Grant County Commission Proceedings
Grant County Commission Proceedings
May 19, 2026
The Grant County Commission met at 8 a.m. with Commissioners Street, Mach, Stengel, Tostenson and Hoff present. Chairman Mach called the meeting to order. Commissioner Stengel asked to add the statement he made during the transmission line discussion to the May 5th minutes. (Stengel would like the Planning & Zoning Board to research North Dakota’s current setbacks and bring back to the Commission their suggestions for Grant County setbacks for the proposed transmission lines. Stengel said PUC will have the final say in the matter). Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to approve May 5, 2026, minutes with the additions stated. Motion carried 5-0. Auditor Folk asked to add three claims for approval. Commissioner Assistant Owen asked to add the initial conference for the 2025 audit to the agenda and remove the Sharp calculator EL2630PII from the list to be surplused. Motion by Stengel and seconded by Hoff to approve the agenda with the additions and corrections stated. Motion carried 5-0.
Present from the public were Annie O’Brien, Bert Loehrer, Jerry Bury, Austin Hunt, Tim Rogers, Lucas Bade, Kasie Ingrahm, Corey Johnson and Adam Hudson. Staff members present were Commissioner Assistant Owen, Drainage Officer Berkner, States Attorney Schwandt, Hwy Supt Peterson, Sheriff Steffensen and Deputy Auditor Carrino.
Public Comment: Chairman Mach called for public comment three times. Austin Hunt said he had reached out to the people in Indiana living next to their transmission lines and gave their accounts of the effects of the lines. Bert Loehrer stated there will be loss of value to properties near the transmission lines. Chairman Mach closed the public comment.
The Auditor’s Account with the Treasurer for April was noted.
AUDITOR’S ACCOUNT WITH THE COUNTY TREASURER
To the Honorable Board of County Commissioners, Grant County:
I hereby submit the following report of my examination of the cash and cash items in the hands of the County Treasurer of the County of Grant as of the last day of April 2026.
Cash on Hand, $7,375.13
Checks in Treasurer’s possession less than three days, $405,822.50
Cash Items, $0.00
TOTAL CASH ASSETS ON HAND
$413,197.63
RECONCILED CHECKING
First Bank & Trust, $601,833.36; Interest, $0.00; Credit Card Transactions, $3,621.98; First Bank & Trust (Svgs), $13,392,342.95; Jail Bond, $790,133.04.
CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT
First Bank & Trust, $0.00; First Bank & Trust (TIF), $0.00.
TOTAL CASH ASSETS
$15,201,128.96
GENERAL LEDGER CASH
BALANCES:
General, $3,621,578.36; General restricted cash, $2,669,000.00; Cash Accounts for Offices General Fund, $656.00; Sp. Revenue, $1,407,126.29; Sp. Revenue restricted cash, $0.00; Ambulance District, $49,543.14; Henze Road District, $5,392.00; Temporary Offage, $2,285.41; TIF Rosewood Mil-3, $0.00; TIF Koch, $0.00; Special Assessment Land Rent, $0.00; Trust & Agency, $7,445,547.76; (schools 5,014,917.73, twps 545,907.56, city/town 551,186.59).
TOTAL GENERAL LEDGER CASH
$15,201,128.96
Dated the 11th day of May, 2026
Kathy Folk
County Auditor
The Register of Deeds fees for the month of April were $13,434.75. The Clerk of Courts fees for the month of April were $13,428.11. The Sheriff fees for the month of April were $18,220.36 with $4,738.64 received into the General Fund. Statistics for the month of January 2026 for the Sheriff’s office were presented by report. Average Daily inmate population 1.25; Number of bookings 12; Work release money collected $380.00; 24/7 Preliminary Breath Test (PBT) fees collected $172.00; SCRAM (alcohol detecting bracelet) fees collected $168.00; 24/7 PBT participants 1; SCRAM (Sobriety Program) participants 1; UA participants 4; Calls for Service (does not include walk-in traffic) 176; Accidents investigated 4; Civil papers served 50; Cumulative miles traveled 12,490; 911 calls responded to (including Milbank) 124. Statistics for the month of February 2026 for the Sheriff’s office were presented by report. Average Daily inmate population 1.60; Number of bookings 9; Work release money collected $300.00; 24/7 Preliminary Breath Test (PBT) fees collected $300.00; SCRAM (alcohol detecting bracelet) fees collected $168.00; 24/7 PBT participants 1; SCRAM (Sobriety Program) participants 1; UA participants 1; Calls for Service (does not include walk-in traffic) 209; Accidents investigated 5; Civil papers served 43; Cumulative miles traveled 12,240; 911 calls responded to (including Milbank) 41. Statistics for the month of March 2026 for the Sheriff’s office were presented by report. Average Daily inmate population 1.38; Number of bookings 4; Work release money collected $0.00; 24/7 Preliminary Breath Test (PBT) fees collected $129.00; SCRAM (alcohol detecting bracelet) fees collected $210.00; 24/7 PBT participants 2; SCRAM (Sobriety Program) participants 1; UA participants 1; Calls for Service (does not include walk-in traffic) 209; Accidents investigated 4; Civil papers served 52; Cumulative miles traveled 13,389; 911 calls responded to (including Milbank) 104. Statistics for the month of April 2026 for the Sheriff’s office were presented by report. Average Daily inmate population 1.33; Number of bookings 11; Work release money collected $0.00; 24/7 Preliminary Breath Test (PBT) fees collected $282.00; SCRAM (alcohol detecting bracelet) fees collected $1.00; 24/7 PBT participants 3; SCRAM (Sobriety Program) participants 1; UA participants 1; Calls for Service (does not include walk-in traffic) 216; Accidents investigated 6; Civil papers served 72; Cumulative miles traveled 17,425; 911 calls responded to (including Milbank) 94.
HWY: Approach Easement: Supt Peterson asked for an approach easement next to the county pit. The adjoining landowner would like to use the approach as well. Motion by Stengel and seconded by Street to have States Attorney Schwandt prepare an easement for that approach. Motion carried 5-0. Culvert Project Bids: The bids for box culvert projects 26-277-230 and 26-310-149 were opened on May 12. Two bids were received as follows: Lehtola Builders, Lake Norden, SD: $1,107,791.52; BX Civil & Construction, Dell Rapids, SD: $1,084,135.50. Motion by Street and seconded by Tostenson to approve the lowest bid from BX Civil & Construction for $1,084,135.50. Chairman Mach called for the vote. Motion carried 5-0. Banner Contracts: Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to approve the contract with Banner Associates for Box Culvert Project 26-277-230 construction phase services. The SDDOT will reimburse the county for 80% of the construction costs. Motion carried 5-0. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Street to approve the contract with Banner Associates for Box Culvert Project 26-310-149 construction phase services. The SDDOT will reimburse the county for 80% of the construction costs. Motion carried 5-0.
Sheriff: Body camera contract: Sheriff Steffensen presented a contract for seven new body cameras for $10,595.08 from Motorola Solutions. Steffensen said several of their current cameras no longer work. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to approve the body camera contract from Motorola Solutions for $10,595.08. Motion carried 5-0. Deuel County Jail Contract: States Attorney Schwandt presented a revised jail contract for Deuel County to house inmates in the new jail. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Hoff to approve the jail contract with Deuel County. Motion carried 5-0. New Hire: Sheriff Steffensen asked for approval to hire Derek Weinkauf as Deputy Sheriff. Weinkauf will have to be sent to the training academy for three months. He will begin riding along with other deputies. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to approve hiring Derek Weinkauf as Deputy Sheriff at $22.95 per hour effective 5-26-2026. Chairman Mach called for the vote. Motion carried 5-0.
Travel: Commissioner Assistant Owen requested travel approval for VSO Scott Malimanek to attend the annual conference in Sioux Falls and Jail Administrator Mike Burns to attend the National Corrections training in Omaha, NE. Motion by Stengel and seconded by Hoff to approve the travel requests. Motion carried 5-0.
County Assistance: None
Unfinished Business: States Attorney Schwandt explained the difference between an initiated measure and a referendum. Schwandt also clarified that the cameras in the 4-H Complex will not violate HIPPA rules since it is a general camera view and no one will view it unless necessary.
New Business: None
GA Johnson Construction: Corey Johnson and Adam Hudson of GA Johnson Construction met with the Commission to give an update on the jail project. Johnson said the lights were ordered incorrectly and will be here at the end of June. The evidence lockers are backordered and will be here the end of July. HMN Architects will be here July 7 to complete the punch list. Change Order #7: Commissioner Assistant Owen presented a change order bid from GA Johnson Construction of $14,815 to remove and install the radio equipment from the current jail to the new jail. This cost was not included in the original bids. The Commission discussed where in the 2026 budget the money would come from. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Hoff to approve using funds in the Government Building Contracted Projects - Other account for the removing and installing the sheriff’s radio equipment. Chairman Mach called for the vote. Motion carried 5-0.
Engagement Conference: SD Dept of Legislative Audit State Auditor Kasie Ingraham is conducting the 2025 annual audit of the financial records and gave her preliminary findings. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to approve Chairman Mach to sign the Dept of Legislative Audit engagement letter. Motion carried 5-0.
Correspondence: Commissioner Assistant Owen discussed and handed out several letters he received for the Commissioners.
Claims: Motion by Street and seconded by Hoff to approve the claims with the three additional for $139,929.59. Motion carried 5-0. AGTEGRA, diesel & ethanol 11,895.79; AL’S BODY SHOP, repair & maint 60.00; AUSTIN, STRAIT, BENSON, THOLE & KOEHN, court appt atty 1,171.20; BANNER ASSOCIATES, contracted proj 14,741.00; BERENS MARKET, inmate groceries 207.20; BUTLER, parts 1,810.79; CENGAGE LEARNING, books 21.44; CHS, diesel & ethanol 10,121.89; CITY OF MILBANK, rubbish 10.00; CLEAR CHOICE CLEANING, prof services 4,500.00; COLEPAPERS, supplies 905.20; CONSOLIDATED READY MIX, gravel 7,341.28; CRAIG DEBOER, car wash card 199.61; DAKOTA FLUID POWER, repair & maint 1,970.02; DAY COUNTY SHERIFF, inmate housing 2,500.00; DELANEY, NIELSEN & SANNES, court appt atty 511.21; DUANE V. TILLMAN, prof services 3,000.00; ELECTION SYSTEMS & SOFTWARE, supplies 3,768.47; FIRST BANK & TRUST/VISA, parts, supplies, hotel, postage, bike rack, gas, registrations 2,539.16; FLAT RATE, gravel 9,901.09; FOELL PC, health services 100.00; FOOD & FUEL, inmate meals 182.00; FREMAREK, supplies 1,083.24; GRANT COUNTY REVIEW, publishing 1,823.14; HMN ARCHITECTS, prof services 5,650.38; INGRAM, books 1,192.92; INNOVATIVE BENEFIT CONSULTANTS, insurance 583.00; INTER-LAKES COMMUNITY ACTION, service worker 2,333.33; ITC, phone & internet 2,092.07; JASON S. LIEBE, prof services 1,300.00; JASON SACKREITER, garbage services 535.00; KIBBLE EQUIPMENT, repair & maint 229.42; LEWIS FAMILY DRUG, supplies 50.46; MILBANK AREA HOSPITAL AVERA, blabs 146.00; MILBANK AUTO PARTS, supplies 1,516.58; NEWMAN SIGNS, parts 717.65; NORTHWESTERN ENERGY, natural gas 95.47; OTTER TAIL POWER, electricity 1,702.30; PETERS DISTRIBUTING, repair & maint 1,519.66; QUICK PRO LUBE, repair & maint 1,193.46; R.D. OFFUTT, repair & maint 747.60; RC TECHNOLOGIES, 911 transport & tower rent 95.96; RUNNINGS, supplies 515.62; SANDRA FONDER, prof services 25.00; SECUR SERV, prof services 1,695.33; SUMNER DIESEL, repair & maint 200.00; SYRCO ENTERPRISES, rentals 45.51; TEESDALE LAW OFFICE, court appt atty 712.50; TRI-STATE WATER, supplies 29.20; TWIN VALLEY TIRE, repair & maint 165.00; TYLER TECHNOLOGIES, prof services 17,080.75; U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, prof services 600.00; U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, jail bond interest 136,765.63; VALLEY OFFICE PRODUCTS, supplies 165.33; VANESSA MCFARLAND, supplies 176.00; VERIZON, hot spot 40.01; WHETSTONE HOME CENTER, supplies 35.76; WHETSTONE VALLEY ELECTRIC, electricity 957.17; XEROX, copier rent 1,173.71; GRAND JURY FEES, 411.60. TOTAL: $262,859.11.
APRIL 2026 MONTHLY FEES: SD DEPT OF HEALTH, SDACO, ROD modernization fee 260.00; SD DEPT OF REVENUE, monthly fees 140,745.36; SD DEPT OF REVENUE, sales & use tax 184.61. TOTAL: $141,189.97.
Payroll for the following departments and offices for May 14, 2026, payroll is as follows: COMMISSIONERS 8,038.32; AUDITOR 10,025.13; ELECTION 1,771.58; TREASURER 7,812.85; STATES ATTORNEY 9,016.12; CUSTODIANS 4,334.00; DIR. OF EQUALIZATION 5,000.76; REG. OF DEEDS 6,829.53; VET. SERV. OFFICER 832.20; SHERIFF 15,878.61; COMMUNICATION CTR 11,382.77; VISITING NEIGHBOR 1,922.61; LIBRARY 9,126.83; 4-H 4,228.40; WEED CONTROL 2,571.30; P&Z 1,296.00; DRAINAGE 780.00; ROAD & BRIDGE 37,145.26; EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 2,763.45. TOTAL: $140,755.72.
Payroll Claims: FIRST BANK & TRUST, Fed WH 10,322.11; FIRST BANK & TRUST, FICA WH & Match 16,964.42; FIRST BANK & TRUST, Medicare WH & Match 3,967.38; ACCOUNTS MANAGEMENT, deduction 96.88; AMERICAN FAMILY LIFE, AFLAC ins. 1,957.95; RELIANCE STANDARD LIFE DENTAL, ins. 525.12; WELLMARK-BLUE CROSS OF SD, Employee health ins. 2,360.64; RELIANCE STANDARD SUPPLEMENTAL, life ins. 120.13; OFFICE OF CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT, child support 1,200.00; SDRS SUPPLEMENTAL, deduction 2,435.83; SDRS, retire 16,012.04. TOTAL: $55,962.50.
Consent Agenda: Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to approve the consent agenda. Motion carried 5-0.
1. Declare surplus from Library, asset #08831 high back office chair.
Executive Session: Motion by Street and seconded by Tostenson to enter executive session at 10:21 a.m. for the purpose of personnel issue(s) pursuant to SDCL 1-25-2 (1). Motion carried 5-0. Commissioner Assistant Owen, Library Director Wollschlager, States Attorney Schwandt, and Auditor Folk were present. Chairman Mach declared the meeting open to the public at 11:36 a.m. No action was taken because of the executive session.
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 June 4 (Thursday) and 16, 2026, at 8 a.m. in the basement Commissioner room. Please use the elevator. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned.
/s/Michael J. Mach,
Chairman,
Grant County Commissioners
/s/ Kathy Folk,
Grant County Auditor
