Grant County Commission Proceedings April 21, 2026
Grant County Commission Proceedings
April 21 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. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Street to approve April 7 and 14, 2026, minutes. Motion carried 5-0. Commissioner Stengel asked to add Big Stone City Fire Department to report on the allocation the County gave them. Auditor Folk asked to add four claims for approval and Commissioner Assistant Owen asked to add approval of two elderly assessment freezes to the agenda. Motion by Hoff and seconded by Street to approve the agenda with the additions stated. Motion carried 5-0.
Present from the public were Jaclyn Van Lith, Jim Carlson, Annie O’Brien, Brenda Sime, Lance Frogner, Jason Street, Adam Hunt, Jackie Loeschke, Matt Loeschke, Zach Wiese, George Vinson, Bert Loehrer, Austin Hunt and Wayne Loeschke. Staff members present were Commissioner Assistant Owen, Drainage Officer Berkner, States Attorney Schwandt, Hwy Supt Peterson and DOE Stotesbery.
Public Comment: Chairman Mach called for public comment three times. Zach Wiese of the BSC Fire Department stated they will be purchasing new helmets with the County allocation. They have ordered a new fire truck that should arrive in August. They are expanding their dive team from 7 to 12 members. Jaclyn Van Lith, Lance Frogner, Jackie Loeschke, Adam Hunt, Bert Loehrer, Wayne Loeschke and Austin Hunt encouraged the Commissioners to approve 2,000’ setbacks for transmission lines and expressed their concerns with possible future health issues and farm equipment with GPS systems may be affected by the transmission lines. Chairman Mach closed the public comment.
The Auditor’s Account with the Treasurer for March 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 March 2026.
Cash on Hand, $1,218.10
Checks in Treasurer’s possession less than three days, $18,488.48
Cash Items, $0.00
TOTAL CASH ASSETS ON HAND
$19,706.58
RECONCILED CHECKING
First Bank & Trust, $611,179.01; Interest, $0.00; Credit Card Transactions, $2,222.71; First Bank & Trust (Svgs), $5,957,607.48; Jail Bond, $992,799.58.
CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT
First Bank & Trust, $0.00; First Bank & Trust (TIF), $0.00.
TOTAL CASH ASSETS
$7,583,515.36
GENERAL LEDGER CASH
BALANCES:
General, $1,256,314.82; General restricted cash, $2,669,000.00; Cash Accounts for Offices General Fund, $656.00; Sp. Revenue, $1,452,315.03; Sp. Revenue restricted cash, $0.00; Ambulance District, $7,756.31; Henze Road District, $1,468.44; Temporary Offage, $2,285.41; TIF Rosewood Mil-3, $0.00; TIF Koch, $0.00; Special Assessment Land Rent, $0.00; Trust & Agency, $2,193,719.35; (schools 645,948.06, twps 114,146.17, city/town 95,887.63).
TOTAL GENERAL LEDGER CASH
$7,583,515.36
Dated the 15th day of April, 2026
Kathy Folk
County Auditor
The Register of Deeds fees for the month of March were $9,153.50. The Clerk of Courts fees for the month of March were $6,993.09. The Sheriff fees for the month of March were $4,070.96 with $2,578.81 received into the General Fund.
HWY: Speed Limit: Discussion was held on reducing the speed limit on 485th Avenue north of the Big Stone Legion. Taylor Stotesberry stated two residences are there and the road curves after them and comes to a dead-end suddenly. The vehicles are going over the 55-mph speed limit which causes accidents at the dead- end. He would like to see some type of signage at the intersection of 145th Street and 485th Avenue to lower the speed limit or state there is a dead-end ahead to prevent accidents. After lengthy discussion, the Commission requested Supt Peterson to have a yellow Reduced Speed sign and a No Outlet sign to be installed by the entrance of the gravel pit. Bridge Inspection Costs: Supt Peterson stated due to new federal regulations for bridge inspections over 20 ft long, Banner Associates is estimating it will take 1.7 hours more per bridge to complete the necessary paperwork due to the new federal regulations. This will increase the County’s cost from $15,000 to $44,680 every two years for bridge inspections. New CDL Rules: Supt Peterson said effective March 31, health cards will be needed for drivers with a CDL. The deadline to replace current CDL licenses is July 1, 2026. The cost of a health card is $110 and the cost of a CDL license is $43. Road Grader Quotes: Supt Peterson reported he has received two quotes for a new motor grader with a snow wing, joystick control and a 9 year, 9,000-hour warranty. The John Deere quote is $426,000. The Butler CAT quote is $485,841.09. Motion by Street and seconded by Stengel to accept the John Deere quote and authorize Chairman Mach to sign the purchase order for the John Deere motor grader. Motion carried 5-0.
Drainage: Chairman Mach adjourned the Board of Commissioners and convened the Commission acting as the Drainage Board.
Permit DR2026-06 for Brock Tillma for land located within the W1/2 of Section 16 in Grant Center Township.
Chairman Mach called for a motion to approve drainage permit DR2026-06 for Brock Tillma. Motion by Stengel and seconded by Tostenson to approve permit DR2026-06.
Drainage Officer Berkner reported the permit is for tiling 55 acres in the W1/2 of Section 16 located in the Whetstone Watershed. The project would use two 8” outlets that would drain into a USGS designated blue-line waterway and by using the 3/8 inch drainage co-efficient formula (DCF) the lateral tile design could flow as much as 160 gpm per 8” out letting tile. It is Berkner’s opinion that the drainage project conforms to the county’s drainage ordinance.
Tillma was not present. Chairman Mach opened the public hearing for DR2026-06 asking three separate times for comments both in favor or against the drainage project. No one responded. Mach closed the public hearing inviting drainage board discussion. After brief discussion, Chairman Mach called for the vote. Motion carried 5-0.
Permit DR2026-07 for Jason Street for land located within the SE1/4 of Section 12 in Adams West Township.
Chairman Mach called for a motion to approve permit DR2026-07 for Jason Street. Motion by Hoff and seconded by Street to approve permit DR2026-07.
Berkner said the drainage permit is for tiling 110 acres in the SE1/4 of Section 12 located in the South Branch of the Yellow Bank River Watershed. The project would have up to two open inlets and three outlets, 5”, 8” and 2”, that would drain into the same USGS designated blue-line waterway. Berkner estimated the lateral tile design alone could flow at a maximum rate of 750 gpm but the open inlets could flow at a greater rate. It is Berkner’s opinion that the drainage project’s design conforms to the county’s drainage ordinance.
Chairman Mach asked Jason Street for any additional comments. Jason said the overall design is probably larger than what will be done as he is in discussion with the NRCS office over the SW corner design.
Chairman Mach opened the public hearing asking three separate times for comments both in favor or against the drainage project. No one responded. Mach closed the public hearing, inviting drainage board discussion. After brief discussion, Mach called for the vote. Motion carried 5-0.
Berkner gave an update to the drainage complaint related to the recently completed 36-acre Milbank Industrial Park. He had conversations with both downstream landowners and Grant Center Township of their concerns of possible future flooding.
Chairman Mach adjourned the Drainage Board and reconvened the Board of Commissioners.
Executive Session: Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Hoff to enter executive session at 9:22 a.m. for the purpose of personnel issue(s) pursuant to SDCL 1-25-2 (1). Motion carried 5-0. Commissioner Assistant Owen, States Attorney Schwandt, Supt Peterson and Auditor Folk were present. Chairman Mach declared the meeting open to the public at 9:33 a.m. No action was taken because of the executive session.
Senate Bill 96: A lengthy discussion was held on the Governor’s Senate Bill 96 which gives each county the option to reduce their owner-occupied property taxes through a half-cent local sales tax option.
4-H: Shooting Sports: Commissioner Stengel reported the program is working on implementing more 4-H program rules by having the kids run it and the Board will be more hands off. Cameras: Commissioner Hoff stated the quote from Safe-N-Secure for five cameras at the 4-H Complex is $10,767 with installation.
Travel: None
County Assistance: Motion by Stengel and seconded by Tostenson to deny case PR2026-01. Motion carried 5-0.
Abatement: Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Street to approve the following abatement. Motion carried 5-0.
11. Bill number: 7125.01; Tax year: 2025; Abatement: $1,485.00: Reason: Due to disabled veterans’ exemption effective 01-01-2025.
Elderly/Disabled Tax Freeze: DOE Stotesbery reported Treasurer DeVaal has received two additional applications that qualify for the elderly tax freeze. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Hoff to approve DOE Stotesbery’s recommendation to make the changes to values for the elderly/disabled tax freeze applications approved by Treasurer DeVaal. Motion carried 5-0.
Cash Transfer: Motion by Street and seconded by Stengel to approve the cash transfer as per the 2026 budget. Motion carried 5-0.
FROM TO AMOUNT
101 General 766 Law Library Fund
$4,100
Clerk of Courts: Commissioner Assistant Owen received an estimate from Extreme Contracting to upgrade the Clerk of Courts office door with a solid door for $1,180.14. Owen is checking to see if the expense will qualify for a court security grant. Motion by Stengel and seconded by Street to approve the Clerk of Courts door upgrade for $1,180.14. Motion carried 5-0.
Contracts: Pocket Gopher: Motion by Street and seconded by Stengel to approve the contract with SD DOT for the 2026 Pocket Gopher Baiting with the county to receive $8,750.00. Motion carried 5-0. Weed Control: Motion by Street and seconded by Stengel to approve the contract with SD DOT for the 2026 Noxious Weed Control with the county to receive $36,750.00. Motion carried 5-0.
Mosquito Control: Motion by Stengel and seconded by Street to approve applying for Mosquito Control $5,000 grant through the SD Dept of Health. Motion carried 5-0.
Unfinished Business: None
New Business: Commissioner Assistant Owen said he will be putting a notice in the paper not to farm in the county road right-of-way. Owen also stated he received a quote of $45,000 from West Central Communications to move the existing jail communication system to the new jail. This expense wasn’t bid during the original jail bidding process so it cannot be covered by the contingency account for the jail. Owen is working with GA Johnson Construction and West Central Communications to reduce this cost. Auditor Folk explained that the delay of the Primary absentee ballots is due to the candidate petition deadline is the last Tuesday in March, which fell on the 31st this year. The deadline in 2024 was March 26th. Candidates can send their petitions via registered mail if they are post marked by 5:00 p.m. CT, March 31. Registered mail and petition challenges delay the finalization of the ballots. After a petition is filed, there is a 5-business day petition challenge window. The Secretary of States office had a record number of statewide candidate petitions filed.
Correspondence: Auditor Folk stated a refund check of $9,436.00 was received from SDML Workers’ Compensation Fund.
Claims: Motion by Stengel and seconded by Street to approve the claims with the four additional for $10,304.21. Motion carried 5-0. AGTEGRA, ethanol, diesel, propane 9,351.63; BEACON CENTER, 1st qtr domestic abuse 344.45; BERENS MARKET, inmate groceries 341.43; BORNS GROUP, mailing expense 1,457.44; CCP INDUSTRIES, supplies 622.70; CENGAGE LEARNING, books 975.21; CITY OF MILBANK, water & sewer 224.43; CITY OF WATERTOWN, 911 surcharge 10,304.21; CRAIG DEBOER, car wash card 140.29; FIRST DISTRICT, prof services 15,637.50; FOOD & FUEL, inmate meals 234.00; GALLS, supplies 702.19; GRANT COUNTY REVIEW, publishing 45.50; HMN ARCHITECTS, prof services 8,066.72; INGRAM, books 1,610.74; INNOVATIVE BENEFIT CONSULTANTS, insurance 594.00; INTER-LAKES COMMUNITY ACTION, service worker 2,333.33; ITC, phone & internet 2,069.56; JASON SACKREITER, garbage service 535.00; JEREMY J. WIESE, supplies 57.00; KRISTY LIEBE, supplies 60.00; LARRY'S REFRIGERATION, repair & maint 970.94; LISA FURMAN SCHOREDER, refund 100.00; MICROFILM IMAGING SYSTEMS, rentals 902.00; MILBANK AUTO PARTS, supplies 1,548.13; MITCHELL PRINTING COMPANY, supplies 825.15; NORTHERN TRUCK EQUIPMENT, parts 217.80; NORTHWESTERN ENERGY, natural gas 275.69; OTTER TAIL POWER, electricity 1,517.14; OXYGEN SERVICE, supplies 455.90; QUICK PRO LUBE, repair & maint 204.47; R.D. OFFUTT, repair & maint 176.47; SANDRA FONDER, prof services 30.00; SECUR SERV, prof services 7,548.02; SDACO, registration 400.00; SD DEPT OF LEGIS AUDIT, prof services 3,430.00; SD DEPT TRANSPORTATION, hwy projects 1,428.26; SD PUB ASSURANCE ALLIANCE, insurance 148,795.20; ST WILLIAMS CARE CENTER, inmate laundry 59.00; STATE OF SD, supplies 210.00; STREET GRAPHEX, supplies 43.00; TRAPP PLUMBING COMPANY, repair & maint 14.54; VALLEY OFFICE PRODUCTS, supplies 1,706.34; VERIZON, hotspot 40.01; WASTE CONNECTIONS OF SOUTH DAKOTA, shredding services 150.79; WHETSTONE HOME CENTER, supplies 121.79; WHETSTONE VALLEY ELECTRIC, electricity 1,426.52; XEROX, copier rent 1,063.66. TOTAL: $229,368.15.
MARCH 2026 MONTHLY FEES: SD DEPT OF HEALTH, SDACO, ROD modernization fee 264.00; SD DEPT OF REVENUE, monthly fees 170,823.48. TOTAL: $171,087.48.
Payroll for the following departments and offices for April 14, 2026, payroll is as follows: COMMISSIONERS 8,038.32; AUDITOR 10,278.85; ELECTION 1,131.68; TREASURER 7,202.56; STATES ATTORNEY 9,016.12; CUSTODIANS 4,334.00; DIR. OF EQUALIZATION 4,813.60; REG. OF DEEDS 7,084.31; VET. SERV. OFFICER 832.20; SHERIFF 16,170.41; COMMUNICATION CTR 12,560.72; VISITING NEIGHBOR 1,942.96; LIBRARY 8,976.26; 4-H 5,820.55; WEED CONTROL 2,410.50; P&Z 1,404.00; DRAINAGE 768.00; ROAD & BRIDGE 38,701.00; EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 2,732.40. TOTAL: $144,218.44.
Payroll Claims: FIRST BANK & TRUST, Fed WH 10,661.76; FIRST BANK & TRUST, FICA WH & Match 17,390.24; FIRST BANK & TRUST, Medicare WH & Match 4,066.98; ACCOUNTS MANAGEMENT, deduction 96.88; AMERICAN FAMILY LIFE, AFLAC ins. 1,968.61; 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 2,485.83; SDRS, retire 16,569.36. TOTAL: $57,445.55.
Consent Agenda: Motion by Street and seconded by Stengel to approve the consent agenda. Motion carried 5-0.
1. Approve 2026 pay increase for Mary Hagen to $23.40 effective 1-1-2026.
2. Declare surplus from Library, laptop, data storage and charging station.
Executive Session: Motion by Hoff and seconded by Stengel to enter executive session at 11:40 a.m. for the purpose of personnel issue(s) pursuant to SDCL 1-25-2 (1). Motion carried 5-0. Commissioner Assistant Owen, States Attorney Schwandt, and Auditor Folk were present. Chairman Mach declared the meeting open to the public at 11:51 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 May 5 and 19, and June 4 and 16, 2026, at 8 a.m. in the basement Commissioner room. Please use the elevator. Motion by Stengel and seconded by Hoff to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned.
/s/Michael J. Mach,
Chairman,
Grant County Commissioners
/s/ Kathy Folk,
Grant County Auditor
