City of Big Stone City Council Proceedings
City of Big Stone City Council Proceedings
March 2, 2026
5:30 p.m.
The Big Stone City council met in regular session on Monday, March 2, 2026, meeting began at 5:30 p.m. with Mayor Brown presiding. Roll Call: Redfield, Engorge, Stoddard, Hughes, B. Goergen and Roscoe. Others present: Kelsey Stock, Nancy Lee, Bryan Austin, Redgey Rademacher, Megan Kaye, Kathy Rabe, Geven Rabe, Dewane Stoddard, Teresa Goergen, Marcy Athey and Cealy Eckberg
The Pledge of Allegiance and the South Dakota State Pledge were recited.
Motion to accept the minutes from the February 2, 2026 meeting was made by Hughes and seconded by A. Goergen. All in favor. Motion Carried.
Motion to pay the presented claims was made by Redfield and seconded by Roscoe. Upon roll call Ayes: A. Goergen, Redfield, Stoddard, Roscoe, Hughes and B. Goergen. Nayes: None. Motion Carried.
Advanced Technologies $300.00, Avera Occupational Medicine $109.80, Big Stone Fire Dept $2,179.60, Big Stone Area Hardware $14.69, BNSF Railway $21,908.27, City of Sioux Falls $26.37, Coca-Cola $189.50, City of Big Stone City $5,151.67, Cintas Corporation $651.39, Doll Distribution $9,725.00, Display Sales $189.00, Farner Bocken $1,057.05, Fluegel Anderson McLaughlin $190.00, Grant County Auditor $7,500.00, Grant County Review $60.88, Grant Roberts Rural Water $10,986.20, Harry’s $470.00, Health Pool SD $12,114.60, Helms & Associates $22,500.00, Jim Dandy Foods $99.00, Johnson Brothers $3,766.86, IRS $7,705.37, Mary Hillman $100.00, Michael Morse $500.00, NAPA $392.40, Missouri Basin MPA-TSA $6,489.30, Missouri Basin MPA/S-1 $75.00, Missouri River Energy $21,170.58, Midwest Irrigation $94.51, Ortonville Independent $103.00, Otrey Repair LLC $788.95, Plunkett’s Pest Control $52.88, Pepsi $599.42, Porter Distribution $2,063.65, POS Phase 3 $148.68, Quill $452.67, Postmaster $220.21, Ronglien Excavating $244.80, Republic Beverage $443.00, Southern Glazer’s $1,333.30, SD Dept of Revenue $13,019.38, SD Retirement $3,485.54, Verizon $155.52, Payroll 2/17/26 $5,418.03, $6,145.36, Payroll 3/1/26 $7,239.30, $5,166.48, MacDaddy’s $432.25, Northwestern Energy $187.59, Midco $1,534.06, VISA $1,602.19, Waste Management $4,987.40
Sheriff report for February: Hours worked 106. Calls for service 44. Activity report: Citizen assist, welfare check, multiple vehicle accidents, traffic complaints, traffic stops, suspicious activity investigation, simple, civil issues, medical call, funeral escort and 911 hangups.
Public Comments: None.
Councilmember Roscoe discussed the park donations and was requesting the council to designate a dollar amount from the park budget so she could finalize the ordering of the replacement equipment in order to receive the 50% discount. Hughes made a motion for $36,000 to be used out of the budget for the purchase of the park equipment with Redfield seconded. Upon roll call Ayes: A. Goergen, Roscoe, Redfield, B. Goergen and Hughes. Nayes: Stoddard. Motion Carried.
Roscoe made a motion to approve up to an additional $25,000 from the City for purchase of park equipment designated for 0-5 years of age A. Goergen seconded. Upon roll call Ayes: B. Goergen, A. Goergen and Roscoe. Nayes: Hughes, Stoddard and Redfield. Motion failed.
The electric committee talked about the increase of electrical rates that went into effect on January 1, 2026 from MRES and WAPA. The council reluctantly agreed the City has no choice but to raise the rates. Stoddard made a motion to increase the electrical rates by 8% effective immediately with Hughes seconded. Upon roll call Ayes: B. Goergen, Roscoe, Hughes, A. Goergen, Stoddard and Redfield. Nayes: None. Motion Carried.
Discussion was held on the demand charges per kw that the city has been paying for and not passing those expenses onto the ones that have been using the demand charges. To be consistent without setting a precedence Stoddard made a motion that all commercial accounts be charged the demand charge of $9.58 per KW effective immediately with Hughes seconded. Upon roll call Ayes: Roscoe, Redfield, B. Goergen, Stoddard, A. Goergen and Hughes. Nayes: None. Motion Carried.
Bryan Austin, electric superintendent, requested the council allow him to attend the electrical superintendents conference April 7 & 8, 2026 at Flandreau, SD. As he has been asked to be a speaker at the conference. Hughes made a motion to approve the request with A. Goergen seconded. Upon roll call Ayes: Stoddard, Redfield, A. Goergen, Roscoe, B. Goergen and Hughes. Nayes: None. Motion Carried.
B. Goergen made a motion for Bryan Austin, electrical superintendent, attend the MRES Annual Conference May 6 & 7, 2026 in Sioux Falls, SD with Redfield seconded. Upon roll call Ayes: Roscoe, A. Goergen, Redfield and B. Goergen. Nayes: Stoddard and Hughes. Motion Carried.
Nancy Lee, finance officer, discussed with council the bank accounts the auditor suggested to close and roll into the general fund. In turn this will eliminate the extra expense of auditing these accounts. Roscoe made a motion to close account 0027 and transfer into the general account with A. Goergen seconded. All in favor. Motion Carried.
Hughes made a motion to close account 1439 and transfer into the general account with Stoddard seconded. All in favor. Motion Carried.
Hughes made a motion to close account 5370 and transfer into the general account with Redfield seconded. All in favor. Motion Carried.
SDML District 1 meeting will be held in Webster on Thursday, March 26, 2026. Auditors will be in the office the week of March 9, 2026.
Being no further business Stoddard called to adjourn the meeting at 6:45 p.m. Hughes seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion Carried.
/s/ Steve Brown, Mayor
ATTEST:
/s/ Nancy Lee, Finance Officer
