Public Forum
- Public comment regarding receiving a ditch assessment of more than $13k. Cited strain on farm budgets, and Minnesota losing residents which commenter credits to high taxes and mismanagement of public funds. Noted that landowners pay via insurance when ditches fail due to flooding, and they pay for maintenance of ditches. Asked board to do due diligence into money that we’re putting into ditches.
- Public comment regarding the culverts on his property flooding, including fields and his house. Has reached out to county and gotten no response. The road is slated to be repaired, and he recommends the county address the culverts at the same time, by moving them to the other side of the road. Notes that we’re getting heavier rains in a short amount of time. Asked for help.
- County administrator said staff would be in touch.
- It’s a road ditch, not a county ditch.
AGENDA
- CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
- A. Roll Call
- B. Approval of Agenda
- C. Approval of Minutes – Regular Meeting – September 22nd, 2026.
- OUTSIDE AGENCY: Lisa Dierks-Extension Office
- A. Amendment 2 to the Agreement Between Regents of the University of Minnesota through Extension and Rice County. The changes outlined in the attachment reflect the 2027 approved county department budget with a change to continue with the additional 0.75 FTE Extension Educator for Youth Development/4-H. The total annual budget request for the contract services on the addendum is $277,155.
- Purfeerst and Peters move and second to approve .75 FTE position.
- Underdahl: There needs to be more discussion, as we are cutting budgets for other outside agencies. Other counties are looking at cutting extension programs.
- Malecha: Agree, we need to look at this next year, regarding cuts. If we’ve cut 10% on outside agencies, then we need to be fair to organizations, give advance notice.
- Peters: There’s going to be a lot going on. Steele did a lot of cuts, unannounced to Extension. We’ve gone through two people in the last two years, for this position. Now we have an extraordinary person. Next year, we need to sit down with the University and look at ways to cut this. Steele County cut extension positions, which are shared with us. Maybe we can get shred use with another county
- Purfeerst: Steel County is looking to reinstate that position. Next year, everything is on the watch list.
- Malecha: There must be good communication with the agencies well in advance of the cuts.
- Approved unanimously.
- A. Amendment 2 to the Agreement Between Regents of the University of Minnesota through Extension and Rice County. The changes outlined in the attachment reflect the 2027 approved county department budget with a change to continue with the additional 0.75 FTE Extension Educator for Youth Development/4-H. The total annual budget request for the contract services on the addendum is $277,155.
- ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES: Julie Runkel
- A. Conditional Use Permit/Archambault Rental LLC – Section 7, Cannon City Township
- B. Interim Use Permit/Timm’s Trucking Inc – Section 33, Walcott Township
- C. Interim Use Permit/Calvin – Section 4, Erin Township
- D. Waiver of Plat/Schneider – Section 5, Wheatland Township
- E. Waiver of Plat/McDonough – Section 18, Cannon City Township
- All approved unanimously.
- HIGHWAY: Dennis Luebbe
- A. Final Payment, Crane Creek Asphalt, County 19 rehabilitation
- B. Final Payment, Mathiowetz Construction, County 50 reconstruction
- C. Final Payment, Crane Creek Asphalt, CSAH 1 & CSAH 25 Mill & Overlay
- All approved unanimously.
- ADMINISTRATION: Sara Folsted
- A. Consent Agenda
- 1. Extra Time/ Over Time Report 09-04-2026
- 2. Payment of Bills
- 3. Personnel Appointments
- A. Consent Agenda
- ADJOURNMENT
