April 9, 2024
The Miner County Board of Commissioners met for equalization on April 9, 2024, in the Miner County Courthouse Commission room. Members present: Alex Protsch, Tom Reisch, Joe Bechen, Kathy Faber and Mike Clary. Members absent: none. Director of Equalization Tami Severson was also present.
Chairman Protsch called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. It was moved by Faber, seconded by Bechen, and carried to approve the agenda.
It was moved by Clary, seconded by Reisch and carried to authorize the auditor to pay the following claims: Alliance $150.00, Santel $30.00 911 CHARGES; ICAP $796.09 COMMUNITY ACTION PAYMENT; Elan Financial $125.00 DUES; TwoTrees $705.00 EQUIPMENT; SD SOS $30.00 FILING FEE; Elan Financial $91.23, HFCA $1,657.41 FUEL; Dean Schaefer Court Reporting $36.00, Lincoln County $994.09, Minnehaha County $110.00 MENTAL ILLNESS HEARING EXPENSE; Microfilm Imaging $385.00 RENT; Dakota Data Shred $19.20, HFCA $526.67, Office Peeps $246.77, TwoTrees $2,878.25, Two Way $239.99, Vanguard $2,250.00 REPAIRS; Lexis Nexis $149.00 SUBSCRIPTION; Elan Financial $42.54, Gall’s Inc. $33.28, Home Service Water $29.40, Becki Mommaerts $26.54, Office Peeps $582.70, Rusty’s $161.80, TwoTrees $379.70 SUPPLIES; Alliance $66.92, AT&T $327.06, Jessica Charles $30.00 TELEPHONE; SD DOL $836.00 UNEMPLOYMENT.
Commissioners received the following correspondence: Miner County Moisture Report, Veterans Service Officer March Report, and Sheriff’s March Report.
No new action regarding a burn ban.
A request was received from Jon Mentele on behalf of the Miner County Recreation Association for a monetary donation. Bechen made a motion to disperse $3500 to the Miner County Recreation Association, seconded by Clary and carried, with the request to get a report of where money is dispersed for 2024.
Tami Severson appeared during public comment to inform the Commissioners that Darcy Laible has put in her resignation, effective the end of May. Severson will begin advertising for her replacement. Commissioners expressed their appreciation for the ten years of service Laible has provided the county.
There is a possible electrical issue with a light fixture in the front entryway that custodian Lori Kiehl discussed with Auditor Mommaerts. Mommaerts relayed the issue to the Commissioners, and the Commissioners instructed Kiehl to contact an electrician to evaluate the problem.
It was moved by Reisch, seconded by Faber, and carried to make an operating transfer, as provided for in the 2024 budget, of $20,836.00, from the General Fund to Dispatch in the amount of $20,000 and to Unemployment in the amount of $836.00.
Luke Muller and Greg Maag, through First District Association of Local Governments, appeared via Zoom to review and update the county’s pre-disaster mitigation (PDM) Plan. Those also in attendance were Auditor Mommaerts, Director of Equalization Severson, Treasurer Charles, and Emergency Manager Terwilliger. Suggested revisions will be incorporated into the new PDM plan.
The board members took their oaths of office serving as the Board of Equalization.
Treasurer Jessica Charles informed the board she has received applications for the freeze on assessments of disabled and senior citizens and requested the board instruct the Director of Equalization to make those changes to the assessment roll. Motion by Faber, seconded by Bechen and carried to authorize the director to make the changes for the applications submitted to and approved by the treasurer.
Director of Equalization presented information on applications for disabled veteran exemption. Motion by Bechen, seconded by Clary and carried to authorize the Director of Equalization to make changes on the assessment rolls to reflect the qualifying applications for the Disabled Veterans Exemption.
It was moved by Faber, seconded by Reisch and carried to approve annual applications for continued tax-exempt status (SDCL 10-4-19) for Miner County Historical Society, Fedora Fire Department, Evangelical Good Samaritan Society, Horizon Health Care, Carthage Museum & Historical Society, Orville Redding American Legion Post #61, Nels Pederson American Legion Post #145, townships, churches, and cemeteries throughout Miner County.
Motion by Faber, seconded by Clary and carried to authorize the Director of Equalization to make the changes on the assessment rolls to correct the following clerical errors:
#3735 Lot 4 Block 12 Howard City-Farmer’s
Ø Change to Owner Occupied Classification
#3627 W 65’ of Lots 9 & 10 in Blk 15 Exc N. 12’ of W 65’ of Lot 10 Howard City – OP
Ø Change to Owner Occupied Classification
#3351 Lots 11 & 12 Block 27 Carthage City-OP
Ø Change to Owner Occupied Classification
#1638 SW4 13-107-55
Ø Change to Owner Occupied Classification
#3974 Lt 2 of Lts 2-3 Exc S. 35’ of Lts 2-3 of Lt 27 2-106-56 Howard City-Acre Prop SW4
Ø Change to Owner Occupied Classification
Severson reported that there were no changes approved at local boards, and no county appeals were filed.
Motion by Faber, seconded by Reisch and carried to end Equalization.
Motion by Faber, seconded by Bechen and carried to go into executive session related to SDCL 1-25-2 (4) at 10:30am. Board returned to regular session at 10:49am.
Motion by Faber, seconded by Clary, to grant Gibi Page an additional 40 hours of personal leave for use in 2024 after her vacation leave balance is at or under 40 hours.
Motion by Bechen, seconded by Faber and carried to adjourn.
The meeting adjourned to April 16th. Dated this 9th day of April, 2024.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Rebecca Mommaerts, Miner County Auditor