October 3, 2023
The Miner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on October 3, 2023 in the Miner County Courthouse Commission room. Members present: Tom Reisch, Joe Bechen, Mike Clary and Kathy Faber. Absent: Alex Protsch. The flag pledge was recited. Motion by Bechen, seconded by Faber and carried to approve the agenda. No persons appeared for public comment.
The minutes of the September 19th meetings were approved.
The auditor’s account with the county treasurer showed a September 30, 2023 balance of $5,625,723.38 in all state, county, civil, school and trust accounts.
It was moved by Faber, seconded by Bechen carried to authorize the auditor to pay the following claims: Road & Bridge $42,558.87, Wellmark $53,814.22, Delta Dental $1,695.80, Kansas City Life $481.87, Retirement $7,142.71, OASI $10,244.69, Commissioners $4,655.25, Auditor $8,143.25, Treasurer $7,436.25, States Attorney $5,880.00, Govt Building $3,924.45, Director of Equalization $9,352.49, Register of Deeds $7,909.01, Vet Service $575.00, Sheriff $11,877.25, Highway Safety $1,258.83, Coroner $75.00, Contract Law $5,167.05, Welfare $666.19, Co Nurse $1,489.75, Ambulance $8,876.60, WIC $101.00, Extension $1,489.75, Weed $1,346.50, Dispatch $15,804.15, Emergency Mgt $2,500.75 SEPT PAYROLL; Rechnagel Construction $83,700.00, Ulteig $22,038.00 CONTRACTED MAINTENANCE; Miner Co Treasurer $79.09 FUEL; Emergency Safety Education $135.00 IN SERVICE EDUCATION; Mark Neises $282.00 MOWING; Miner Co Treasurer $66.00 POSTAGE; Prostrollo Auto Mall $486.13, Sturdevant’s $23.98, Wingen’s Garage $42.88 REPAIRS; Ron Ecklein $37,500.00, Homestead $7.29, Kimball Midwest $199.66 ROAD MATERIALS; Dan’s Heating & Cooling $107.14, Driveline Service $450.68, Miner Co Treasurer $39.93, Rockmount Research $334.13, Safety Kleen $418.11, Sturdevant’s $80.13 SUPPLIES; Alliance $969.39, AT&T $53.57, Verizon $97.17 TELEPHONE; BestWestern Plus Ramkota $202.99, Northern Plains Appraisal $12.00, Ramkota Hotel $605.00, SD LTAP $125.00, Tami Severson $214.00, Kent Terwilliger $507.24, The Lodge at Deadwood $400.00 TRAVEL; City of Howard $3,126.72, Northwestern Energy $35.12 UTILITIES.
Commissioner Faber reported she had attended the Weed Board meeting at which she answered budget questions.
At Public Comment 4-H Youth Advisor Jillian Calmus and 4-H secretary Brittany Yanish thanked the board of commissioners for their continued support of the 4-H program and presented them with sweet treats.
The board acknowledged the following correspondence: Miner Co Sheriff August report; Miner Co Veterans Service Officer August report; SD Dept of Ag & Natl Resources-Spill Report from 9/26/23; Hometown Holidays Support Letter.
A letter from the Minnehaha County Board of Commissioners was reviewed. It was moved by Faber, seconded by Bechen and carried to agree to the termination of the Joint Powers Agreement for Juvenile Detention Services which began in 1995 effective December 31, 2023
Highway Superintendent Ron Krempges presented the townships’ 5-year plans and a listing of hours on county owned machinery. Culverts located in Beaver Twp (County Rd #21), Canova Twp (County Rds #7 & #22) and Vermillion Twp (County Rd #22) are in need of repair. Krempges stated that by lining the culverts, instead of replacing with metal culverts, the longevity will be greatly increased (estimated life 75 to 100 years). He has obtained a cost estimate from Subsurface, Inc. utilizing Union County, SD bid for lining culverts. It was moved by Clary, seconded by Bechen and carried unanimously to utilize Union County’s bid to repair the above-mentioned culverts via lining the culverts for a total cost of $96,458. Also reviewed was estimated cost for tire disposal, weed/ditch mowing, gravel hauling and other highway matters.
Jim Desalvo of Family Heritage Insurance made a request to offer supplemental insurance to county employees. This insurance would not be paid through payroll deductions but would be billed directly to the employee. The board denied his request for a listing of all county employees for the purpose of offering this insurance.
Emergency Management Director Kent Terwilliger presented the updated HazMat Plan. This plan has been reviewed and approved by Terwilliger and the Local Emergency Planning Commission. Terwilliger made the request for the board to approve the plan. It was moved by Faber, seconded by Clary and carried to authorize vice-chairman Reisch to sign the approved plan and instruct Terwilliger to submit the plan to First District of Local Governments.
Commissioners requested Terwilliger to report on the jet fuel and chemical spill that occurred on September 26th. KATO Aviation had a spray & fuel rig tip in the ditch east of Canova. Terwilliger reported the site has been cleaned up and that only grass needs to be planted.
Brittany Yanish made a request for a change in payroll procedures and deductions. Auditor Connor explained the process. The commission instructed Yanish to submit a new W-4 form.
Treasurer Jessica Charles reported that Kathy Weidler has submitted her resignation and retirement effective December 22, 2023. Charles requested permission to advertise for her replacement and to authorize the new position to start prior to Weidler’s retirement. Commissioners authorized Charles to begin the process and will consider the request for the new hire to begin prior to December 22nd at a future meeting.
Director of Equalization presented the following plats for consideration. It was moved by Faber and seconded by Clary to adopt the following resolution.
RESOLUTION 23-19
BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Miner County, South Dakota, that the plat of LOT 1 OF MUTH FARMS ADDITION IN THE EAST ½ OF THE SE ¼ OF SECTION 23, T 105 N, R 58 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 herby authorized and directed to endorse on such plat a copy of this Resolution and certify the same.
Voting aye: Bechen, Faber, Clary and Reisch. Voting nay: none. Resolution adopted this 3rd day October, 2023.
Tom Reisch, Vice Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Susan Connor, Miner County Auditor
It was moved by Bechen and seconded by Faber to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION 23-20
BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Miner County, South Dakota, that the plat of LOTS 1A AND 1B OF HOSS ADDITION IN THE S ½ OF SECTION 35, T107N, R56W OF THE 5TH P.M., MINER COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA, as described above and hereon be approved and accepted and the Chairman is hereby instructed to endorse on such plat.
Voting aye: Bechen, Faber, Clary and Reisch. Voting nay: none. Resolution adopted this 3rd day October, 2023.
Tom Reisch, Vice Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Susan Connor, Miner County Auditor
Lori Kiehl made a request for assistance in moving the seats in the courtroom prior to the plaster and ceiling work the week of October 16th. Bechen, Clary, Connor and Kiehl will move the seating on Native American Day, October 9th.
No further information has been received from the SD Dept. of Health for the 2023 CHN contract, therefore no action was taken.
Having no further business, the meeting adjourned until October 17th. Dated this 3rd day of October, 2023.
Tom Reisch, Vice Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Susan Connor, Miner County Auditor