September 6, 2022
The Miner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on September 6, 2022 in the Miner County Courthouse Commission room. Members present: Alex Protsch, Tom Reisch, Kari Jo Carlson, Kathy Faber and Joe Bechen. Absent: none. The flag pledge was recited. 4-H Youth Advisor Jill Calmus was also present. Motion by Faber, seconded by Bechen and carried to approve the agenda.
The minutes from the August 16th meeting were approved.
The auditor’s account with the county treasurer showed a September 1, 2022 balance of $5,074,358.55 in all state, county, civil, school and trust accounts.
Auditor Connor informed the board of public records requests that have been received by her office. These requests are for 2020 election documents. Connor is currently working with State’s Attorney Ellendorf in response to these requests.
The board acknowledge receipt of the following correspondence: SDML Loss History Report; SD Dept. of Ag & Ntrl Resources Surface Water Quality Standards; ECSD Case List for August; Miner County Sheriff August Report.
Lynn Bren Deputy Director with South Dakota Public Assurance Alliance presented information on services and coverage offered by the SDPAA. Also present was Becky Brunsing, Member Services Representative with SDPAA.
It was moved by Reisch, seconded by Bechen and carried to approve the following claims for payment: Road & Bridge $58,650.15, Wellmark $51,059.19, Delta Dental $1,608.21, Kansas City Life $475.75, Retirement $7,714.62, OASI $10,742.59, Commissioners $4,519.75, Auditor $7,901.50, Treasurer $7,188.75, States Attorney $5,708.75, Govt Building $3,223.40, Director of Equalization $8,577.13, Register of Deeds $6,832.04,
Vet Service $911.00, Tax Deed Property HHCC $700.00, Sheriff $11,560.00, Contract Law $4,305.40, Welfare $667.20, Co Nurse $1,426.50, Ambulance $8,515.45, WIC $97.00, Extension $1,426.50, Weed $1,307.50, Dispatch $12,747.35, Emergency Mgt $2,428.50 AUG PAYROLL; Susan Connor $28.00, Jessica Charles $14.00, Amie Kidd $14.00, Darcy Laible $14.00, Tami Severson $28.00 PAYROLL TRAVEL; Alliance $150.00, Triotel $169.53 911 CHARGES; DeCastro Law Office $10,716.10 ABUSED/NEG CHILD DEFENSE ATTYS; SD DOT $421.96 CONTRACTED MAINTENANCE; Avera Occupational Medicine $145.00 DRUG TESTING; John Deere Financial $85.50 FUEL; Community Counseling Service $14,000.00 GRANTS; Emergency Safety Education $135.00 IN SERVICE EDUCATION; Karen Paige Hunt $101.00 MENTAL ILLNESS HEARING EXPENSE; Todd Spader $297.00 MOWING; Miner Co Treasurer $15.76 POSTAGE; Laramie Co Sheriff $35.00 PROFESSIONAL FEES; Miner County Pioneer $814.25 PUBLISHING; Baete-Forseth HVAC $3,571.44, Dakota Body Shop $392.50, Graham Tire $685.20, J&P Roofing Systems $241.33, John Deere Financial $173.11, Midwest Alarm $275.00, Midwest Solar $1,907.15, OMC Stump Grinding $400.00, Two Way Solutions $20,153.00, Wahltek $2,945.80, Wingen’s Garage $42.88 REPAIRS; Lyle Signs $256.70, Rinker Materials $3,404.80 ROAD MATERIALS; Gall’s $461.85, Innovative Office $5,502.02, John Deere Financial $84.25, Madison Ace Hardware $187.44, Miner Co Treasurer $94.60, Tim Reisch $200.00, Tami Severson $20.00, Ultra $55.63 SUPPLIES; Kristian Ellendorf $900.00 STATE’S ATTY OFFICE EXPENSE ALLOWANCE; Alliance $966.13, AT&T $326.97, Susan Connor $30.00, Lori Kiehl $30.00, Tami Severson $30.00, Verizon $93.19 TELEPHONE; SD Dept of Public Safety $2,340.00 TELETYPE; Tim Reisch $444.88 TRAVEL; City of Howard $4,664.02, Northwestern $16.02, Xcel Energy $9.29 UTILITIES; Ray Genzlinger $250.00 WATCHMAN; Darwin Callies $200.00 REPAIRS.
At 9:30 the Provisional Budget Hearing was held as advertised. Auditor Connor presented the request received last week from The Children’s Care Corner for support in 2023. This request was for $8000. The provisional budget had included a $7000 grant to the CCC. Commissioners instructed the auditor to make no change and leave the grant at $7000.
Jill Calmus presented information on fund raising that has taken place for building a new swine, sheep & goat barn at the 4-H grounds. The pie auction along with additional donations totaled approximately $37,000. Bechen asked if a building could be built to house all animal species and to make it usable by other county departments when not used by 4-H. Calmus stated a building committee meeting will be held soon and those ideas could be explored. The commission would like to see more definite plans, the possibility of more fund raising and extended use of the facility. No change was made to the 2023 budget for this project. Members of the board expressed their support for this project once further information is received.
Final adoption of the 2023 budget will be held on September 20th at 9:30.
Darwin Callies requested reimbursement for fence repair on his property located to the east of the courthouse. This damage occurred when several trees fell on the existing fence during two separate wind storms. It was moved by Carlson, seconded by Faber and carried to authorize the payment of $200 to Callies for the fence repair.
Callies also asked about AFLAC pre-tax deductions. These deductions can only stop during the open enrollment period.
Highway Superintendent Ron Krempges presented the agreement with the State of SD Dept. of Transportation for the bridge replacement of structure number 49-116-070 (project # BRO-B 8049(24), PCN 08N1). This bridge is located in Green Valley Township on 227th St. between sections 1 and 12. It was moved by Faber, seconded by Bechen and carried to authorize Chairman Protsch to enter into the agreement with the State of SD for project # BRO-B 8049(24), PCN 08N1.
Krempges presented amendment for consideration. This amends the previously entered into 2020 Bridge Replacement Funding Agreement #717421. It was moved by Carlson, seconded by Reisch and carried unanimously to authorize Chairman Protsch to approve the amendment to Agreement #717421 from the State of SD.
Fall mowing will begin next week.
The public hearing for the Miner County 5 Year Highway Plan was held as advertised at 10:30 a.m. in the commission room of the Miner County courthouse. Those present for the hearing included: Commissioners Faber, Reisch, Carlson, Bechen and Protsch; Auditor Connor; Carthage Township Officer Michael Clites; Adams Township Officer Steve Jacobson; Lynn Bren and Curt Neises. A map of proposed road projects was provided and reviewed. Krempges addressed concerns for the use of township roads until and during the replacement of the bridge located on 222nd St. west of Carthage. The highway department will monitor the condition of the Carthage township roads affected throughout this proposed project. Jacobson asked for assistance in posting weight limits on several structures in Adams Township. Krempges will work with Jacobson to complete these tasks. Information will be forwarded to First District of Local Govts. for the final plan that will be considered at the October 5th meeting.
Curt Neises from Miner Insurance presented information on claim status for the claims submitted due to the recent wind storms. Neises requested the county not receive new quotes from other insurance companies for insurance coverage that would begin on November 9th due to the outstanding claims associated with these storms.
Discussion as to the length of lease currently being offered for the county’s farm was discussed. Bechen had received a request from a citizen to increase the length of the term to 4 years. Currently the lease is offered for a 1 year term with an option to increase it by two additional years (3 years total). No persons attended to voice their opinions on this matter, so therefore, the board left the lease as is.
No information was received from insurance agent Curt Neises on the fire alarm quote for the Hotel and Convention Center. This matter will be reviewed at the September 20th meeting.
Emergency Manager/Weed Supervisor Kent Terwilliger joined the meeting. It was moved by Reisch, seconded by Carlson and carried to authorize Chairman Protsch to sign the SD Dept of Public Safety 2023 Local Emergency Management Performance Grant agreement. This Federal grant provides 50% of the emergency management director’s salary and benefits. Terwilliger reported that he is in the top 2 within the region for getting paperwork completed and submitted correct. Pictures of the highway 25 tower which is owned by the county has been upgraded and maintained by Terwilliger. It provides communication for the fire departments and other 911 emergencies. The beacon has been updated and repaired. A new repeater for Carthage will be installed in the Alliance Communications building located in Carthage. Alliance will assist with the installation. Fedora will be receiving new hand-held radios for the fire department through a Homeland Security grant. Terwilliger has been working with the Canova cemetery board for assistance in debris removal after the wind storms. He will be assisting them in getting a DUNS number to make the board compliant for receiving financial assistance. Miner County will be doing a full-scale exercise September 22nd. This exercise will involve an evacuation of the nursing home. Nursing home residents will not participate in this exercise. All Miner County first responders will be participating in this event. Terwilliger is working on updating the Miner County Hazardous Materials plan.
Weed department held their annual meeting. The weed board would like to upgrade some of the equipment (side by side). This will be placed into the 2024 budget. Fall spraying will start after it freezes. All weed complaints have been addressed and rectified.
Auditor Connor presented the Safety Benefits Loss Control Survey recommendations. One of those recommendations was to update the Miner County safety manual. The board asked the auditor to request the following employees to serve on the safety manual committee: Rebecca Mommaerts, Cora Schwader, Ron Krempges, Rob Eggert and Tom Reisch. After the committee reviews and develops a safety manual it will be brought to the commission for final review and adoption. The other recommendation included offering to each law enforcement officer at county’s expense a Hepatitis B vaccination. The sheriff’s office will be made aware of this recommendation and ensure this matter is completed.
It was moved by Carlson and seconded by Bechen to adopt the following resolution.
RESOLUTION 22-31
WHEREAS, insufficient appropriation was made in the 2022 budget for the following departments to discharge just obligation of said appropriation; and
WHEREAS, SDCL 7-21-32.2 provides that transfers may be made by resolution of the board from the contingency appropriation established pursuant to SDCL 7-21-6.1 to other appropriations;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the appropriation be transferred from contingency to the following departments: Abused/Neglect Child Defense $25,070; Mentally Ill $8,200.
Voting aye: Bechen, Reisch, Carlson, Faber and Protsch. Voting nay: none. Resolution approved this 6th day of September 2022.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Susan Connor, Miner County Auditor
Auditor Connor informed the board that the county has received the second payment of ARPA funds from the federal government. It was moved by Faber, seconded by Reisch and carried unanimously to approve the transfer from American Rescue Plan Act Fund to General Fund in support of general government services.
The 2022 Agreement for General Law Enforcement Services with the City of Howard was considered. Carlson indicated the error in the contract under TERM. The dates listed were incorrect and should read as follows: This agreement shall take effect on January 1, 2022 and shall continue through December 31, 2022 unless terminated as hereinafter provided. It was moved by Carlson, seconded by Bechen to approve the agreement as corrected. Voting aye: Reisch, Carlson, Faber, Bechen and Protsch. Motion carried.
A quote from Connecting Point for replacement of wireless access equipment was reviewed. Protsch was authorized to sign the quote.
Having no further business, the meeting adjourned until September 20th. Dated this 6th day of September, 2022.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Susan Connor, Miner County Auditor