Rice County, MN

Board of Commissioners

Housing & Redevelopment Authority

The Rice County Housing and Redevelopment Authority will meet to review action items and program reports. The body is scheduled to consider payment standards for 2027 and a policy update regarding HOTMA.

• Ruth's House Request
• 2027 Payment Standards
• Policy update-HOTMA
• Quarterly Report

Committee of the Whole

Rice & Steele 911 Center Joint Powers Board

Board of Adjustment

Planning Commission

Rice County Board of Commissioners Open Forum

Board of Commissioners

Committee of the Whole

Board of Commissioners

Committee of the Whole

Rice & Steele 911 Center Joint Powers Board

Planning Commission

Board of Adjustment

Board of Commissioners

Rice County Board of Commissioners Open Forum

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Rice & Steele 911 Center Joint Powers Board

Planning Commission

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Board of Commissioners

Committee of the Whole

The Rice County Committee of the Whole will meet to discuss a parks-related item. The primary topic of discussion is a shared use trail study.

• Shared Use Trail Study: Cannon River Wilderness Area Connector

The Committee of the Whole received a presentation on the Shared Use Trail Study. Residents provided public comments both in favor of and against the trail project on County Road 20. No decision was made; the topic will be reviewed and discussed at the November 17th meeting.

• Tabled Shared Use Trail Study discussion until November 17th

Rice County Board of Commissioners Open Forum

This meeting is an open forum for the public to speak on topics relevant to the county's work. There are no specific legislative items or decisions listed on the agenda.

The Rice County Board of Commissioners met for an open forum session to hear public comments. No formal legislative actions or votes were recorded during this meeting.

• No substantive decisions or votes were recorded

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will consider several interim and conditional use permits for various townships. The meeting includes reviews of highway rehabilitation payments and a contract for the COMPASS program.

• Conditional Use Permit for Archambault Rental LLC in Cannon City Township
• Interim Use Permits for Timm's Trucking Inc (Walcott Township) and Calvin (Erin Township)
• Waivers of Plat for Schneider (Wheatland Township) and McDonough (Cannon City Township)
• Final payments to Crane Creek Asphalt and Mathiowetz Construction for County 19, County 50, CSAH 1, and CSAH 25
• Contract with Healthy Community Initiative for COMPASS program support

Rice & Steele 911 Center Joint Powers Board

The Rice & Steele 911 Center Joint Powers Board meets Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at 4:00 PM at Steele County, 630 Florence Ave, Owatonna. The board will review its financial report, hear an operations committee update, and receive staffing and building project updates. Under new business it will take up an IES support contract extension, a multifunction copy/print/scan/fax item, a relaxation chair for the quiet room, a personnel manual addition for assistant animals, and a Winona County agreement addendum. The agenda does not include dollar amounts or the text of the proposed agreements.

• IES Support Contract Extension (new business)
• Winona County Agreement Addendum (new business)
• Multifunction copy, print, scan and fax item
• Personnel Manual addition for assistant animals
• 911 Center Building Project update

Committee of the Whole

The Rice County Committee of the Whole meets at 8:30 AM on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, in the Commissioners Room at the Rice County Government Services Building. The agenda lists one substantive item: an outside agency and membership budget discussion. No votes, contracts, or dollar amounts are included in the agenda text. The meeting is also offered via Zoom and phone.

• Outside Agency and Membership Budget Discussion

The committee held a work session to discuss outside agency and membership budgets. Residents and city officials provided public comments regarding library and humane society funding. No substantive decisions were made during the meeting.

• Adjourned the meeting (5-0)

Board of Adjustment

The Rice County Board of Adjustment meets Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Commissioners Room at the Rice County Government Services Building. The board will take up one old-business variance for Halvorson Farms LLC in Morristown Township and eight new-business variance requests covering sheds, agricultural buildings, and shoreland lots in Warsaw, Wells, Erin, Webster, Forest, and Shieldsville townships. Each item follows a hearing procedure with staff reports, applicant presentations, public comment, and a board motion to recommend approval, denial, or continuance. No decisions are recorded in the agenda itself.

• Variance/Halvorson (Old Business): Halvorson Farms LLC seeks five setback variances for turkey barns on 23907 Harris Trail, Morristown, including a 330-ft reduction from the 1000-ft setback to a neighboring home.
• Variance/Reiter: Ted Reiter requests an 8-ft road right-of-way setback variance and a 6-ft height variance for a shed at 6465 Cannon Lake Trail, Faribault.
• Variance/Reichert: James Reichert seeks a 200-sqft size variance, a 10-ft rear setback variance, and a 1% impervious surface variance for a shed at 17997 Roberds Lake Blvd, Faribault.
• Variance/Heyda: Tony Heyda requests a 7800-sqft size variance and a 16-ft height variance for a 9000-sqft agricultural shed at 11308 Cody Lake Trail, Montgomery.
• Variance/James: Alan James seeks multiple variances for a second accessory shed at 9316 Irwin Trail, Montgomery, including a 5-ft bluff setback variance and a 5-ft height variance.

Planning Commission

The Rice County Planning Commission meets at 6:00 PM on Thursday, October 1, 2026, in the Commissioners Room at the Rice County Government Services Building, immediately following the Board of Adjustment meeting. The Commission will hear six new business items: one conditional use permit, three interim use permits, and two waivers of plat. The Commission will take public comment and then vote to recommend approval, denial, or continuation; items requiring County Board approval will be heard at the October 13, 2026, meeting.

• Conditional Use Permit for Archambault Rental LLC for a contractor's office and yard for a garbage disposal business at 1105 160th St E, Faribault (PID# 11.07.2.25.001, zoned URI)
• Interim Use Permit for Timm's Trucking Inc for temporary gravel crushing, screening, and sorting equipment in Section 33, Walcott Township (PID# 15.33.3.50.001, zoned A)
• Interim Use Permit for Steve Calvin for short-term rental use in an existing structure at 10970 Cody Lake Trail, Montgomery (PID# 05.04.2.50.001, zoned NES)
• Interim Use Permit for Laura Paukert for short-term rental use in an existing structure at 6491 Farwell Path, Faribault (PID# 10.18.4.25.003, zoned GDS)
• Waiver of Plat for Jesse Schneider to create a 4.99-acre building site via Transfer Development Right in Section 5, Wheatland Township (PID# 01.05.3.00.002, zoned A)

Board of Commissioners

The Rice County Board of Commissioners will consider a resolution setting the preliminary tax levy for 2027, along with routine items like approving minutes, a final payment to a contractor, and a consent agenda. The meeting also includes a proclamation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month and a road and bridge tour.

• Resolution #26-028 setting preliminary 2027 tax levy
• Final payment to Fitzgerald Excavating
• Road and Bridge tour
• Consent agenda: overtime report, bills, personnel appointments
• Proclamation for National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The Rice County Board of Commissioners approved the preliminary tax levy for 2027 and adopted a proclamation for National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The board also approved final contract payment for drainage improvements, county bills totaling $817,803.85, and several personnel appointments.

• Approved agenda as presented (5-0)
• Approved minutes from September 8, 2026 regular board meeting (5-0)
• Adopted proclamation for National Domestic Violence Awareness Month for October 2026 (5-0)
• Approved final payment of $1,384.05 to Fitzgerald Excavating & Trucking for contract #2680, CSAH 21 drainage improvements (5-0)
• Adopted Resolution #26-028 Setting the Preliminary Tax Levy for 2027 (5-0)
• Approved consent agenda including bills totaling $817,803.85, overtime report, and personnel appointments (5-0)
• Adjourned the meeting (5-0)

Committee of the Whole

The Committee of the Whole will discuss the preliminary budget and the Rice & Steele 911 Center budget. The meeting also includes discussions regarding solid waste permit renewal and a landfill expansion feasibility study.

• Rice & Steele 911 Center Budget Discussion
• Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Expansion Feasibility Study
• Solid Waste Permit Renewal
• Preliminary Budget Discussion

The Committee of the Whole reviewed a feasibility study for expanding the municipal solid waste landfill. Members also heard an overview of the 2027 911 budget and discussed proposed 10% budget cuts to outside agencies.

• Reviewed landfill expansion feasibility study report
• Received update on 2027 Solid Waste permit renewal process
• Received 2027 Rice & Steele 911 center budget overview

Rice County Board of Commissioners Open Forum

The Rice County Board of Commissioners is holding an open forum meeting where members of the public can speak on topics relevant to the county's work. The agenda consists entirely of procedural boilerplate regarding public comment rules, call to order, and adjournment. No specific contracts, ordinances, or votes are listed for decision.

• Public open forum allowing county residents to speak for three minutes on topics within the board's authority.

The Rice County Board of Commissioners met on September 8, 2026, and heard a resident's concerns about healthcare. No substantive decisions were made; the board only approved adjournment.

• Adjourned meeting (5-0)

Board of Commissioners

The Rice County Board of Commissioners will consider a new on- and off-sale liquor license, including Sunday sales, for Red Cabin LLC dba The Lodge on Lake Mazaska. The board will also act on several administrative items, including declaring a county vehicle surplus, renewing an Adobe license, approving a treatment court grant contract, and accepting a joint powers agreement for the dive team. Drainage assessments and highway agreements are also on the agenda.

• New on/off-sale and Sunday liquor license for The Lodge on Lake Mazaska, 7170 153rd St W, Faribault
• Declare 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan (VIN 2C4RDGBG2LR183880) as county surplus
• Adobe license renewal
• CAC contract with Community Corrections for Treatment Court Grant
• Joint Ditch #6 and County Ditch #25 assessments

The Rice County Board of Commissioners approved the 2027 preliminary appropriations for outside agencies with a 10% decrease, in a 3-2 vote. The board also approved several routine items, including a liquor license, a vehicle surplus declaration, a contract for treatment court housing, and a joint powers agreement for the dive team. All other motions were approved unanimously.

• Approved 2027 outside agency appropriations with 10% decrease (3-2)
• Approved liquor license for The Lodge on Lake Mazaska (5-0)
• Declared 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan as county surplus (5-0)
• Approved revised contract with Community Action Center for treatment court housing (5-0)
• Proclaimed September 2026 as Recovery Month (5-0)
• Approved Rice County Dive Team 2026 Joint Powers Agreement (5-0)
• Approved assessments for Joint Ditch #6 and County Ditch #25 (5-0)
• Approved $6,682.51 final payment to Minnowa Construction Inc. (5-0)

Board of Adjustment

The Board of Adjustment will meet to consider several variance applications regarding building setbacks, height limits, and land use. These requests involve residential and agricultural properties across Wells, Warsaw, Erin, Shieldsville, and Morristown townships.

• Variance for shed setbacks and height at 5755 185th St W, Faribault
• Variance for garage addition setbacks and impervious surface limits at 4200 172nd St W, Faribault
• Variance for accessory shed height near a protected stream at 21770 Fairbanks Ave, Faribault
• Variance for multiple accessory shed sizes and bluff setbacks at 9316 Irwin Trail, Montgomery
• Variance for detached garage setbacks and height at 20035 Cedar Lake Trail, Morristown

The Board approved several variance requests for accessory structures in Wells, Warsaw, Shieldsville, and Erin Townships. One request for a second large shed on a shoreland lot was denied, while variances for an existing oversized shed on the same property were approved.

• Approved shed variances for Daniel Ableman (3-0)
• Approved garage addition variances for Eric Sette (3-0)
• Approved shed height variance for Omar Escobar/McDonough Farms LLC (3-0)
• Denied 5 variance requests for a proposed new shed for Carolyn James (3-0)
• Approved 2 variances for an existing oversized shed for Carolyn James (3-0)
• Approved garage variances for Chad Desjardins (3-0)
• Approved after-the-fact deck and retaining wall variances for Brian Erickson/Dax Stoner (3-0)
• Tabled turkey building variance request for Kim Halvorson Kitzman until October 1, 2026 (3-0)

Planning Commission

Rice & Steele 911 Center Joint Powers Board

The Joint Powers Board will review financial reports and receive updates on the 911 Center building project. Members will also discuss 2027 final budget proposals and a revised Joint Powers Board Agreement.

• 2027 Final Budget Proposals
• 911 Center Building Project Update
• Revised Joint Powers Board Agreement
• Redundant Phone & Internet Connectivity discussion
• Financial Report review

The Rice & Steele 911 Center Joint Powers Board approved the 2027 final budget, which includes an 11.7% increase in total expenditures. The board also authorized redundant phone and internet connectivity and approved the initiation of labor contract negotiations.

• Approved 2027 final budget with 11.7% expenditure increase (5-0)
• Approved redundant phone and internet connectivity (5-0)
• Approved labor contract negotiations (5-0)
• Approved July 31, 2026 financials (5-0)
• Approved August 5, 2026 meeting minutes (5-0)
• Approved agenda with added labor negotiations item (5-0)

Committee of the Whole

The Committee of the Whole will review the annual report from Circle Lake Rice County regarding property tax and elections. The meeting also includes a general update on highway matters. A closed session is scheduled to discuss security information under state law.

• Circle Lake Rice County annual report to the County Board
• Highway updates presented by Dennis Luebbe
• Closed session to discuss security information

The Rice County Committee of the Whole met on September 1, 2026, and approved a motion to enter a closed session under MN Statute 13.37 Subd. 2 to discuss nonpublic security information. The board then approved a motion to exit the closed session and adjourned. No other substantive decisions were made; items on the agenda were presented as updates only.

• Approved motion to enter closed session for security information discussion (5-0)
• Approved motion to exit closed session (5-0)
• Approved motion to adjourn meeting (5-0)

Housing & Redevelopment Authority

The Rice County Housing and Redevelopment Authority will hold a regular meeting on August 25, 2026, immediately following the Board of Commissioners meeting. The agenda consists primarily of procedural items, including the approval of the July 28, 2026, minutes. The only substantive item is a program report providing an update on the HRA budget. No specific dollar amounts, contracts, or ordinances are listed in the agenda text.

• Approval of minutes from the July 28, 2026, meeting
• HRA budget update report

Board of Commissioners

The Rice County Board of Commissioners will hold a regular meeting with several land-use decisions, including conditional and interim use permits in Walcott Township and final plats in Wells and Wheatland Townships. They will also consider accepting a Child Support NextGen grant and receive updates on community services funding and budget. The meeting includes routine consent agenda items such as overtime reports, bill payments, and personnel appointments.

• Conditional use permit for The Towers LLC, Section 32, Walcott Township
• Interim use permit for Gedicke, Section 28, Walcott Township
• Final plat for Johnson, Section 8, Wells Township
• Final plat for Franek, Section 15, Wheatland Township
• Child Support NextGen grant acceptance

The Rice County Board of Commissioners approved a $79,440 quote for an I-BAND radio booster installation, several conditional use, interim use, and final plat permits, acceptance of a NextGen grant, and the consent agenda including bills totaling $840,333.79 and a personnel appointment. All votes were unanimous (5-0).

• Approved $79,440 I-BAND radio booster installation (5-0)
• Approved Conditional Use Permit for The Towers LLC in Walcott Township (5-0)
• Approved Interim Use Permit for Robert Gedicke in Walcott Township (5-0)
• Approved Final Plat for Paula Johnson in Wells Township (5-0)
• Approved Final Plat for Joe Franek in Wheatland Township (5-0)
• Accepted NextGen grant for Child Support Unit (5-0)
• Approved consent agenda including $840,333.79 in bills and personnel appointment (5-0)

Committee of the Whole

The Rice County Committee of the Whole is meeting to hear funding requests from eight outside agencies, including EMS, libraries, a senior center, the agriculture society, tourism, and Fifty North. No decisions are listed on the agenda; the committee is only hearing the requests at this meeting.

• Southeastern MN EMS funding request
• Northfield Public Library funding request
• Buckham Memorial Library funding request
• Buckham West Senior Center funding request
• Rice County Agriculture Society funding request

The Committee of the Whole heard presentations and funding requests from eight outside agencies, including Southeastern MN EMS, Northfield Public Library, Buckham Memorial Library, Buckham West Senior Center, Lonsdale Public Library, Rice County Agriculture Society, Southern Minnesota Tourism, and Fifty North. No decisions were made on funding; the meeting was adjourned after the presentations.

• Adjourned meeting (5-0)

Rice County Board of Commissioners Open Forum

This is a procedural open-forum meeting of the Rice County Board of Commissioners. No votes, public hearings, or staff reports are listed on the agenda. The only scheduled item is an opportunity for residents to speak on any topic within the county's authority, with a three-minute limit per speaker.

• Public open forum for topics not on the agenda
• Three-minute speaking limit per person
• Speakers must complete an open forum card with name, topic, and residency status
• Online participants must provide information verbally
• No other business items listed

The Rice County Board of Commissioners met on August 11, 2026, and heard public comments from residents, primarily about the election system. No substantive decisions were made; the meeting was adjourned after the comments.

Board of Commissioners

The Rice County Board of Commissioners will consider awarding contracts for culvert replacements on County 16 and bituminous paving at the Lonsdale Shop, along with final payments for three prior construction projects. The board will also vote on a 2027 state grant for veterans services, accept donations for child and family services, and approve routine consent agenda items including bills and personnel appointments.

• Award of contract #2678 for culvert replacements on County 16
• Award of contract for bituminous paving at Lonsdale Shop
• Final payments to Minnowa Construction (contracts #2672 and #2671) and Crane Creek Asphalt (contract #2574)
• 2027 Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Grant for Veteran's Services
• Acceptance of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Initiative grant

The Rice County Board of Commissioners approved multiple highway infrastructure contracts, including a $691,519.60 award to Minnowa Construction Inc. The Board also accepted several grants for veteran and child services, approved foster care transportation agreements, and authorized personnel appointments for various county departments.

• Awarded $691,519.60 highway contract #2678 to Minnowa Construction Inc. (5-0)
• Approved $31,505.00 paving quote from M & W Blacktopping, LLC (5-0)
• Approved MDVA grant for Veteran's Services (5-0)
• Accepted Child and Adolescent Mental Health Initiative grant (5-0)
• Approved foster care transportation agreement renewals (5-0)
• Approved final payments on three highway construction contracts (5-0)
• Accepted donations to Child and Family Services Division (5-0)
• Approved payment of county bills totaling $680,295.58 (5-0)

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will consider two permit applications for properties in Walcott Township. The body will review requests for a communication tower and an aggregate mining operation.

• Conditional Use Permit for a communication tower by The Towers LLC (Section 32, Walcott Township)
• Interim Use Permit for aggregate mining excavation to create a pond by Robert Gedicke (Section 28, Walcott Township)

The Planning Commission recommended approval for a communication tower in Walcott Township and an interim use permit for a sand and gravel excavation to create a pond. Both recommendations included specific conditions for approval.

• Recommended approval of Conditional Use Permit for The Towers LLC 199-ft monopole tower (4-0)
• Recommended approval of Interim Use Permit for Robert Gedicke aggregate mining operation (4-0)
• Approved July 2, 2026 meeting minutes (4-0)

Board of Adjustment

The Board of Adjustment will consider 12 separate variance requests regarding property setbacks, building heights, and lot sizes. These requests affect residential and agricultural properties across several townships, including Wells, Morristown, Northfield, Shieldsville, Erin, and Cannon City.

• Variance for accessory dwelling unit and impervious surface at 17330 Roberds Lake Ct
• Variance for garage addition height and setbacks at 4200 172nd St W
• Variance for home addition lake setback at 17430 Roberds Lake Ct
• Variance for replacement cabin lake setback at 16434 Elmore Tr
• Variance for 50-ft lot width at 10004 103rd St W

The Board approved several variance requests for home additions, garages, and agricultural buildings. One request for an accessory dwelling unit was denied, and two other variance requests were tabled until September.

• Denied variance for accessory dwelling unit at 17330 Roberds Lake Ct (4-0)
• Approved garage addition variance for Jan and Steve Ostercamp (4-0)
• Approved garage addition variance for Neil Jensen (4-0)
• Approved replacement cabin variance for Timothy Trom (4-0)
• Approved agricultural building addition variance for Kevin Wesley (4-0)
• Approved replacement shed variance for Cathleen Juul-Adams (4-0)
• Approved agricultural shop addition variance for Wayne Saemrow (4-0)
• Approved parcel split variance for James and Connie Cihak (3-0)

Rice & Steele 911 Center Joint Powers Board

The Rice & Steele 911 Center Joint Powers Board will meet to review the 2027 preliminary budget, discuss staffing and a building project update, and consider hiring a law firm for upcoming labor negotiations. The board will also receive the Baker Tilly 2025 financial audit report and take action on items from a closed session.

• Review of 2027 preliminary budget
• 911 Center building project update
• Hire law firm for labor negotiations
• Baker Tilly 2025 financial audit report
• Closed session on union labor contract

The Rice & Steele 911 Center Joint Powers Board approved several administrative items, including hiring Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney for labor negotiations and accepting the 2025 Baker Tilly financial audit. The board also approved a memorandum of agreement for stipend dispatch services for Winona County and held a closed session on union labor contract. All votes were unanimous (5-0).

• Approved agenda (5-0)
• Approved 7/1/26 minutes (5-0)
• Approved June 30, 2026 financial report (5-0)
• Approved Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney representation for labor negotiations (5-0)
• Approved 2025 Baker Tilly financial audit report (5-0)
• Approved closed session for union labor contract (5-0)
• Approved MOA with stipend for dispatch services for Winona County (5-0)

Committee of the Whole

The Committee of the Whole will discuss funding requests from several outside agencies. No specific dollar amounts were listed in the agenda.

• Prairie's Edge Humane Society funding request
• HOPE Center funding request
• Rice Soil & Water Conservation District funding request
• Rice County Historical Society funding request
• Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation and SEMCAC funding requests

The committee received funding request overviews for 2027 from six outside agencies. No formal votes were taken on the funding requests during this session.

• Approved motion to adjourn (4-0)

Board of Commissioners

The Rice County Board of Commissioners will review the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for 2025, award a bid for the Courthouse Chimney Demo & Venting Project, and accept a Department of Public Safety Crisis Response Grant.

• Courthouse Chimney Demo & Venting Project bid award
• Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for 2025
• Acceptance of Department of Public Safety Crisis Response Grant
• Park Fee distribution request from Webster Township
• Personnel Appointments and Payment of Bills

The Rice County Board of Commissioners approved a $95,524 contract with Mechanical Systems, Inc. for the Courthouse Chimney demo and venting project. They also approved a $2,499/month ArmorPoint SIEM quote, accepted a Department of Public Safety Crisis Response grant, and approved a $14,179.06 distribution from the County Park Fund to Webster Township. The consent agenda, including bills totaling $1,586,243.21 and a personnel appointment, was approved unanimously.

• Approved $95,524 contract to Mechanical Systems, Inc. for Courthouse Chimney demo and venting (5-0)
• Approved ArmorPoint SIEM quote from CIT at $2,499/month (5-0)
• Accepted Department of Public Safety Crisis Response grant (5-0)
• Approved Webster Township request to distribute $14,179.06 from County Park Fund (5-0)
• Approved consent agenda including bills totaling $1,586,243.21 and personnel appointment (5-0)

Joint Ditch Special Meeting

The Joint Drainage Authority of Steele and Rice Counties will hold a special meeting to address two matters for Joint Ditch 19: findings of obstruction and possible action to require removal, and consideration of repair options for a failing weir structure. The board may dismiss or direct removal of an obstruction, and may accept a sheet pile weir or rock chute repair option, or continue the hearing.

• Findings of obstruction presented; landowner can show why not responsible
• Possible actions: dismiss obstruction or order removal by set date
• Preliminary design options for failing weir: sheet pile weir, rock chute, or neither
• Public comment period for both items
• Meeting continues if neither repair option accepted

The board unanimously approved the sheet pile weir replacement (Option 1) with construction planned for fall/winter 2026. It also confirmed a ditch obstruction and ordered the landowner to fix and reseed the area by November 1, 2026.

• Confirmed ditch is obstructed and ordered landowner to fix and reseed by November 1, 2026 (Unanimous)
• Approved Option 1 sheet pile weir replacement as recommended by ISG (Unanimous)

Housing & Redevelopment Authority

The Housing and Redevelopment Authority will meet to approve minutes from May 26, 2026. The body will also discuss a policy update and review a quarterly report.

• Approval of 5-26-26 minutes
• Policy update
• Quarterly report

The Rice County Housing & Redevelopment Authority approved the minutes from their May 26, 2026, meeting. The board also voted to approve a policy update during the July 28, 2026, session.

• Approved May 26, 2026, meeting minutes (5-0)
• Approved policy update (5-0)
• Adjourned meeting (5-0)

Committee of the Whole

Rice County Board of Commissioners Open Forum

This meeting is an open forum where members of the public may speak on topics not on the agenda but relevant to the county's work. No decisions or votes are scheduled; the board only convenes for public comment and then adjourns.

• Public comment cards required; 3 minutes per speaker
• Online and phone participation available via Zoom (ID: 342 117 0614, passcode 1234)
• Special needs accommodation available by calling 507.332.6100

The Rice County Board of Commissioners held an Open Forum on July 14, 2026. No public comment was recorded during the session.

Board of Commissioners

The Rice County Board of Commissioners will vote on several land-use items, including multiple plats and a zoning map amendment. They will also consider adopting a new Parks Ordinance, awarding a highway lighting contract, and approving a new HR/payroll system. Additional actions include a tax-exempt gambling permit, corrections agreements, and a proclamation.

• Resolution #26-025: adopting amendment to zoning map in Section 19, Morristown Township
• Resolution #26-024: adopting Rice County Parks Ordinance #930
• Award contract #2676 for Overhead Lighting improvements
• Request to move forward with Paycom HR/payroll system
• Final Plat/Jandro in Section 12, Richland Township

The Board approved a high-value electrical contract and adopted a new parks ordinance. Multiple zoning changes, plats, and land-use permits were approved across several townships. The Board also authorized a new payroll system and various social service agreements.

• Awarded contract #2676 to Cole's Electric, Inc. for $836,126.99 (5-0)
• Adopted Resolution #26-024 updating Rice County Parks Ordinance #930 (5-0)
• Approved Resolution #26-025 rezoning 22 acres in Morristown Township (5-0)
• Approved updating the payroll system with Paycom (5-0)
• Approved $2,644,388.85 in bill payments via consent agenda (5-0)
• Approved MOU with Fernbrook for youth mental health case management (5-0)
• Approved $715.00 donation to the Sheriff's Office from Randy and Janet Bauer (5-0)
• Approved FY 27 Treatment Court and Mental Health Court cooperative agreements (5-0)