Rock County commissioners approve routine business, hire weed superintendent and OK $5,150 barn repair

The Rock County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 3 unanimously approved a set of routine administrative measures and personnel actions during a meeting in Bassett. The board approved minutes, fee reports and claims; approved a nursing home licensure; hired a new Weed Superintendent at a set hourly rate; adopted a road wage and equipment rental schedule; and authorized payment to repair ambulance barn damage.

The meeting, called to order by Chairman Wade Hollenbeck, included all three commissioners — Hollenbeck, Commissioner Faye Smith and Commissioner Colby Sybrant — and County Clerk Daunitta Buoy. The board noted the meeting had been advertised in the Rock County Leader and that the Open Meeting Law is posted in the commissioners' room.

Highlights of the board’s actions included approval of the nursing home licensure following a presentation by Stacey Knox, Hospital Administrator. Commissioner Colby Sybrant moved to approve the licensure and Commissioner Faye Smith seconded; the motion passed unanimously (3-0).

The board approved fee reports for the County Clerk, Clerk of the District Court and the Sheriff for January after presentation to the commissioners. Commissioner Sybrant moved to approve the fee reports and Commissioner Smith seconded; the motion carried unanimously.

Highway Superintendent Elizabeth Yost updated commissioners on road mowing and said she will prepare a road mowing policy. The board discussed the County Road Department’s 2026 Road Wage & Equipment Rental Scale and approved it as presented (motion by Sybrant; seconded by Smith), voting unanimously.

Kris Beard, City Clerk, and Reno Gordon, a city council member, reported damage to the Ambulance Barn; Ally Grant, a representative from NIRMA, was also present. The board accepted a JP Construction quote of $5,150.00 for repairs and approved paying that amount, with a recommendation to erect protective poles on both sides of the bay door. The motion to pay JP Construction was made by Chairman Wade Hollenbeck and seconded by Commissioner Smith and passed unanimously.

Scott Erthum accepted the Weed Superintendent / Road6 position and participated by telephone. The board approved hiring him at $22.00 per hour for a 40-hour work week (motion by Smith, seconded by Sybrant), unanimous (3-0).

Commissioner Smith moved to amend Resolution 2025-17 to set commissioners’ salaries at $24,000 for calendar years 2027–2028 and $24,500 for 2029–2030; Chairman Hollenbeck seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The commissioners conducted the required quarterly jail review (no action recorded) and audited a list of departmental claims across multiple funds, including a listed Ambulance Replacement line item for $228,552.00 with MIPS. Commissioner Sybrant moved and Commissioner Smith seconded approval of the Feb. 3 claims as presented; the vote was unanimous.

Votes at a glance — key motions and outcomes included approval of the Jan. 20 minutes (Sybrant motion; Smith second), approval of an agenda amendment changing 'Hospital Licensure' to 'Nursing Home Licensure,' approval of the Nursing Home Licensure (Sybrant motion; Smith second), approval of fee reports for January, adoption of the 2026 Road Wage & Equipment Rental Scale, authorization to pay JP Construction $5,150.00 for ambulance barn repairs (Hollenbeck motion; Smith second), hiring Scott Erthum at $22/hour (Smith motion; Sybrant second) and amendment of Resolution 2025-17 setting future commissioners’ salaries. All recorded motions passed unanimously (3-0) according to the meeting minutes.

The meeting adjourned at 4:42 p.m.