Category: Rice County Commission

Present: Malacha, Hoisington, Purfeerst, Peters, Underdahl  Pledge of Allegiance  Outside Agency: Minnesota DNR Land Acquisition in Northfield Township  Discussion. Spokesperson from DNR, Proposed acquisition of 35 acres in Northfield Township, in bedrock bluff /prairie in NE Rice County. For preservation of land/conservation of  natural heritage and flora across MN.  Site is a dry bedrock prairie, currently owned by Diane Angel, managing land … Continue reading Observer Report: Rice County Commissioners, 3.17.26 →

Present: Underdahl, Purfeerst, Peters, Malecha Absent: Hoisington AGENDA I. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE A. Roll Call  B. Approval of Agenda  C. Approval of Minutes - Regular Meeting - February 17, 2026  II. PROPERTY TAX & ELECTIONS: Denise Anderson Approved all of the following unanimously: A. Temporary 3.2% Malt Liquor License for Church … Continue reading Observer Report: Rice County Commissioners Meeting, 3.10.26 →

Open Forum The room was packed, standing room only. Members of the public gave comment, largely focused on ICE's presence in Rice County. Against ICE - 8 residents gave comment Worried about housing, businesses (restaurants), how this impacts community support for law enforcement, education, want county jail to stop honoring administrative warrants because of risk to … Continue reading Observer REport: Rice County Commissioners, 2.10.26 →

Present: Peters, Malecha, Perfeerst, Underdahl, Hoisington  Community Corrections: Angela Brewer. Mental Health Court planning committee present today – to create structure for mental health treatment court. Multiple entities including law enforcement, social services, behavioral health, worked on this proposal. Reviewed background and different types of courts, both local and statewide, crisis vrs case management, cost, and what a mental health treatment court would look like in Rice … Continue reading Observer Report: Rice County Commissioners, 1.20.26 →

Rice County Highway Department Public Meeting                 January 13, 2026  Regarding the Ten-Year Plan  Dennis Lubbe: Fifty-four projects are identified, 115 million, about a million dollars in Federal Aid. Fifty-five million dollars revenue, forty-four dedicated from sales tax, state bridge funds and partnership monies with MNDOT, about 11 million dollars.  Multiple handouts and spreadsheets are available … Continue reading Observer REport: Rice County HighWay Dpt Public Mtg re: 10 Year Plan, 1.13.26 →