February 16, 2021
The Miner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session February 16, 2021 in the Miner County Courthouse. Members present: Roger Wentland, Garrett Gassman, Tom Reisch, Kathy Faber and Alex Protsch. Absent: none. Chairman Protsch called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Motion by Wentland, seconded by Gassman and carried to approve the agenda. The minutes of the February 2nd meeting were approved. No person appeared for Public Comment and no conflict of interest was declared.
The following correspondence was received: Moisture Reports; CHN June-December 2020 Reports; Veterans’ Service Officer January Report.
It was moved by Reisch, seconded by Wentland and carried to authorize the auditor to pay the following claims: Alliance $150.00, Santel $55.12, Triotel $171.53 911 CHARGES; ICAP $691.67 COMMUNITY ACTION PAYMENT; Lammers, Kleibacker & Dawson $802.90 COURT APPT ATTY; Central Electric Coop $65.15, Xcel Energy $67.77 ELECTRICITY; Equipment Blades Inc. $3,926.56 EQUIPMENT; Cardmember Services $60.83, HFCA $11,255.67, Wingen’s Garage $1,273.86 FUEL; Co Employee $678.71 INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENT; Emergency Medical Products $103.89, Office Peeps $9.76, Rusty’s $13.98 PANDEMIC SUPPLIES; Miner Co Treasurer $89.19 POSTAGE; Miner County Pioneer $540.78 PUBLISHING; Microfilm Imaging Systems $385.00 RENT; Butler Machinery $140.00, Howard Auto Clinic $680.30, HFCA $63.75, IState Truck Center $361.13, Office Peeps $344.57, S&S Contracting $4,056.98, Ultra $1,162.25, Wingen’s Garage $25.00 REPAIRS; Spencer Quarries $27,133.50 ROAD MATERIALS; Lexis-Nexis $149.00 SUBSCRIPTION; Boyer $320.90, Butler Machinery $690.54, Cardmember Services $421.31, Emergency Medical Products $189.50, Home Service Water $7.00, HFCA $16.10, IState Truck Center $870.50, Miner Co Treasurer $60.25, National 4-H Council $115.65, Office Peeps $1,124.00, Pomp’s Tire Service $450.02, Rusty’s $117.10, S&S Contracting $26.80, Cora Schwader $63.64, Sturdevant’s $1,654.46, Tom’s Hardware $115.72, Transource $27.23, Ultra $718.50, Wheelco $1,065.61, Wingen’s Garage $267.00 SUPPLIES; Alliance $47.90, AT&T $193.22, Verizon $69.85 TELEPHONE; SD Dept of Public Safety $2,340.00 TELETYPE; Kathy Faber $33.60, Garrett Gassman $17.64, SDACO $220.00, Toxicology Labs $300.00 TRAVEL.
Review of budgeting and funding for the courthouse project took place. The board instructed the auditor to advertise for a supplemental budget hearing to be held on March 16th.
Auditor Connor reported on the employee turnout for the AFLAC meetings. She made a request for commissioners to require in person meetings in 2022. Connor also made a request for a level increase for Rebecca Mommaerts. It was moved by Wentland, seconded by Gassman and carried to grant the level increase for Rebecca Mommaerts from level 7 to level 8 effective March 1st.
It was moved by Gassman, seconded by Faber and carried to designate Chairman Alex Protsch as Miner County’s 2021 designee to request assistance from the SD Dept of Agriculture Wildland Fire Division as defined by SDCL 41-20A-11.
Agtegra submitted a request for a permit to land aircraft on Miner County highways. They have submitted their certificate of insurance, listing Miner County as a certificate holder. It was moved by Wentland, seconded by Gassman and carried to approve the permit from Agtegra for landing aircraft on Miner County Highways.
It was moved by Wentland, seconded by Reisch and carried to approve the 2021 Victim/Witness contract with Beadle County.
Director of Equalization Tami Severson presented the following plat for consideration.
RESOLUTION 21-5
BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County commissioners of Miner County, South Dakota, that the plat of LOTS 10A, 11A and 15A OF THE CLOVERLEAF SECOND ADDITION IN THE SE ¼ OF SECTION 3, T 108 N, R 56 W OF THE 5TH P.M., MINER COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA, which has been submitted for examination pursuant to law, is hereby approved and the County Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to endorse on such plat a copy of this Resolution and certify the same.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Susan Connor, Miner County Auditor
It was moved by Gassman, seconded by Wentland and carried to enter into executive session (SDCL 1-25-2 91)) at 9:32 a.m. The board returned to regular session at 10:05 a.m.
Highway Superintendent Ron Krempges reported on highway matters. The board accepted the resignation of Logan Calmus and thanked him for his years of service to the county.
The board accepted the resignation of Maria Feldhaus as Miner County 4-H Youth Advisor. Maria has worked within the extension office for 21 years. The board thanked her for her commitment to the youth of Miner County.
It was moved by Gassman, seconded by Wentland and carried to approve the contract for law enforcement services for the City of Howard. The contract will be forwarded to the city for their approval.
It was moved by Wentland, seconded by Reisch and carried to approve the contract with the SD Dept of Health for community health nurse services within Miner County for 2021.
Commissioners were reminded of the Thursday meeting for the building committee with Puetz Design + Build and Architecture, Inc.
Director of 911 & Dispatch Services Cora Schwader joined the meeting to request the ability to offer a 40 hour per week dispatch position. This would allow one dispatcher to receive full benefits. Commissioners voiced concerns offering this to one dispatcher and how this would be received by the other part-time dispatch employees. All commissioners agreed to not grant this request.
Maria Feldhaus, 4-H Youth Advisor, on behalf of herself and CHN Kayla Miller made the request for a level increase for clerical worker Brittany Yanish. It was moved by Wentland, seconded by Faber and carried to grant a level increase to Brittany Yanish from level 3 to level 4 effective March 1st.
Cody Dawson & Nick Kramer from the City of Howard and Eric Rentschler joined the meeting to request assistance in the removal of 13 Ash trees located to the west of the courthouse near the basketball courts. This property is owned by the county and leased by the City of Howard. The board agreed to allow the highway department to assist in the project. Replacement of the trees will be discussed at a later date.
Auditor Connor distributed the 2020 Miner County Annual Report which has been published and filed with the SD Department of Legislative Audit.
Having no further business, the meeting adjourned to March 2nd. Dated this 16th day of February, 2021.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Susan Connor, Miner County Auditor