March 19, 2013
The Miner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session March 19, 2013, in the Miner County Courthouse. Members present: Don Bowman, Pat Maroney, Roger Wentland, Voni Durant and Heath Thompson. Absent: none. Chairman Thompson called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Motion by Durant, seconded by Bowman and carried to approve the agenda as amended.
States Attorney Greg Protsch was present to review legal issues. Also joining the meeting was Jay Gilbertson of East Dakota Water Development District. Protsch gave an overview of the proceedings of the SD Water Management Board hearing held on March 6, 2013. The purpose of the hearing was to hear testimony and to set the outlet elevation for Lake Thompson. Miner County did not oppose the setting of the elevation at the Chief Engineer of the Water Right Program recommendation to establish an elevation of 1,687.5. At the hearing Attorney Greg Gass representing Kingsbury County made a request to set the elevation at 1686.3. A graph showing the outlet channel shows the lowest point of the 250’ channel at 1686.3 with an approximate width of 10 ft. The graph also indicates the engineer’s outlet elevation of 1687.5 with an approximate width of about 60 feet. After deliberation the elevation was set by the Water Management Board at an outlet elevation of 1686.3. Protsch informed the board of commissioners that through conversation with Chris Giles, Lake County States Attorney, Lake County and those counties located downstream were not notified of the March 6th meeting. At its meeting being held today, the Lake County Commission will consider whether to file a petition to reconsider the decision made at the March 6th meeting of the Water Management Board due to lack of notice to Lake County and/or other counties located downstream. Miner County Commission will revisit their position on the matter at their regular scheduled April 9th meeting.
Welfare Director reviewed correspondence from Robert Nelson legal counsel for Avera proposing a settlement of poor relief cases 06-03 & 07-01. Page indicated that the Medicaid rate provided by Nelson differs in her information related to those cases. It was moved by Wentland, seconded by Durant and carried to agree in principal to settle the cases pending confirmation of the Medicaid rate.
Director of Equalization Tami Severson presented requests for assessment information from Sage Information Services and LPS Real Estate Data Solutions Inc. Commissioners instructed her to transmit the requested data and charge an assembly fee of $25.00.
The Miner County Rural Fire Protection District #1 has informed the commission of an open position on their board. Further information will be sought before an appointment to the board will be made by the Miner County Board of Commissioners.
Highway Superintendent Krempges reported on highway issues including crack sealing and equipment repairs.
It was moved by Maroney, seconded by Durant and carried to authorize the auditor to make and operating transfer as provided for in the 2013 budget from the general fund to the road and bridge fund in the amount of $250,000.
Treasurer Debbie Eggert requested the commission consider and approve the following resolution to accept credit cards as a form of payment within county offices. It was moved by Wentland and seconded by Bowman to adopt the following resolution.
RESOLUTION 13-9
WHEREAS, in the course of doing the county’s business, the county charges and collects several types of licenses, taxes, liens, and miscellaneous fees and charges; and
WHEREAS, the constituents of Miner County and other individuals and businesses outside the county doing business with Miner County desire, on occasion, to utilize credit, debit or electronic transactions to pay for such licenses, taxes, liens, and miscellaneous fees; and
WHEREAS, there are usually costs associated with using debit, credit or electronic transactions; and
WHEREAS, the county feels it is in its best interest to collect a fee sufficient to cover any processing fees associated with the transaction or to utilize a company that will collect the fee themselves and charge the constituent for the use of that type of payment;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners representing Miner County, South Dakota, hereby states that county offices may, but are not required to accept credit, debit or electronic transactions for payment of the services they provide, and that they will be allowed to charge a fee or contract with a company that will charge the fee to the persons or businesses utilizing this type of payment form, which fee can be no more than what is sufficient to cover processing fees associated with that transaction as it pertains to SDCL 4-3-28.
Voting aye: Wentland, Bowman, Maroney, Durant and Thompson. Voting nay: none. Resolution adopted this 19th day of March 2013.
Heath A. Thompson, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Susan R. Connor, Miner County Auditor
The board accepted with regret a resignation letter from Heath Thompson, Miner County Board of Commissioners Chairman. His resignation will be effective April 1, 2013. Heath has accepted a position as a manager of a SD Rural Water System. Commissioners expressed their appreciation for all his time, effort, research and leadership that he provided during his 8years as a member of the board and wish him the best in his professional career.
The board briefly discussed the procedure to be followed for appointing a person to fulfill Thompson term until the next general election. It was decided to hold a special meeting on April 2, 2013 to begin the process to make that appointment.
Claims: SDSU Extension $10,500.00 4-H payment to state; Century Link $95.99, Santel $55.12, Triotel $172.22 911 charges; Interlakes Community Action $527.65 community action payment; Philip R. Parent $343.60 court appointed attorneys; Children’s Care Corner $6000.00 day care center grant; National Assn of State Agencies $39.00 dues; Howard Farmers Coop $1136.55, Kieffer Oil $57.73 fuel; South Dakota Assn County Com. $841.08 legal exp relief fund; Office Peeps $313.49 LEPC amounts held for others; Marv Ekeren $15.00, Lucy Lewno $150.46, Lincoln County Auditor $284.50, Shreves Law Office $212.84, Karen Swanda $15.00, Yankton Co. Sheriff Office $25.00 mental illness hearing expense; Miner County Treasurer $106.46, Stamp Fulfillment Services $71.50 postage; Davison County Jail $860.00 prisoner care; Aramark Uniform $60.59 rent; Bob’s Electric $850.00, Hard Drive Outlet $258.64, Office Peeps $678.80, Tom’s Hardware $98.30 misc. repairs; Brock White Co $6500.00 Dakotagas Propane $275.00 Spencer Quarries $5,483.96 road materials; Bob’s Electric $589.67, Boyer Ford $16.57, Butler Machinery $590.48, Creative Product Sourcing $329.67, Dakota Diesel $721.79, Dust-Tex $114.23, GCR Tire $19.90, Michael Todd & Co $823.62, Office Peeps $1652.53, Rhomar Industries $735.34, Rockmount Research $525.89, SD Federal Property Agency $120.00, Tom’s Hardware $9.46, Vander Haag’s $300.00 supplies;
Best Western $124.99, Don Bowman $20.72, Cardmember Services $550.00, Deadwood Mountain Grand $123.36, Voni Durant $29.60, Ron Krempges $18.00, Heath Thompson $115.44, SD Assn of County Commissioners $300.00 travel; Dakota Diesel Service $400.00, Howard Farmers Coop $89.78 vehicle repairs.
The board adjourned until Tuesday, April 2, 2013. Dated this 19th day of March, 2013.
Heath A. Thompson, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Susan R. Connor, Miner County Auditor