January 2, 2024
The Miner County Board of Commissioners held their reorganization meeting January 2, 2024, in the Miner County Courthouse. Members present: Alex Protsch, Tom Reisch, Joe Bechen, Kathy Faber and Mike Clary. Members absent: none. Also present for the meeting was Director of Equalization Tami Severson.
County Auditor Rebecca Mommaerts called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The following took their oath of office for their respective positions: Rebecca Mommaerts, Auditor; Justin Brandsma, Deputy Auditor and Brittany Yanish, Deputy Treasurer. The auditor’s account with the county treasurer showed a December 31, 2023 balance of $5,727,698.36 in all state, county, civil, school and trust accounts.
Auditor Mommaerts called for nominations for Chairman of the Board of Commissioners for 2024. Faber nominated Alex Protsch, seconded by Bechen. Bechen moved that nominations cease, seconded by Faber. All voting in favor. Protsch took his position as Chairman of the Miner County Board of Commissioners.
Chairman Protsch requested nominations for vice-chairman of the Board of Commissioners for 2024. Bechen nominated Reisch, seconded by Faber. All voting in favor. Tom Reisch will serve as the 2024 vice-chairman of the Miner County Board of Commissioners.
It was moved by Reisch, seconded by Clary and carried to approve the agenda. The minutes of the December 28th meeting were approved. Faber reported on the weed board meeting that took place on December 28th. Dan Page was presented a certificate of appreciation for his 25 years of service to the weed board. Board members remain the same. The weed conference will take place in February and needs two attendees. An LEPC meeting followed the board meeting with a tabletop exercise and discussion on obtaining grant money.
No one appeared for Public Comment.
The board acknowledge receipt of the following correspondence: Wildlife Damage Management 2023 Annual Report from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks.
It was moved by Bechen, seconded by Faber and carried to authorize the auditor to pay the following claims: IAAO $240.00, SDAAO $150.00, SDAE4-HP $120.00, SDACO $724.52, SDACC $1,295.00, SD Assn of Co Weed & Pest Boards $200.00, SD Assn of Co Hwy Supt $350.00, SD Assn of Weed Supervisors $75.00, SD Sheriffs Assn $568.94 DUES; Wingen’s Garage $1,678.00 FUEL; CLIA Laboratory Program $180.00 LICENSE FES; Miner County Pioneer $899.90 PUBLISHING; Dust-Tex $66.62 RENT; Dware $4,570.00, Ultra $112.65 REPAIRS; ES&S $4,667.25 REPAIRS; Kristian Ellendorf $900.00 OFFICE EXPENSE ALLOWANCE; City of Carthage $29.45, Tim Reisch $433.33, Dept of Ag & Natural Resources $110.00, Tami Severson $20.00 SUPPLIES; AT&T $53.69, Erin Feldhaus $30.00, Lori Kiehl $30.00, Rebecca Mommaerts $30.00, Tami Severson $30.00, Molly Steeneck $30.00, Verizon Wireless $135.32, Danielle Werkmeister $30.00 TELEPHONE; Dept of Ag & Natural Resources $55.00, SD Assn of Co Weed & Pest Boards $315.00 TRAVEL; First District Assn of Local Govts $9,692.30 URBAN/RURAL DEVELOPMENT; Northwestern Energy $364.91 UTILITIES.
The Miner County Pioneer was designated as official county newspaper; the Miner County Courthouse, Canova Community Hall, and Carthage Community Center as mortgage sale sites; and the Rivers Edge Bank at Howard, American Bank & Trust at Carthage, and the SD Public Funds Investment Trust as official depositories for the county for 2024. It was moved by Faber, seconded by Reisch and carried to approve the following authorized signers on all accounts: Auditor Rebecca Mommaerts, Deputy Auditor Justin Brandsma, Treasurer Jessica Charles and Deputy Treasurer Brittany Yanish.
The following appointments were made: Mike Connor (NE area) and Denise Gassman (SW area) to 3-year terms on the Ambulance Board. Members and the year their term expires are as follows:
Mike Connor (NE area) 1-1-27 Denise Gassman (SW area) 1-1-27
Jody Becker (EMT) 1-1-25 Kari Jo Carlson (SE area) 1-1-25
Gibi Page (NW area) 1-1-25 Jackie Stuhr (City) 1-1-26
Jody Becker (Medical) 1-1-26 Rob Eggert (Law Enforcement) 1-1-26
The following appointments were made: Brandon Jacobson (SE Area) and Wyatt Walter (SW Area) to 3-year terms on the Weed Board. Members and their year their terms expire and area represented are as follows:
Dan Page (NW Area) 1-1-26 Kim Lewis (NE Area) 1-1-26
Brandon Jacobson (SE Area) 1-1-27 Wyatt Walter (SW Area) 1-1-27
The following commissioners' appointments were made for 2024:
Entire board-Zoning (with Kari Jo Carlson as alternate) and Emergency Management Boards
Weed Board-Faber Dispatch Board/Law Enforcement-Protsch &Reisch
Ambulance Board-Faber Farm-Protsch & Bechen
First District Board-Clary Courthouse-Bechen & Protsch
Highway-Bechen & Reisch Juvenile Detention Board-Faber
Legislative Representative-Clary 4-H Promotion & Expansion-Reisch
The following persons serve as weather spotters: Matt Bornitz, Joe Calmus, Mike Clary, Kody Dawson, Nathan Dawson, Evan Donahue, Hunter Eggert, Rob Eggert, Dave Esser, Reginald Faber, Kevin Feldhaus, Mike Genzlinger, Sam Gosmire, David Hattervig, Dick Henn, Mike Hvam, Aaron Jeffrey, Nathan Kizer, Nick Kramer, Ron Krempges, Randy Lager, Lee Lewis, Zack Maznio, Evan Meyer, Tim Nelson, Adam North, Gary Nutter, Dan Page, Gibi Page, Chad Podhradsky, Alex Protsch, Eric Rentschler, Ken Ruml, Nathan Ruml, Brandon Schwader, Tim Sherman, Scott Stangohr, Grant Stevens, Travis Stevens, and Drew Yanish.
The following persons serve as Volunteer Ambulance Attendants: Jody Becker, Cathy Cavigielli and Aaron Jeffrey. Volunteer Ambulance Drivers: Mike Clary, Rob Eggert, Josh Esser, Kevin Feldhaus, Josh Hahn, Amie Kidd, Nathan Kizer, Nick Kramer, Amber Kramer, Ron Krempges, Evan Meyer, Adam North, Nathan Ruml, Scott Stangohr, Garret Werkmeister and Drew Yanish.
The following serve as EOC Volunteers: Teresa Abrahamson, Ashley Callies, Connie Eliason, Wade Erickson, and Rick Olson.
It was moved by Faber and seconded by Clary to approve the following resolution:
RESOLUTION 24-1
WHEREAS, SDCL 12-15-11 provides that the Board of Commissioners shall by annual resolution at the first regular commission meeting establish the rate of compensation to be paid the judges and clerks of a necessary election;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the rate of compensation for judges and clerks for any county-wide election in 2024 be established at $250.00 for a general election, $250.00 for a primary or special election, on call election board workers $75, election school attendants $30 and resolution board workers $100. Post Election Audit Board members shall be paid $25.00 per hour for each hour required plus the county mileage rate per mile for miles necessarily traveled, any necessary meal costs and any other costs established in SD Administrative Rule 05:02:23:15.
Voting aye: Clary, Faber, Bechen, Reisch, and Protsch. Nay: none. Resolution approved this 2nd day of January, 2024.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Rebecca Mommaerts, Miner County Auditor
It was moved by Faber and seconded by Reisch to pass the following resolution:
RESOLUTION 24-2
WHEREAS, SDCL 7-7-25 states that the Board of County Commissioners, by resolution, may authorize county officials to attend educational conferences, meetings, and conventions held and conducted within the state of South Dakota pertaining to the betterment and advancement of county government;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the county commissioners, highway superintendent, auditor, treasurer, register of deeds, state's attorney, sheriff, assessing officer, coroner, and veterans service officer be authorized to attend conferences, meetings, and conventions (within SD) called for the purpose set forth in SDCL 7-7-25 and that the mileage and necessary expenses to attend such be allowed. This resolution shall be in force for fiscal year 2024.
Voting aye: Clary, Faber, Bechen, Reisch, and Protsch. Nay: none. Resolution approved this 2nd day of January, 2024.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Rebecca Mommaerts, Miner County Auditor
It was moved by Faber and seconded by Bechen to pass the following resolution:
RESOLUTION 24-3
2024 SALARY RESOLUTION
BE IT RESOLVED that the following wage scale for Miner County employees be in effect for fiscal year 2024 (annual salary unless otherwise specified).
Commissioners-Chairman $11,964
Vice-chairman 11,427
Commissioners 10,824
Appointed boards 25.00/ meeting
Auditor, Rebecca Mommaerts 54,444
Treasurer Jessica Charles 54,444
Register of Deeds Karla Neises, 57,123
Director of Equalization Tami Severson 54,444
State's Attorney Kristian Ellendorf 51,036
Deputy State’s Attorney Greg Protsch 21,642
Sheriff Robert Eggert 59,541
Chief Deputy Sheriff Josh Hahn 47,544
Deputy Sheriff Garrett Werkmeister 44,538
Part-time law enforcement 21.07/hr.
Guards- , 19.66/hr.
Highway Safety Grant Hours 24.30/hr.
Director of 911 & Dispatch Services Cora Schwader 49,524
plus a $1.00 per hour bonus for providing dispatcher training
Dispatchers/Permanent PT Clerical:
Level 1- Katie Leary 20.29/hr.
Level 2- Kelly Sherman, Amanda Austerman 20.73/hr.
Level 3- Jennifer Hahn, Shannon Hoffman 21.17/hr.
Level 4- 21.61/hr.
Level 5- Deborah Gibson 22.05/hr.
Level 6- Jennifer Bolden, Joni Jacobson 22.49/hr.
Level 7- 22.93/hr.
Level 8- Randall Schwader 23.37/hr.
Level 9- 23.81/hr.
Level 10- 24.25/hr.
plus a $1.00 per hour bonus for providing dispatcher training
Full-time clerical (salaried):
Level 1- Justin Brandsma 36,474
Level 2- 36,891
Level 3- 37,365
Level 4- 37,767
Level 5- Brittany Yanish 38,166
Level 6- 38,565
Level 7- 38,967
Level 8- 39,366
Level 9- Amie Kidd, Darcy Laible 39,768
Level 10- 40,167
2024 SALARY CHANGES CONTINUED
Full-time clerical (hourly):
Level 1- 20.04/hr.
Level 2- 20.27/hr.
Level 3- 20.53/hr.
Level 4- 20.75/hr.
Level 5- 20.97/hr.
Level 6- 21.19/hr.
Level 7- 21.41/hr.
Level 8- 21.63/hr.
Level 9- Gibi Page 21.85/hr.
Level 10- 22.07/hr.
Temporary clerical 19.29/hr.
Custodian-Lori Kiehl 21.04/hr.
Emergency Management Director-Kent Terwilliger 30,900
Veterans Service Officer-Tim Reisch 7,107
Ambulance Manager-Cora Schwader 11,355
Welfare Director-Gibi Page 22.15/hr.
Ambulance EMT-
Molly Steeneck, Erin Feldhaus, Danielle Werkmeister 31,479
Ambulance Volunteers
Weekday-12 hr shift $48
Weekend-12 hr shift $78
Holiday-24 hr shift $100
3rd Attendant/Driver $30/run
Weed Supervisor-Kent Terwilliger 16,638
Highway Department:
Superintendent-Ron Krempges 67,026
Level 10-Terry Carlson 22.07/hr.
Level 9- 21.85/hr.
Level 8- Donald Eppe, Jeremy Beyer 21.63/hr.
Level 7- Eric Smith 21.13/hr.
Level 6- Adam Mentele 20.71/hr.
Level 5- Brian Dold 20.50/hr.
Level 4- 20.27/hr.
Level 3- Terry Burger 20.05/hr.
Level 2- Mike Umstead 19.83/hr.
Level 1- 19.04/hr.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that longevity pay based on $25.00 per year of employment be paid in November for 2024.
Voting aye: Clary, Faber, Bechen, Reisch, and Protsch. Nay: none. Resolution approved this 2nd day of January, 2024.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Rebecca Mommaerts, Miner County Auditor
It was moved by Clary, seconded by Reisch and carried to set the 2024 holidays as follows: All County offices (excluding 911 call center employees) New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday (12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.), Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Native American Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve (12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.), Christmas Day; 911 call center employees (all shifts unless otherwise noted) New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday (5 PM to 1 AM), Easter, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Native American Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve (5 PM-1AM shift), Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve (5 PM-1 AM shift).
It was moved by Faber, seconded by Clary and carried to approve the following rates charged for dispatching and 911 services:
Canova $ 1,650
Carthage $ 1,650
Howard City $42,100
Howard School District $ 8,200
Fedora Fire Dept. $ 550
Sanborn Contract $27,350 + $10,000
It was moved by Bechen, seconded by Clary and carried to approve the following clothing allowances: law enforcement $250/yr./employee for law enforcement clothing; and highway workers $250/yr./employee for high-visibility clothing.
Miner County Ambulance 2024 rates: $650 plus $18.00/mile.
Copy charges were set at black copies .25 and color copies .50.
Highway Superintendent Ron Krempges reported on highway matters. Krempges reported on recent repairs to the Mack truck and other future truck repairs. Krempges purchased a tablet to do culvert inventory, after the last one was damaged and too spendy to repair. The water heater in the office quit, and Dan Kuhle was able to find a replacement. The office furnace starting acting up about a week later. S&S quoted $3000 to install a new one and could do it this week; the commissioners approved this repair. Krempges received a quote from Subsurface Inc. off the Union County bid for UV cured-in-place culvert lining for $88,355 to repair 11 culverts. Reisch made a motion, seconded by Faber and passed unanimously to authorize Krempges to sign the contract with Subsurface Inc. off the Union County bid for $88,355.00.
Krempges informed the board that the 2017 motor grader blade warranty expires in March. Butler will inspect the machine and quote a price to extend the warranty for Krempges to bring back to the board. Krempges does not have it in the budget to purchase a new motor grader until 2025. Bid openings for highway supply bids will be on March 5th. The highway employees quit hauling gravel right before Christmas and have been doing sign work, working in the shop, and will probably start hauling chips soon.
Treasurer Jessica Charles presented, as required by SDCL 10-22-31, a list of delinquent mobile homes and buildings on leased site. She will now proceed with statute requirements for collection.
Director of Equalization Tami Severson presented the following plat for Robert Calmus Living Trust for commissioner consideration, stating that taxes have been paid and zoning requirements are met. It was moved by Bechen and seconded by Faber, and passed unanimously, to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION 24-4
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of County Commissioners of Miner County, South Dakota, that the plat of LOT 1 OF CALMUS ADDITION IN THE SW ¼ OF SECTION 23, T 106 N, R 57 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 the Resolution and certify the same.
Voting aye: Clary, Faber, Bechen, Reisch, and Protsch. Voting nay: none. Resolution adopted this 2nd day of January, 2024.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Rebecca Mommaerts, Miner County Auditor
Treasurer Charles made a request to increase Deputy Treasurer Brittany Yanish to Level 6. Commissioners asked she return around Yanish’s employment anniversary to make this request.
Brittany Yanish made a funding request for the annual Festival of Trees at the courthouse. Courthouse Christmas decorations, such as door swags and decorations for the county tree, used to be funded by the proceeds from the pop machine in the building, but since the machine was removed, there is no longer that revenue to rely on. Yanish requested to use $250 of courthouse building funds to replace door swags and buy decorations for next year’s theme, which will be “Toys.” Reisch made a motion to approve spending up to $250 from the courthouse building budget for the Festival of Trees for 2024, seconded by Faber and unanimously approved.
Custodian Lori Kiehl gave an update on the heating & cooling system in the courthouse since Trane’s last adjustment. Kiehl recommended signing the 2024 contract with DDC. Bechen made a motion to authorize Protsch to sign the 2024 Building Automation System Support Agreement with Direct Digital Control (DDC), seconded by Faber and carried.
There was continued discussion on Hearts & Hammers of South Dakota. Due to having an already tightened budget for 2024 and community housing support already given through donations to Interlakes Community Action, the Commissioners would like Hearts & Hammers to make their donation request at budget time for 2025. They will monitor the work of Hearts & Hammers in SD in the meantime.
Mommaerts is waiting to hear back from State’s Attorney Ellendorf regarding the Naloxone Policy.
Weed Supervisor Kent Terwilliger joined the meeting to request one of the commissioners to attend the weed conference in Spearfish in February with him. None of the weed board members can attend, and if there are not two attendees from the county, the county loses half the grant money. Clary will plan on attending along with Terwilliger.
Motion to adjourn by Bechen, seconded by Clary. The meeting adjourned to January 16th. Dated this 2nd day of January, 2024.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Rebecca Mommaerts, Miner County Auditor