Votes at a glance: Rice County board adopts routine resolutions, renews medical examiner contract

The Rice County Board of Commissioners conducted its annual organizational actions and approved several routine resolutions at the Jan. 6 meeting.

Leadership and administrative items: Commissioners elected Charlie Peters as chair for 2026 and approved Jim Perfers as vice chair. The board confirmed committee appointments (with a change to convert a jail task force to a standing jail committee) and kept its 2026 meeting schedule (committees of the whole on the first and third Tuesdays, board meetings the second and fourth Tuesdays; public comment meeting the second Tuesday at 8 a.m.). These organizational items were adopted by voice votes.

Election administration: Denise, the county election official, presented Resolution 26‑004 to establish the absentee ballot board, mail ballot board and other ballot boards for the 2026 cycle. She said the county will first use party lists (to be released by May 15) and will supplement with election judges and deputy staff if necessary. The board adopted Resolution 26‑004 by voice vote.

Medical examiner services: The county attorney’s office requested renewal of a contract with the Anoka County Medical Examiner’s Office. The proposed rate is $2.71 per capita, which the attorney estimated would amount to approximately $185,600 for the county annually. The attorney noted satisfaction with Anoka County’s responsiveness and raised a separate concern about certain toxicology lab procedures used by an external Pennsylvania laboratory; the office said it is working with Anoka County to identify a better toxicology lab because of procedural concerns that have led to appellate inquiries in Minnesota. Commissioners approved renewal of the Anoka County medical examiner services contract for two years by voice vote.

Finance and publications: Finance staff (Peggy) asked the board to adopt Resolution 26‑003, delegating authority to the chief financial officer to designate depositories and authorize staff to conduct banking transactions; the board adopted the resolution. Administration recommended the Faribault Daily News as the county’s official legal newspaper (bid of $11.49 per standard advertising unit; the clerk said she would verify a discrepancy on the bid form and confirm next week). The board also designated the Rice County website as an official publication for transportation project notices for 2026.

Consent items and adjournment: The board approved the consent agenda (overtime report and payment of bills) and adjourned the meeting.