February 6, 2024
The Miner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session February 6, 2024, in the Miner County Courthouse Commission room. Members present: Alex Protsch, Tom Reisch, Joe Bechen, and Mike Clary. Members absent: Kathy Faber. Also present for portions of the meeting were Tami Severson, Jessica Charles, Ron Krempges, Rob Eggert, Jill Calmus, Josh Hahn, and Cora Schwader.
Chairman Protsch called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The auditor’s account with the county treasurer showed a January 31, 2024 balance of $5,881,247.71 in all state, county, civil, school and trust accounts.
The Callies Plats item on the agenda will be tabled until the next meeting. It was moved by Reisch, seconded by Bechen and carried to approve the agenda, as amended. The minutes of the January 16th meeting were approved. No Commissioner report of meetings attended.
No one appeared for Public Comment.
The board acknowledge receipt of the following correspondence: FEMA Flood Insurance Study & Maps, effective June 6, 2024, and the January 2024 Sheriff Report. Director of Equalization Tami Severson let the Commissioners know she is working with Luke at First District to get these new flood maps integrated into the Miner County zoning manual and GIS system.
It was moved by Bechen, seconded by Clary and carried to authorize the auditor to pay the following claims: Road & Bridge $56823.29, MERP Fund $51,732.83, Reliance Standard $1,667.60, Retirement $7,718.33, OASI $11,545.94, Commissioners $4,655.25, Auditor $7,793.70, Treasurer $7,717.50, States Attorney $6,056.50, Govt Building $3,832.63, Director of Equalization $9,483.86, Register of Deeds $7,242.94, Vet Service $592.25, Sheriff $12,197.75, Coroner $75.00, Contract Law $5,248.08, Welfare $714.60, Ambulance $13,394.07, Weed $1,511.50, Dispatch $17,473.33, Emergency Mgt $2,575.00 JAN PAYROLL; Tami Severson $14.00, Darcy Laible $14.00 PAYROLL TRAVEL
Josh Esser $150.00, Josh Hahn $60.00, Garret Werkmeister $90.00 AMBULANCE ATTENDANT FEES; Elan Financial $555.20 SUPPLIES; Elan Financial $363.50 TRAVEL; Accounts Management, Inc. $30,271.88 POOR RELIEF;
Alliance $282.25, Santel $30.00, Triotel $169.53 911 CHARGES; Sanford $3,720.00 AUTOPSY; SD DOT $3,451.83 CONTRACTED MAINTENANCE; Tri State Emerg Mgt $20.00 DUES; Madison Ace Hardware $260.99, Office Peeps $165.06 EQUIPMENT; Butler $1,822.48, HFCA $14,672.69, Ron Krempges $101.12, Madison Ace Hardware $53.97, Sturdevant’s $8.98 FUEL; Glacial Lakes $300.00 GRANTS; County Employee $209.43 INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENT; Northwestern Energy $1,409.17 GAS SERVICE; Motorola Solutions $3,407.96 HOMELAND SECURITY; Mark Katterhagen $18.00, Val Larson $18.00, Lucy Lewno $176.64, Abby J Oftedal Atty $214.00, Yankton Co Sheriff $50.00 MENTAL ILLNESS HEARING EXPENSE; Miner Co Treasurer $76.69 POSTAGE; Dust-Tex $133.24, Microfilm Imaging $385.00 RENT; Butler $2,028.56, Dakota Body Shop $207.50, Dakota Fluid Power $1,724.65, Dan’s Heating $799.62, Dust-Tex $191.22, Howard Auto Clinic $602.74, HFCA $28.78, Office Peeps $157.48, Prostrollo Auto $188.37, Sturdevant’s $4.49, TwoTrees $185.00, Upstate Wholesale $3,894.00, Vanguard Appraisals $5,750.00 REPAIRS; Michael Johnson Construction $4,069.69 ROAD MATERIALS; Kristian Ellendorf $900.00 STATE’S ATTY OFFICE EXPENSE; Lexis Nexis $149.00 SUBSCRIPTION; Alliance $50.00, Butler $4,339.14, Countywide $584.00, Fox Promo $37.17, Home Service Water $40.60, HFCA $140.48, Kimball Midwest $510.76, Mac’s Inc $188.91, Madison Ace Hardware $1,449.99, Matheson $324.42, Mcleods $269.75, Mighty Auto Parts $232.48, MC Treasurer $152.00, Office Peeps $1700.00, RDO Equipment $807.00, Tim Reisch $433.33, Revier Pressure Washers $1,716.00, Rusty’s $50.00, SD DOPS $60.00, Tami Severson $20.00, Shane’s Hardware $48.50, Sturdevant’s $386.78, TwoTrees $208.00, Upstate Wholesale $4,648.00 SUPPLIES; Alliance $804.50, AT&T $327.06, Erin Feldhaus $30.00, Lori Kiehl $30.00, Rebecca Mommaerts $30.00, Molly Steeneck $30.00, Verizon $97.30, Danielle Werkmeister $30.00, Tami Severson $30.00 TELEPHONE; HFCA $16.41, SD LTAP $125.00, SD Assn County Hwy Superintendents $100.00 TRAVEL; City Of Howard $3,729.48 UTILITIES.
Severson presented a plat on behalf of Michael K. Clites Grantor Trust which meets current zoning and has all taxes paid. It was moved by Bechen and seconded by Clary and motion carried, that the plat shown hereon and described as LOT 1 OF CUNNINGHAM’S ADDITION IN THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER (SW ¼) OF SECTION NINE (9), TOWNSHIP ONE HUNDRED EIGHT (108) NORTH, RANGE FIFTY-SEVEN (57) 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 February 6, 2024 and the county Auditor is hereby instructed to endorse on such plat a copy of this resolution and to certify the same.
Severson presented applications for an abatement and/or refund of property taxes for tax years payable 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 pursuant to SDCL 10-4-41. Reisch made a motion to abate the taxes payable in 2024. After discussion, Reisch amended his motion to abate the 2023 taxes payable in 2024 and refund the 2022 taxes payable in 2023 pursuant to SDCL 10-4-41, seconded by Bechen and passed unanimously.
Highway Superintendent Ron Krempges gave an update on highway matters. Some counties have posted spring weight limits due to the unusual weather, but due to the cooler temps in the forecast, Krempges has decided to wait on that. The Agreement for the 2023 Local Federal Bridge Replacement Project was revised to clarify the breakdown of funding and needs to be signed again. Reisch made a motion to direct Chairman Protsch to sign the updated agreement, seconded by Bechen and passed.
The 2017 motor grader warranty was discussed again; Commissioners instructed Krempges to hold off on the warranty at this time. The 2025 highway equipment budget was discussed. Krempges obtained a new contract for the Ecklein gravel pit and has agreed on a 4-year contract at a 10-cent increase ($1.35). Krempges has been working with the Chevy dealer on obtaining a new truck, but may have to look elsewhere due to the high demand. The highway crew is blading before the cold sets in again and trying to crack seal. Krempges will be attending the asphalt conference in Oacoma next week and the Highway Superintendent short course on March 18 & 19 in Deadwood.
Sheriff Rob Eggert has advertised for the deputy position and asked the Commissioners what he could offer as a salary. Commissioners gave Eggert a starting range for a certified candidate, and a starting range for an uncertified candidate. At Eggert’s request, Commissioners also approved hiring another part-time deputy, to fill in as needed. Motion by Bechen, seconded by Clary and passed to declare the four older body cameras surplus property. Eggert will send an email out to see if there is any interest in another entity purchasing them.
4-H Youth Advisor Jill Calmus gave an office update, highlighting shooting sports, chicks in the classroom, livestock trailer safety training, and the upcoming construction of the new barn and planting of new trees on the 4-H Grounds. Miner County Achievement Days is set for Aug 5-7. Calmus will have her spring conference March 12-14.
Calmus requested to hire a permanent part-time assistant in the office, with hours similar to what Brittany Yanish worked the previous year. Commissioners approved her hiring a permanent part-time clerical employee at 14 hours per week, increasing to 35 hours per week the week prior to and the week of Miner County Achievement Days and the South Dakota State Fair.
Director of 911 & Dispatch Services Cora Schwader informed the board of HB-1092, a 911 surcharge bill before state legislature to raise surcharge from $1.25 per phoneline to $2.00 per phoneline. She encouraged commissioners to support the bill, as the surcharge has not increased since 2012 and it would increase revenue for the dispatch service.
Currently in the personnel policy, part-time employees are only allowed to utilize their PTO in 8-hour increments. Schwader requested to decrease this to a 4-hour minimum to allow greater flexibility to part-time employees when using their time off. Clary made a motion to amend personnel policy 6.3.3.2 to allow Paid Time Off to be taken in four-to-eight-hour increments, seconded by Reisch, and carried.
Schwader made a request for level raises for all dispatchers no longer eligible for automatic level raises. Motion by Reisch, seconded by Clary, and passed to approve level raises, effective February 18, to Randy Schwader (Level 9), Jen Bolden & Joni Jacobson (Level 7), Deborah Gibson (Level 6), and Jennifer Hahn & Shannon Hoffman (Level 4).
Schwader also reported on issues with the blinds on west side of the dispatch office. The Commissioners asked Cora to get an estimate for new blinds or for tint for the windows.
Auditor Rebecca Mommaerts presented her work on the county Naloxone policy, and the associated forms. She needs to discuss the highway’s needs with them before finalizing the policy. Mommaerts asked the board to review the documents and suggest any additions/deletions before the next meeting.
Severson gave an update for the Director of Equalization office as she prepares for equalization. Handouts for “Understanding Property Taxes” and “Property Taxes 101” will be available in the Director of Equalization office. Severson provided equalization and appeals information to the board. She also gave some information on recent sales, showing how much higher bare land is selling within the cities of Miner County than what their office currently has them valued at. Severson will co-host the annual county meeting with towns & townships on March 11th and invited the Commissioners to attend.
The Commissioners approved Mommaerts to close the Auditor’s office on February 28th and the morning of February 29th to allow staff to attend election training in Pierre.
Mommaerts presented an application for an abatement and/or refund of property taxes for the tax year payable in 2024 pursuant to SDCL 10-18-1.1. This application is due to an incorrect tax bill being mailed out by the county, prior to removing an advanced mobile home payment from 2023. Motion by Bechen, seconded by Reisch and carried to approve the application.
Mommaerts presented an application for an abatement and/or refund of property taxes for the tax year payable in 2024 pursuant to SDCL 10-6A-4. Treasurer Jessica Charles stated the applicant meets all the criteria for the abatement. Motion by Reisch, seconded by Clary and carried to approve the application.
Motion by Clary, seconded by Bechen and carried to pass the following resolution:
RESOLUTION 24-07
WHEREAS, SDCL 41-20A-11 allows the South Dakota Department of Public Safety Wildland Fire Division to send up to 6 personnel and 2 vehicles for mutual aid at no cost to the county, and
WHEREAS, South Dakota counties must appoint a designee who will have the authority to obligate county funds in their request for fire suppression assistance from the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Wildland Fire Division, which could be single engine airtankers, fire engines, handcrews, fire investigators, and/or additional fire management personnel,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Miner County designee for the period of February 2024 through January 2026 shall be Emergency Manager Kent Terwilliger.
Voting aye: Protsch, Reisch, Bechen & Clary Voting nay: None
Resolution adopted this 6th day of February, 2024 at Howard, South Dakota.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Rebecca Mommaerts
Miner County Auditor
Mommaerts had received a call from the Public Group to set up a webinar to introduce the county to Public Surplus, an auction service available at no fee to the county through the SD Association of County Commissioners. The commissioners instructed Mommaerts to find out if the auction service had to be used for every auction, or if the county was able to choose when and when not to use it. The Commissioners instructed Mommaerts to register for the service if the county is able to choose.
Discussion on the meeting dates for Achievement Days and the County Convention was tabled until the next meeting.
The meeting adjourned to February 20th. Dated this 6th day of February, 2024.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Rebecca Mommaerts
Miner County Auditor