![Rice County Declares State of Emergency](https://townsquare.media/site/685/files/2020/01/Dave-Miller-Rice-County-Board-of-Commissioners-2020-Chair.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Rice County Declares State of Emergency
The Rice County Board of Commissioners today declared a State of Emergency related to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. County Administrator Sara Folsted told commissioners they were covered under the Governor's declaration saying, "This is kind of for administrative purposes."
The public could listen to the meeting by phone or computer. I chose computer and other than the fact that not everyone's microphone sounded like it was turned on there were no problems.
Roll call votes were required due to the remote public access on all orders of business. That was really the only change.
Social Services Director Mark Shaw requested approval of a respite grant with the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Shaw pointed out 5 years ago the 10 counties involved in the grant received approximately 19 thousand dollars a month and this grant was for approximately 6 thousand dollars a month.
Commissioners unanimously approved an off-site gambling permit for Elko Baseball Club, Incorporated for April 23rd at the Ranchero Supper Club in Webster.
A resolution was also unanimously approved authorizing the county to provide sponsorship of trails operated by the Faribo Sno-Glo Club for the 2020-2021 winter season.
Commissioners will be holding a joint meeting with the Faribault City Council at 6:00 p.m. this evening for a public hearing regarding a proposed tax abatement and business subsidies for Trystar of Faribault.
The meeting will be conducted virtually this evening with Faribault City Council members all participating remotely.
![KQCL Power 96 logo](https://townsquare.media/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/KQCLFM.png?w=100)
More From KQCL Power 96
![What is an ‘Essential Business’ in Minnesota During COVID-19?](http://townsquare.media/site/719/files/2020/03/Work.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Minnesota Brothers Make a Delicious Pitch on “Shark Tank”](http://townsquare.media/site/715/files/2020/03/YouTube.png?w=980&q=75)
![Minnesota to Offer Financial Relief to Small Business Owners and Non-Profits](http://townsquare.media/site/717/files/2020/03/RS36494_GettyImages-941729686-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Metallica to Stream Full Live Shows Each Monday, Watch the First One](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2020/03/metallica-james-hetfield-live-june-2019-england.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Cool Idea: Cooler Manufacturer To Donate Profits To Response Fund](http://townsquare.media/site/684/files/2020/03/GettyImages-1130298104.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Survey: Minnesota Drivers Are Least-Aggressive in the Country](http://townsquare.media/site/719/files/2020/03/CarDriver-Dash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![2020 Census in Pandemic Times Still a Must](http://townsquare.media/site/685/files/2020/03/RS22672_GettyImages-901942006.jpeg?w=980&q=75)
![The Best Meteor Shower of the Year is Visible From Minnesota in April](http://townsquare.media/site/684/files/2018/07/RS12301_477920536.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Still a Sports-Filled Weekend](http://townsquare.media/site/687/files/2020/03/gophers-win-over-Penn-State.jpg?w=980&q=75)