July 16, 2024
The Miner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on July 16, 2024, in the Miner County Courthouse Commission room. Members present: Alex Protsch, Tom Reisch, Joe Bechen, and Mike Clary. Members absent: Kathy Faber.
Chairman Protsch called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. It was moved by Reisch, seconded by Bechen, and carried to approve the agenda. The minutes from the July 2nd meeting were approved. No report of meetings attended. No one appeared for public comment.
Motion by Clary, seconded by Reisch and carried to authorize the Auditor’s Office to pay the following claims: Alliance $150.00, Santel $30.00 911 CHARGES; ICAP $796.09 COMMUNITY ACTION PAYMENT; Redwood Toxicology $224.00 DRUG TEST; Elan Financial $151.98, HFCA $12,210.75, Sturdevant’s $124.57 FUEL; Miner Insurance $135.00, Wellmark $58,237.64 INSURANCE; Elan Financial $12.00 LICENSE; Safe N Secure $179.88 MISC SERVICE; Mark Neises $984.00 MOWING; Miner Co Treasurer $168.92 POSTAGE; Lake Co Sheriff $2,700.00 PRISONER CARE; Lewis Drug $17.98, Madison Regional Health Center $256.00 PRISONER MEDICAL; Office Ally $39.95 PROCESSING FEE; Dust-Tex $175.20, Microfilm Imaging Systems $385.00 RENT; Butler Machinery $1,530.44, C&R Supply $415.00, Howard Auto Clinic $875.56, HFCA $135.33, James Valley Landscape $146.00, Office Peeps $65.00 REPAIRS; Commercial Asphalt $22,406.30 ROAD MATERIALS; Kristian Ellendorf $900.00 STATE’S ATTY OFFICE EXPENSE; Butler Machinery $1,878.32, Dakota Data Shred $94.79, Gall’s Inc. $118.72, Home Service Water $51.80, HFCA $4,790.00, Lori Kiehl $33.23, Matheson Tri Gas $328.40, Miner Co Treasurer $147.57, Office Peeps $2,986.74, Tim Reisch $433.33, Rusty’s $253.75, Tami Severson $20.00, Shane’s Hardware $450.22, SD Sheriffs Assn $45.80, Sturdevant’s $1,938.00, Thomson Reuters $920.67, Two Way Solutions $24.98, Wingens Garage $178.95 SUPPLIES; Jessica Charles $30.00, Erin Feldhaus $30.00, Lori Kiehl $30.00, Becki Mommaerts $30.00, Tami Severson $30.00, Molly Steeneck $30.00, Danielle Werkmeister $30.00 TELEPHONE; Joe Bechen $45.51, Elan Financial $927.67, HFCA $74.52, SD Assn of County Officials $200.00 TRAVEL; SD DOL $418.00 UNEMPLOYMENT; City of Howard $3,428.55, Central Electric Coop $145.49, Xcel Energy $9.30 UTILITIES.
Correspondence Received: June Miner County Moisture Report, June Sheriff’s Report, June Veterans’ Service Officer Report.
A quote was received to repair the damaged north door of the courthouse. Commissioners instructed Auditor Mommaerts to pay for the replacement parts necessary for the repair ($2941.84) and to instruct Custodian Kiehl to check on the cost of adding a limiting arm for the door that wasn’t damaged.
Highway Superintendent Krempges reported that all repairs have been made since the flooding event that resulted in a disaster declaration at the last meeting; he has not heard anything back from FEMA yet. Krempges filled the Commissioners in on the tree and curb removal project the school would like done; Commissioners believed the responsibility for cleaning up the stumps should fall on the school, not the county.
Due to the timing and equipment difficulties that would be caused by the highway department performing the work, Krempges suggested hiring out to complete the resealing of the courthouse parking lot and driveways. Krempges received a quote for $5,234.96 from Asphalt Pros to do the work, including restriping the parking lot; he will verify that this quote includes the driveways as well. He also received a quote for the County shop for $1,855.19. Commissioners instructed Krempges to schedule Asphalt Pros do the work, provided the driveways are included in the quotes.
Other highway matters discussed were the work agreement with Kingsbury County, chip sealing, fog sealing, mowing and working on the 5-year plan. Krempges handed the 7-year plan out to the Commissioners.
Treasurer Charles met with the Commission to request a level raise for her deputy, Brittany Yanish. Motion by Bechen, seconded by Reisch and carried to move Yanish from Level 5 to Level 6 ($38,565), effective August 1st.
Motion to go into executive session for legal matters by Clary, seconded by Bechen and carried, pursuant to SDCL 1-25-2 (3) at 10:11am. Returned to regular session at 10:23am. Motion by Clary to go into executive session for personnel matters, seconded by Bechen and carried, pursuant to SDCL 1-25-2 (1) at 10:24am. Returned to regular session at 10:38am.
Ellendorf did research on the pros and cons of the diversion program, which she shared with the Commissioners. She believed there could be some tertiary effects if we take part in the diversion program, as it would take matters away from the court docket, which is already limited currently. Clary made a motion to continue with just the Victim Services and decline to add Diversion Services for 2025, second by Reisch and carried.
Severson reported that taxes have been paid and she would recommend approval of the Elta Zens Estate plat. Motion by Bechen, second by Clary and carried to pass the following resolution:
Resolution 24-20
Be it resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Miner County, South Dakota, that the plat of TRACTS 1, 2 AND 3 OF GASSMAN ADDITION IN THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 28, TOWNSHIP 105 NORTH, RANGE 57 WEST OF THE 5TH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, MINER COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA, as described above and drawn hereon, appears to conform to the system of roads, existing plats, and section lines of Miner County and that adequate provisions have been made for access to adjacent unplatted lands and that all provisions of Miner County Subdivision Regulations have been complied with. Furthermore, all taxes and special assessments upon the Tract or subdivision have been paid and that the plat and the survey thereof have been lawfully executed. Said plat is approved and accepted and the Chairman is hereby instructed to endorse on such plat this resolution and to certify the same.
Voting aye: Protsch, Reisch, Bechen, and Clary. Voting nay: None.
Adopted this 16th day of July, 2024.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Commissioners
Attest: Rebecca Mommaerts, Miner County Auditor
Severson reported that taxes have been paid and she would recommend approval of the Thomas Hauge Estate plat. Motion by Reisch, second by Clary and carried to pass the following resolution:
Resolution 24-21
Be it resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Miner County, South Dakota, that the plat of BEISEL OUTLOT 1, A SUBDIVISION OF THE SW ¼ OF SECTION 12, T 107 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.
Voting aye: Protsch, Reisch, Bechen, and Clary. Voting nay: None.
Dated this 16th day of July, 2024.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Commissioners
Attest: Rebecca Mommaerts, Miner County Auditor
Severson asked Commissioners to consider increasing fees for GIS and Assessment rolls. Other counties are charging higher prices than Miner County currently is. She recommended following Hanson County’s policy to charge $1/parcel for county assessment rolls in PDF, and $5,000 for GIS shapefiles. She also suggested increasing the Treasurer’s office fees for tax rolls. Bechen made a motion, seconded by Clary and carried to increase the fees, before tax, to $1/parcel for a PDF of county assessment rolls, $5,000 for GIS shapefiles, and $350 for tax rolls from the Treasurer.
Further discussion of the 2025 provisional budget took place. Auditor Mommaerts will make changes to the provisional budget, as instructed, prior to publishing.
The meeting adjourned to Monday, August 5th. Dated this 16th day of July, 2024.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Rebecca Mommaerts, Miner County Auditor