December 1, 2020
The Miner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session December 1, 2020 in the Miner County Courthouse. Members present: Garrett Gassman, Tom Reisch, Voni Durant, Roger Wentland and Alex Protsch. Absent: none. Chairman Wentland called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Motion by Durant, seconded by Gassman and carried to approve the agenda.
The minutes of the November 17th meeting were approved. No one appeared for Public Comment. No conflict of interest was declared.
The auditor’s account with the county treasurer showed a December 1, 2020 balance of $7,914,105.58 in all state, county, civil, school and trust accounts.
It was moved by Gassman, seconded by Reisch and carried to approve the following claims for payment: Road & Bridge $42,751.42, Wellmark $41,353.77, Delta Dental $1,466.88, Kansas City Life $437.98, Retirement $6,590.49, OASI $9,470.20, Commissioners $4,430.75, Auditor $8,048.46, Treasurer $7,825.75, States Attorney $6,688.63, Govt Building $2,934.81, Director of Equalization $8,134.93, Register of Deeds $8,103.54, Vet Service $918.00, Sheriff $13,079.75, Contract Law $3,967.00, Welfare $354.60, Co Nurse $1,376.00, Ambulance $6,515.77, WIC $90.25, Extension $1,376.00, Weed $1,225.00, Dispatch $12,991.96, Emergency Mgt $2,325.00 NOV PAYROLL; SD DOT $12,882.98 CONTRACTED MAINTENANCE; Miner Co Treasurer $21.00 DOMESTIC ABUSE ADMIN EXPENSE; Domestic Violence Network $94.50, Mitchell Area Safehouse $94.50 DOMESTIC ABUSE PAY TO OTHERS; Ultra $1,380.00 EQUIPMENT; Northwestern Energy $448.77 GAS SERVICE; Emergency Safety Education $113.61 IN SERVICE EDUCATION; LeadsOnline $1,188.00 INVESTIGATION EXPENSE; Miner Co Treasurer $111.55, Tim Reisch $11.00 POSTAGE; Midwest Fire & Safety $136.00, Ultra $110.00 REPAIRS; Canova Service Center $937.02, Lyle Signs $656.33, TrueNorth Steel $8,335.25 ROAD MATERIALS; Gregory Protsch $900.00 STATE’S ATTY OFFICE EXPENSE ALLOWANCE; All States Ag Parts $186.98, ES&S $1,634.26, Girton Adams $225.00, Midwest Fire & Safety $125.00, Miner Co Treasurer $84.41, Pomp’s Tire Service $8,401.12, Redwood Toxicology Lab $165.00, Tim Reisch $79.31, Tami Severson $20.00, Ultra $161.00 SUPPLIES; Colleen Arens $30.00, AT&T $35.64, Century Link $15.18, Tami Severson $30.00 TELEPHONE.
It was moved by Reisch, seconded by Durant and carried to close county offices Thursday, December 24th, following Governor Noem’s closing of state offices for the Christmas holiday.
Director of Equalization Tami Severson presented the following plat for consideration. It was moved by Gassman and seconded by Protsch to approve the following resolution.
RESOLUTION 20-42
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the plat shown hereon and described as LOTS 1 AND 2 OF TRIPP’S ADDITION IN THE EAST HALF OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER (E ½ NE ¼) OF SECTION 14, TOWNSHIP 106 NORTH, RANGE 56 WEST OF THE 5TH P.M. IN MINER COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA, be approved and accepted by the Board of County Commissioners at its meeting of December 1, 2020 and the county Auditor is hereby instructed to endorse on such plat a copy of this resolution and to certify the same.
Voting aye: Protsch, Gassman, Durant, Reisch and Wentland. Voting nay: none. Resolution adopted this 1st day of December, 2020.
Roger Wentland, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Susan R. Connor, Miner County Auditor
The board discussed the 2021 commission vacancy due to Voni Durant not running for reelection. An advertisement will be placed in the Miner County Pioneer and the Miner County website asking for letters of interest to be submitted to the auditor’s office by 5:00 p.m. on December 28th. The board will consider those letters at its December 29th meeting.
Deputy State’s Attorney Kristian Ellendorf joined the meeting to review legal and contractual matters. It was moved by Protsch, seconded by Gassman and carried to enter into executive session (SDCL 1-25-2) at 9:30. The board returned to regular session at 9:36. It was moved by Protsch, seconded by Gassman and carried to authorize Chairman Wentland to sign the lease agreement with the Miner County Historical Society if approved by the society at their December 1st meeting. Durant left the meeting.
Ellendorf also reviewed the contracts associated with the courthouse building project. It was moved by Protsch, seconded by Gassman and carried unanimously to authorize Chairman Wentland to sign the contracts with Architecture Inc. and Puetz Design + Build.
Treasurer elect, Jessica Charles, reported that she has hired Kathleen Weidler to serve as deputy treasurer beginning January 1, 2021.
Highway Superintendent Ron Krempges joined the meeting and presented the SD Dept. of Transportation 2020 Local Federal Bridge Program Funding Agreement. Ellendorf gave an overview of the agreement and noted a few concerns. After discussion, it was moved by Reisch, seconded by Protsch and carried unanimously to enter into the agreement with the SD Dept. of Transportation and authorize the Chairman, Roger Wentland, to sign the agreement.
Krempges reviewed several bridge projects, future equipment purchases, and other highway matters. He reminded the commissioners serving on the highway committee of the December 10th overlay bid opening at 11:00 in the community room of the Miner County courthouse.
Miranda Bender of The Insurance Store presented the county’s health, dental, vision and life renewal. After reviewing the information, it was moved by Reisch, seconded by Protsch and carried unanimously to offer the current health, dental, vision and life insurance plans, basing the county’s share on the EnhancedBlue 3000 plan.
Having no further business, the meeting adjourned to December 15th. Dated this 1st day of December, 2020.
Roger Wentland, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Susan Connor, Miner County Auditor