administrative time and we don’t get any reimbursement for it.
- Q: Peters: Do you check up on these for fraud?
- A: Unfortunately, it is not the county’s responsibility to audit and monitor medicaid billing. The county does operate as a passthrough for many programs. We’ve never historically had any issues with contracts with transportation with Lighthouse, and they’re a trusted provider in our area. The state has said they’re going to pull this back and take it over, but it sounds like they have cancelled the RFP, so we don’t know where it is headed.
- Approved.
- VI. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE: Brian Mortenson
- A. Proclamation for Nation Crime Victims’ Rights Week April 19-25
- Noted that state plans to cut funding for victim’s services, including Rice Co’s victim services staffer and 50% of the HOPE Center’s budget, over $60k for the year.
- Approved.
- VII. HIGHWAY: Dennis Luebbe
- A. Award Contract for Hot in-place asphalt recycling
- Some discussion of the benefits of this approach, including cost savings.
- B. Amendment to 2014 Snow and Ice Removal Policy
- Both approved.
- VIII. FINANCE: Peggy Schaak
- A. Resolution # 26-016 authorizing sponsorship of trails operated by the Faribo Sno-Go Club.
- B. Agricultural Lease Agreements
- Purfeerst: Glad to see this went to a two year lease. Event four or five would be good.
- Peters: I’m glad we can lease it out and don’t have to deal with a week issue.
- Both approved.
- IX. ADMINISTRATION: Sara Folsted
- A. Consent Agenda
- 1. Extra Time/ Over Time Report 03-20-2026
- 2. Payment of Bills
- 3. Personnel Appointments
- B. National County Government Month – 2026 Proclamation
- X. ADJOURNMENT
