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Pipestone County Commissioner Meeting
December 2, 2025
The Pipestone County Commissioners met with Chairman Chris Hollingsworth, Commissioners, Luke Johnson, Doug Nagel, Dan Wildermuth, and Dallas Roskamp and County Administrator Steve Ewing. Chairman Hollingsworth called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
AGENDA
Motion by Wildermuth, seconded by Nagel to approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Roskamp, seconded by Nagel to approve the consent agenda as follows:
1. Approve Commissioners Minutes 11/25/25
2. Approve Auditors Warrants: 10/26/25, 12/1/25
3. Approve Commissioners Warrants: $102,012.18
4. Approve Hospital Warrants $550,288.86
5. Approve Hospital Off-Line Warrants $0
Motion carried unanimously.
As per Minnesota Statute 375.12 the following Commissioner Warrants information is presented:
MURRAY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE (vendor name at payment), 29,551.48 (total amount)
Pipestone County Highway Department, 15,049.40
Pipestone County Sheriff’s Office, 14,468.97
Lincoln County Sheriff, 11,500.00
Nobles County Auditor Treasurer, 6,750.00
Double D Gravel, Inc, 4,000.00
Rock County Sheriff’s Office, 3,580.34
EMS MANAGEMENT & CONSULTANTS, INC, 3,159.32
Forum Communications Printing, 2,892.38
Outpost24 Inc., 2,469.36
WARRANTS OVER $2,000, 93,421.25
NUMBER OF CLAIMS UNDER $2,000, 22.00
WARRANTS UNDER $2,000, 8,590.93
TOTAL, 102,012.18
PROJECT UPDATES, PROJECTS UNDER CONTRACT, PROJECTS IN THE PLANNING STAGE
County Engineer Nick Bergman provided information on project updates, projects under contract and projects in the planning stage.
The 2025 gravel crushing contract (CP2025-100) has been completed.
The 2025 Box Culverts Contract #4 and #5 work will be done in 2026.
Engineer Bergman requested approval for Right of Way Payments and request to pay as Auditors Warrants.
SAP 059-599-141 (project) Raymond R. Reinholdt Irrevocable Trust (land owner), $280.00 (payment)
SAP 059-599-141, Jean C. Reinholdt Revocable Living Trust, $280.00
SAP 059-599-141, Kyle and Maggie Minett, $1230.00
SAP 059-599-152, Kyle and Maggie Minett, $760.00
Motion by Nagel, seconded by Wildermuth, to approve the Right of Way payments, and authorize payment by Auditors Warrant. Motion carried unanimously.
Engineer Bergman gave a maintenance update. Crews have replaced two culverts, performed back sloping projects and installed snow equipment on trucks and graders for the winter season.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PURCHASE
Information Technology Director Bill Folger made a request to renew the County contract with Darktrace. Director Folger recommends the board approve the five-year agreement for Kudelski Security, Central Intercept X Advanced with XDR /Sophos Anti-Virus tool. Total Cost is $32,343.80 for the five-year agreement effective January 1, 2026. This was a budgeted expense for 2026. Motion by Wildermuth, seconded by Roskamp to approve the Sophos Anti-Virus contract. Motion carried unanimously.
2026 COUNTY FEE SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Nagel to open the 2026 County Fee Schedule Public Hearing at 9:30 a.m. Motion carried unanimously. Administrator Steve Ewing, Auditor/Treasurer Amanda Sandy, Recorder Emaleigh Rippentrop and Assessor Jean Nelson presented the 2026 changes to the fee schedule.
Auditor Treasurer:
Delinquent Tax Publication Fee from $30.00 to $50.00
Duplicate Tax Statement: free on-line, $2.00 in person, $3.00 mail or email
Confession of Judgment: $95.00 to 100.00
Tax Forfeiture Notice of Expiration: $100.00
Repurchase Tax Forfeited Property: from $95.00 to $150.00
Tax Forfeiture Administration: $300.00
Split/Combine Parcel: $30.00
Tax Estimates: $30.00
Sheriff:
Mortgage Foreclosure Sale (all): from $125.00 to $175.00
Data Request DVD: from .25 per page to $25.00 flat fee
Sheriff’s Sale: from $125.00 to $175.00
Vehicle Storage: from $25.00 per day to $50.00 per day
Recorder:
Certified Copies of Birth Certificates: Additional copies issued at same time for same birth certificate $19.00 each.
Vital Records Search: $20.00 per hour
Vital Record Verification $9.00
Fairgrounds:
Water: from $60.00 to $75.00 water meter fee, plus $50.00 per day for water.
Administrator Steve Ewing stated that the 2025 County Cannabis Fee Schedule will be added to the County Fee Schedule list.
Motion by Roskamp, seconded by Wildermuth to close the Public Hearing at 9:50 a.m.
Motion by Roskamp, seconded by Nagel to approve the 2026 fee schedule changes as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
The fee schedule can be viewed at www.pipestone-county.com
COUNTY ATTORNEY ANNUAL SALARY MEETING AND BUDGET MEETING
County Attorney Damain Sandy appeared at the annual meeting to discuss the 2026 salary for the County Attorney. County Attorney Sandy updated the board on activities of the County Attorney’s Office. County Attorney staff are Erin Jamison and Adam Maloney. A 3% increase to the County Attorney was budgeted for 2026, which would increase his salary to $104,092. County Attorney Sandy has been with Pipestone County for 27 years, beginning in 1998. Action will be taken when the board approves the 2026 final budget and levy at the December 23, 2025, Commissioners meeting.
COUNTY SHERIFF ANNUAL SALARY MEETING
County Sheriff Keith Vreeman appeared at the annual meeting to discuss the 2026 salary for the County Sheriff. Sheriff Vreeman updated the board on activities in the Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Vreeman has served as County Sheriff since 2015. A 3% increase to the Sheriff’s salary was budgeted for 2026 with an annual salary of $131,921. Action will be taken when the board approves the 2026 final budget and levy at the December 23, 2025, Commissioners meeting.
2026 BUDGET AND LEVY DISCUSSION
Commissioners and Administrator Steve Ewing discussed the 2026 budget and levy for possible changes to reduce the proposed levy and budget prior to the Truth in Taxation meeting scheduled for tonight December 2, 2025. The current proposed levy is $11,035,846 an increase of $1,223,142, a 12.46% increase from 2025. The board discussed using $400,000 in reserve funds, reducing the General Non-Departmental account by $300,000 and $109,070 from the Road and Bridge Fund to reduce the proposed tax levy. No action was taken; this will be discussed further at the Truth in Taxation Meeting scheduled for December 2, at 7:00 p.m. Action will be taken at the Commissioners meeting on December 23, 2025.
COMMITTEE REPORTS NOVEMBER 2025
Commissioner Roskamp: No report.
Commissioner Wildermuth: ACE, PCMC Plant Ops, Veterans Memorial, SMOC, SWHHS, RMEB.
Commissioner Nagel: Prime West Health, PCMC, Courthouse Union Negotiations, Road and Bridge, PCMC Board, Prime West.
Commissioner Johnson: AMC Futures, Highway Union Negotiations, Prime Health, Solid Waste, Road & Bridge, PCMC Board
Commissioner Hollingsworth: Sharing Hands Nurse Partnership, CPT Personnel, CPT Executive Board, CPT Full Board, Regular Board Meeting, PCMC Board.
Motion by Roskamp seconded by Nagel to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
Meeting was adjourned at 10:27 a.m.
Chris Hollingsworth
Pipestone County Board Chairman
ATTEST:
Steven Ewing
County Administrator