October 17, 2023
The Miner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on October 17, 2023 in the Miner County Courthouse Commission Room. Members present: Tom Reisch, Kathy Faber, Mike Clary and Joe Bechen. Absent: Alex Protsch. Others present for portions of the meeting included Jessica Charles, Tami Severson and Rob Eggert. Vice-Chairman Reisch called the meeting to order. The flag pledge was recited. Motion by Bechen, seconded by Faber and carried to approve the agenda. Commissioner Faber reported on attending the recent Ambulance Board meeting where she provided answers to questions on removing the new ambulance from the 2024 budget. The minutes of the October 3rd meeting were approved.
It was moved by Clary, seconded by Bechen and carried to authorize the auditor to pay the following claims: Alliance $150.00, Santel $30.00, Triotel $173.53 911 CHARGES; Jencks Law $833.50 ABSD/NEG CHILD DEFENSE ATTYS; SD Assn of Co Commissioners $640.00 CLERP; ICAP $738.67 COMMUNITY ACTION PMT; Ulteig Engineers $5,337.00 CONTRACTED MAINTENANCE; Safe N Secure $12,142.62 EQUIPMENT; HFCA $22,827.60, Shane’s Hardware $6.58, Sturdevant’s $101.15 FUEL; Emergency Safety Education $225.00 IN SERVICE EDUCATION; SDML Workers’ Comp Fund $28,853.00 INSURANCE; Lincoln Co Auditor $64.20 MENTAL ILLNESS HEARING EXPENSE; Mark Neises $564.00 MOWING; Beadle Co Sheriff $190.00 PRISONER CARE; Office Ally $35.00 PROCESSING FEE; Miner County Pioneer $82.28 PUBLISHING; Dust-Tex $133.24, Micofilm Imaging Systems $385.00 RENT; Axon Enterprise $2,767.27, HFCA $108.64, Office Peeps $167.41, RDO Equipment $1,068.00, S&S Contracting $221.02, Safe N Secure $17,577.06, Tritech Software $997.87, Tyler Technologies $1,200.00, Ultra $2,044.45 REPAIRS; Shane’s Hardware $48.67, TrueNorth Steel $10,286.10 ROAD MATERIALS; Kristian Ellendorf $900.00 STATE’S ATTY OFFICE EXP ALLOWANCE; Relx Inc $149.00 SUBSCRIPTIONS; Cummins Central Power $566.06, Dakota Data Shred $18.11, Dawson Construction $120.67, Dust-Tex Service $171.90, Elan Financial Services $72.92, Home Service Water Conditioning $29.40, HFCA $32.35, IState Truck Center $58.23, John Deere Financial $206.35, Office Peeps $671.84, RDO Equipment $285.27, Tim Reisch $433.33, Rusty’s $648.38, Safe N Secure $179.88, Tami Severson $20.00, Shane’s Hardware $126.12, Sirchie $102.36, Sturdevant’s $425.21, Tiger Mowers $147.24, Ultra $150.00, Wheelco $30.36, Wingen’s Garage $18.80 SUPPLIES; AT&T $272.94, Susan Connor $30.00, Erin Feldhaus $30.00, Lori Kiehl $30.00, Tami Severson $30.00, Molly Steeneck $30.00 TELEPHONE; SD DPS $2,340.00 TELETYPE; Joe Bechen $25.50, Kari Jo Carlson $7.14, Rob Eggert $6.12, Kathy Faber $85.68, Denise Gassman $14.28, Gibi Page $16.32, Molly Steeneck $47.94 TRAVEL; Central Electric $142.33 UTILITIES; Factor360 $120.00 WEBSITE EXPENSE.
The board acknowledged receipt of the following correspondence: Miner County September Moisture Report; NACo Initiative to establish the National Center for Public Land Counties; Veteran Services September Report; Summit Carbon Solutions Grant Program; and Miner County Soil Conservation & NRCS Reports.
Aaron Eldridge, Project Manager for Summit Carbon Solutions spoke during Public Comment. Summit is working hard with counties to be more transparent with pipeline routes and project plans. He gave a brief overview of the newly created grant program for equipment needs for 1st responders. The grant will provide $50,000, plus an additional $1,000 per mile of pipeline in each county. Summit will be working with Miner Co. Emergency Management Director, Kent Terwilliger.
Highway Superintendent Ron Krempges requested the commission to declare the 2002 Sterling Truck as surplus and authorize disposal to be in compliance with the Volkswagan Truck Program. It was moved by Faber, seconded by Clary and carried unanimously to declare the 2002 Sterling Truck as surplus as it is no longer useful or suitable for its intended use and to authorize disposal through VanderHaag’s Salvage.
Krempges presented an updated application from Howard Township for a previously approved Rural Access Infrastructure Grant. It was moved by Bechen, seconded by Faber and carried to approve the updated application which indicated change from cement culverts to steel culverts with no change in overall cost.
It was moved by Faber and seconded by Bechen that the following resolution be adopted.
RESOLUTION 23-21
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE MINER COUNTY FIVE-YEAR HIGHWAY AND BRIDGE IMPROVEMENT PLAN
WHEREAS, the South Dakota Department of Transportation Local Bridge and Improvement Grant Fund requires that in order to be eligible to apply for Bridge Improvement Grant funds, Counties are required to develop a five-year Highway and Bridge Improvement Plan, hereinafter referred to as Plan; and
WHEREAS, Miner County has utilized the South Dakota Department of Transportation, County Staff, the First District Association of Local Governments, Townships, and the general public in developing the various components of the Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Plan includes maps and lists identifying an inventory of highways and bridges, project needs and revenue sources; and
WHEREAS, Miner County held a public meeting on September 19, 2023, to solicit input into the Plan, and the citizens who attended expressed an interest in the Plan; and
WHEREAS, the County will be able to use the Plan as a tool to budget for transportation enhancements and better coordinate transportation issues with other entities;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MINER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIOINERS THAT THE MINER COUNTY FIVE-YEAR HIGHWAY AND BRIDGE IMPROVEMENT PLAN IS HEREBY ADOPTED AND IS RECOGNIZED AS THE HIGHWAY AND BRIDGE IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR MINER COUNTY.
Dated at Miner County, South Dakota this 17th day of October, 2023.
Tom Reisch, Vice-Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Susan Connor, Miner County Auditor
The highway department has been working with the 4-H leaders on the construction of the new hog, sheep and goat barn. Krempges estimates $2800 of gravel will be donated by the county for the project. He also reviewed estimated costs for 2024 purchase of a new pickup.
It was moved by Bechen, seconded by Faber and carried to make an operating transfer, as provided for in the 2023 budget, of $503,383 from General Fund to the Emergency Management Fund in the amount of $3383 and to the Road & Bridge Fund in the amount of $500,000.
Curt Neises of Miner Insurance and Lynn Bren of SD Public Assurance Alliance presented quotes for the county’s property, liability and cyber insurance. The board will consider these proposals at its November 7th meeting.
Jen Fouberg & Elizabeth Volzke joined the meeting to review the 2023 CHN and 2023-24 WIC contract thru the SD Dept. of Health. With the reorganization of the SD Dept. of Health, CHN & WIC services have been split. Miner County is served by CHN Kayla Miller who will continue to provide CHN services to Miner County along with Hamlin, Lake, Brookings and Kingbury counties. WIC services are currently provided virtually with Miner County being serviced with Beadle, Sanborn and Jerauld counties. Volzke encouraged the board to sign the 2023-24 WIC contract so that payment can be made from the state to Miner County for services from June to present. It was moved by Clary, seconded by Bechen and carried to authorize vice-chairman Reisch to sign the 2023-24 WIC contract. This contract and the continuation of such with be considered at the November 7th meeting.
It was moved by Faber, seconded by Clary and carried to authorize vice-chairman Reisch to sign the 2023 CHN contract with the SD Dept. of Health.
Sheriff Rob Eggert presented a Juvenile Justice contract from Beadle County. It was moved by Bechen, seconded by Clary and carried to authorize vice-chairman Reisch to sign the agreement for Juvenile Detention with Beadle County.
It was moved by Faber and seconded by Clary to adopt the following resolution
RESOLUTION 23-22
WHEREAS, insufficient appropriation was made in the 2023 budget for the following departments to discharge just obligation of said appropriation; and
WHEREAS, SDCL 7-21-32.2 provides that transfers may be made by resolution of the board from the contingency appropriation established pursuant to SDCL 7-21-6.1 to other appropriations;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the appropriation be transferred from contingency to Emergency Management $9000 and Court Appointed Attorney $775.
Voting aye: Bechen, Reisch, Clary, and Faber. Voting nay: none. Resolution approved this 17th day of October, 2023.
Tom Reisch Vice-Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Susan Connor, Miner County Auditor
Treasurer Jessica Charles gave an update of staffing her office. She is hopeful to have someone in place by the beginning of December. She will report back on November 7th.
Auditor Susan Connor informed the commission that the Auditor’s office will be closed on October 18 & 19th. Connor and Deputy Rebecca Mommaerts will be attending the SD Secretary of State’s election school.
A letter of resignation was received from Auditor Connor. She will be retiring on December 31, 2023 after over 20 years of service to Miner County residents. She made a request to begin the process of advertising for a staff position for the Auditor’s office. This request was granted by the commission.
It was moved by Faber and seconded by Bechen to enter into executive session (SDCL 1-25-2 (1)) at 11:51. The board returned to regular session at 11:59.
Having no further business, the meeting adjourned until November 7th. Dated this 17th day of October, 2023.
Tom Reisch Vice-Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Susan Connor, Miner County Auditor