Grant County Commission Proceedings
Grant County Commission Proceedings
March 26, 2026
The Grant County Commission met in special session at 10 a.m. with Commissioners Hoff, Tostenson and Mach present. Commissioners Street and Stengel were absent. Chairman Mach called the meeting to order. A quorum was present. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Hoff to approve the agenda. Motion carried 3-0. The purpose of the special meeting is to observe (EMF) electromagnetic field readings at various locations in Grant County. Also in attendance were Drainage Officer Berkner, States Attorney Schwandt and Commissioner Assistant Owen.
Present from the public were Mark Leddy, Steven Spors, Nancy Johnson, Steve January, Joel O’Brien, Don Weber, Ryan Magedanz, Austin Hunt, Lance Frogner, John Seffrood, John Fonder, Bert Loehrer, Amy Loehrer, Joel Steltz, Nicholas Fonder, Helaine Fonder and Richard Fonder.
Public Comment: Chairman Mach called for public comment. Steve January and Bert Loehrer had questions and/or comments on the transmission lines.
EMF Readings: Chairman Mach stated the purpose of the meeting is to measure the voltage from transmission lines at several locations in the county. Mach asked Commissioner Hoff, who has 43 years of experience in the electrical field, to measure the different milligauss (mG) strength in the room. Standing in the middle of the room the meter read .4 (mG), next to the light switch it was 1.78 mG. The device Hoff used to measure EMF is a consumer grade GQ Electronics, model number EMF-30. Hoff stated the Commission will go to several locations with different size transmission lines to do electromagnetic field (EMF) meter readings.
The first site location was near Hartman Avenue at the entrance to Farley Park that has a 115KV line. Under the line measured 5.1 to 5.8 mG; 25 feet west of the line measured 1.9 to 2.4 mG; 50 feet west of the line measured .7 to 1.1 mG, and at 78 feet west of the line a 0 reading was observed.
The second site was located south of 479th Avenue and 150th Street with a 69 kV line. Under the line measured .7 to 1.2 mG; 25 feet south of the line measured .3 to .4 mG, and 35 feet south of the line measured 0 mG.
The third and final site visit was to 479th Avenue and 151st Street with a 230 kV line. Under the line measured at 49.0-61.0 mG; 25 feet north of the line measured 37.0-44.0 mG; 50 feet north of the line measured 22.0-24.0 mG; 100 feet north of the line measured 8.5-9.0 mG; 150 feet north of the line measured 2.0-2.5 mG; 200 feet north of the line measured .2-.4 mG, and at 215 feet a reading of 0 was observed. Going south from the intersection of 479th Avenue and 151st Street a constant reading was observed at 49.0 to 53.0 mG. A parallel 230 kV line also runs south in the same direction.
The Commission traveled back to the courthouse Commission room. Chairman Mach explained no action or discussion would be held at this time, and discussion about the special meeting would take place during the April 7th regular meeting.
It is the policy of Grant County, South Dakota, not to discriminate against the handicapped in employment or the provision of service.
The next scheduled meeting dates will be April 7, 14 (Equalization) 21 and May 5, 2026, at 8 a.m. in the basement meeting room. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Hoff to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 3-0. Meeting adjourned at 11:20 a.m.
/s/Michael J. Mach,
Chairman,
Grant County Commissioners
/s/ Kathy Folk,
Grant County Auditor
