January 4, 2022
The Miner County Board of Commissioners held their reorganization meeting January 4, 2022, in the Miner County Courthouse. Members present: Alex Protsch, Garrett Gassman, Tom Reisch, Kathy Faber and Joe Bechen. Members absent: none. Also, present included Jessica Charles, Tami Severson and Rob Eggert.
County Auditor Susan Connor called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Motion by Protsch, seconded by Faber and carried to approve the agenda.
The auditor’s account with the county treasurer showed a December 31, 2022 balance of $5,372,125.28 in all state, county, civil, school and trust accounts.
Auditor Connor called for nominations for chairman of the Board of Commissioners for 2022. Faber nominated Alex Protsch. Bechen moved that nomination cease. Seconded by Faber. All voting in favor. Protsch took the chair.
Protsch requested nominations for vice-chairman of the Board of Commissioners for 2022. Reisch nominated Gassman as vice-chair. Gassman declined the nomination. Gassman nominated Reisch. Seconded by Faber. All voting in favor. Tom Reisch will serve as the 2022 vice-chairman of the Miner County Board of Commissioners.
Tami Severson informed those present that long time Director of Equalization clerk, Cindy Foster passed away on Monday. Services are pending and will be held in Mitchell. According to the personnel policy any employee who wishes to attend services held on a work day may take 2 hours of sick leave and may close their office. Due to services being held in Mitchell, it was moved by Faber, seconded by Reisch and carried unanimously to increase the number of hours of sick leave and closure of offices to 4 hours and to authorize Severson to purchase a memorial from Miner County.
No other persons appeared for public comment.
The board acknowledged receipt of the following correspondence: Miner County Sheriff December report.
It was moved by Gassman, seconded by Faber and carried to authorize the auditor to pay the following claims: CLIA Program $180.00 CERTIFICATE FEE; IAAO $225.00, SDACO $692.16, SDAE4-HP $80.00, SDACC $845.00, SD Assn of Weed & Pest Boards $50.00, SDACHS $350.00, SD Sheriff’s Assn $571.67 DUES; Karl Chevrolet $37,255.50 EQUIPMENT; Miner County Pioneer $358.33 PUBLISHING; Barry Callies $1,378.43 RENT; Graham Tire Co $652.20, Karl Emergency Vehicles $19,332.09, Ultra $1,202.25 REPAIRS; Kristian Ellendorf $900.00 STATE’S ATTY OFFICE EXP ALLOWANCE; Relx Inc. $149.00 SUBSCRIPTION; Tami Severson $20.00, Ultra $411.30 SUPPLIES; Alliance $815.47, Colleen Arens $30.00, Susan Connor $30.00, Tami Severson $30.00 TELEPHONE; City of Howard $2,579.01 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 River’s Edge Bank at Howard, River’s Edge Bank at Canova, American Bank & Trust at Carthage, and the SD Public Funds Investment Trust as official depositories for the county for 2022. Authorized signers on all accounts: Auditor Susan Connor, Deputy Auditor Rebecca Mommaerts, Treasurer Jessica Charles and Deputy Treasurer Kathleen Weidler.
The following appointments were made: Jody Becker (EMT), Kari Jo Carlson (SE area) and Gibi Page (NW area) to 3-year terms on the Ambulance Board. Members and the year their term expires are as follows:
Jerry Johnson (City) 1-1-23 Jody Becker (Medical) 1-1-23
Lanny Klinkhammer (Law Enforcement) 1-1-23 Mike Connor (NE area) 1-1-24
Denise Gassman (SW area) 1-1-24 Jody Becker (EMT) 1-1-25
Kari Jo Carlson (SE area) 1-1-25 Gibi Page (NW area) 1-1-25
Weed board members and their year their terms expire and area represented are as follows:
Dan Page (NW Area) 1-1-23 Kim Lewis (NE Area) 1-1-23
Brandon Jacobson (SE Area) 1-1-24 Wyatt Walter (SW Area) 1-1-24
The following commissioners' appointments were made for 2022:
Entire board-Zoning, and Emergency Management Boards
Weed Board-Faber Dispatch Board/Law Enforcement-Protsch &Reisch
Ambulance Board-Faber Farm-Protsch & Bechen
First District Board-Gassman Courthouse-Bechen & Protsch
Highway-Bechen & Reisch Juvenile Detention Board-Faber
Legislative Representative-Protsch
The following persons serve as weather spotters: Mike Clary, Kody Dawson, Hunter Eggert, Rob Eggert, Josh Esser, Kevin Feldhaus, Aaron Jeffries, Nathan Kizer, Nick Kramer, Ron Krempges, Evan Meyer, Adam North, Chad Podhradsky, Alex Protsch, Eric Rentschler, Ken Ruml, Nathan Ruml, Brandon Schwader, Tim Sherman, Scott Stanghor, Evan Donahue, Nathan Dawson, Drew Yanish, Joe Calmus, Dave Esser, Mike Genzlinger, Sam Gosmire, Matt Bornitz, Reginald Faber, David Hattervig, Dick Henn, Randy Lager, Zack Maznio, Tim Nelson, Grant Stevens, Travis Stevens, Mike Hvam, Lee Lewis, Gary Nutter, Dan Page, Gibi Page.
The following persons serve as Volunteer Ambulance Attendants: Jody Becker, Ashley Callies, Cathy Cavigielli, Aaron Jeffrey, Amber Kramer. Ambulance drivers: Mike Clary, Hunter Eggert, Rob Eggert, Josh Esser, Kevin Feldhaus, Josh Hahn, Amie Kidd, Nathan Kizer, Nick Kramer, Ron Krempges, Evan Meyer, Adam North, Chad Podhradsky, Alex Protsch, Eric Rentschler, Nathan Ruml, Brandon Schwader, Tim Sherman, Scott Stanghor and Drew Yanish.
The following serve as EOC Volunteers: Wade Erickson, Connie Eliason, Ashley Callies, Rick Olson, Teresa Abrahamson.
It was moved by Reisch and seconded by Faber to approve the following resolution.
RESOLUTION 22-1
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 2022 be established at $200.00 for a general election, $200.00 for a primary or special election, on call election board workers $50, for attendance of election schools $30 and resolution board workers $75.
Voting aye: Gassman, Bechen, Reisch, Faber and Protsch. Nay: none.
Resolution approved this 4th day of January, 2022.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Susan Connor, Miner County Auditor
It was moved by Gassman and seconded by Bechen to pass the following resolution.
RESOLUTION 22-2
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 2022.
Voting aye: Bechen, Gassman, Reisch, Faber and Protsch. Nay: none.
Resolution approved this 4th day of January, 2022.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Susan Connor, Miner County Auditor
It was moved by Faber and seconded by Reisch to pass the following resolution.
RESOLUTION 22-3
2022 SALARY RESOLUTION
BE IT RESOLVED that the following wage scale for Miner County employees be in effect for fiscal year 2022 (annual salary unless otherwise specified).
Commissioners-Chairman $11,616
Vice-chairman 11,093
Commissioners 10,508
Appointed boards 25.00/ meeting
Auditor, Susan Connor 54,315
Treasurer Jessica Charles 49,737
Register of Deeds Karla Neises, 52,416
Director of Equalization Tami Severson 49,737
State's Attorney Kristian Ellendorf 46,104
Deputy State’s Attorney Greg Protsch 20,400
Sheriff Robert Eggert 54,834
Chief Deputy Sheriff Josh Hahn 43,836
Deputy Sheriff Garrett Werkmeister 40,833
Part-time law enforcement 19.77/hr.
Director of 911 & Dispatch Services Cora Schwader 44,811
plus a $1.00 per hour bonus for providing dispatcher training
Guards- , 18.36/hr.
Dispatchers:
Level 1- Shannon Hoffman 17.99/hr.
Level 2- Jennifer Miller 18.22/hr.
Level 3-Sandra Roy 18.48/hr.
Level 4-Deborah Gibson 18.70/hr.
Level 5- Jennifer Bolden, Stacey McCoy, Joni Jacobson 18.92/hr.
Level 6- 19.14/hr.
Level 7- Randall Schwader 19.36/hr.
Level 8- 19.58/hr.
plus a $1.00 per hour bonus for providing dispatcher training
Full-time clerical:
Level 1- 32,742
Level 2- Kathy Weidler 33,162
Level 3- 33,636
Level 4- Brittany Yanish 34,035
Level 5- 34,434
Level 6- 34,836
Level 7- Amie Kidd 35,235
Level 8- Rebecca Mommaerts, Darcy Albert 35,637
2022 SALARY RESOLUTION CONTINUED
Part-time clerical:
Level 1- 17.99/hr.
Level 2- 18.22/hr.
Level 3- 18.48/hr.
Level 4- 18.70/hr.
Level 5- 18.92/hr.
Level 6- 19.14/hr.
Level 7- 19.36/hr.
Level 8- Gibi Page 19.58/hr.
Temporary clerical 17.99/hr.
Custodian-Colleen Arens 18.35/hr.
Emergency Management Director-Kent Terwilliger 27,840
Veterans Service Officer-Tim Reisch 10,932
Ambulance Manager-Cora Schwader 10,701
Welfare Director-Gibi Page 20.10/hr.
Ambulance EMT-
Molly Steeneck, Erin Feldhaus 29,670
Danielle Werkmeister 27,300
Ambulance Volunteers
Weekday-12 hr shift $48
Weekend-12 hr shift $78
Holiday-24 hr shift $100
3rd Attendant/Driver $20/run
Weed Supervisor-Kent Terwilliger 14,991
Highway Department:
Superintendent-Ron Krempges 61,722
Level 8- Terry Carlson, Darwin Callies 19.58hr.
Level 7- Donald Eppe, Jeremy Beyer 19.08/hr.
Level 6- Eric Smith 18.66/hr.
Level 5- Adam Mentele 18.45/hr.
Level 4- 18.22/hr.
Level 3- Brian Dold 18.00/hr.
Level 2- 17.78/hr.
Level 1-Nick Davids 16.99/hr.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that longevity pay based on $25.00 per year of employment be paid in November for 2022.
Voting aye: Bechen, Gassman, Reisch, Faber and Protsch. Nay: none.
Resolution approved this 4th day of January, 2022.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Susan Connor, Miner County Auditor
It was moved by Faber, seconded by Gassman and carried to set the 2022 holidays as follows: All County offices (excluding 911 call center employees) New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, Good Friday (1 p.m. to 5 p.m.), Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Native American Day, Veterans’ Day, Thanksgiving, Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day; 911 call center employees all shifts unless otherwise noted New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, Good Friday (5 PM to 1 PM), 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 Reisch, seconded by Gassman and carried to approve the rates charged for dispatching and 911 services which were used to prepare the 2022 budget.
It was moved by Faber, seconded by Bechen and carried to approve the following clothing allowances: law enforcement $250/yr/employee for law enforcement clothing and highway workers $250/yr./employee for highly visibility clothing.
It was moved by Faber, seconded by Gassman and carried to appoint Tim Reisch to serve a 4-year term (term ending on 12/31/25) as the Miner County Veteran’s Services Officer.
Commissioners considered the updated Emergency Management Mutual Aid Agreement. The agreement has been amended to add Aurora County to the list of counties included in the agreement. Motion by Gassman, seconded by Faber and carried to approve the amended Mutual Aid Agreement.
It was moved by Reisch, seconded by Gassman and carried to authorize the Chairman to sign the 2022 Minnehaha Juvenile Detention Agreement.
It was moved by Gassman, seconded by Faber and carried to approve the 2022 Davison County Jail contract for prisoner housing.
The board reviewed issues with the Howard Hotel & Convention Center. Due to the complicated heating and cooling system, natural gas services, electrical & water systems the board appointed Tami Severson to oversee the management property for the county. Severson managed these systems when she was employed with the Rural Learning Center and for Miner County Bank when they were in control of the facility. It was moved by Bechen, seconded by Reisch and carried unanimously to compensate Severson as follows: $1000 for January and $700/month thereafter.
It was moved by Faber, seconded by Gassman and carried to approve the snow removal agreement with James Valley Landscape Solutions for the hotel property. Snow removal will be done on sidewalks only.
Highway Superintendent Ron Krempges reported on the highway supplies bid opening date of March 1st, bridge replacements, CDL training requirements, the need for replacement of the sander truck and other highway matters.
Sheriff Eggert explained an issue with the motions that were adopted at the December 21st meeting:
It was moved by Bechen, seconded by Faber and carried to declare the Glock 9mm as surplus and transfer ownership to Mike Clary. Motion by Gassman, seconded by Faber and carried to accept Clary’s purchase of a replacement gun of equal or greater value and transfer ownership to the county. Clary is not able to purchase the gun through the vendor. Eggert requested that the county purchase the gun and have Clary pay the same price plus shipping for the Glock 9mm that was declared surplus. It was moved by Gassman, seconded by Faber and carried unanimously to rescind the two above underlined motions. It was moved by Gassman, seconded by Faber and carried unanimously to declare the Glock 9mm as surplus and transfer ownership to Mike Clary upon payment for the total purchase price and shipping for a replacement new gun.
Having no further business, the meeting adjourned until January 18th. Dated this 4th day of January, 2022.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Susan Connor, Miner County Auditor