Grant County Commission Proceedings, December 31, 2025
Grant County Commission Proceedings, December 31, 2025
December 31, 2025
The Grant County Commission met at 8 a.m. with Commissioners Hoff, Mach, Street, Stengel, and Tostenson present. Chairman Tostenson called the meeting to order with a quorum present. Motion by Mach and seconded by Stengel to approve December 16, 2025, minutes. Motion carried 5-0. Auditor Folk requested to add payment to Midcontinent Communications for $131.04 to the claims. Motion by Stengel and seconded by Street to approve the agenda with the addition stated. Motion carried 5-0.
There were no members of the public present. Staff members present were Commissioner Assistant Layher, States Attorney Schwandt, Kevin Owen, Treasurer DeVaal and Deputy Auditor Carrino.
Public Comment: Chairman Tostenson called for public comment three times. There were no comments. Chairman Tostenson closed the public comment.
Statistics: The following statistics for the month of November for the Sheriff’s Office were presented by report. Average Daily inmate population 1.16; Number of bookings 14; Work release money collected $0.00; 24/7 Preliminary Breath Test (PBT) fees collected $326.00; SCRAM (alcohol detecting bracelet) fees collected $168.00; 24/7 PBT participants 1; SCRAM (Sobriety Program) participants 1; UA participants 5; Calls for Service (does not include walk-in traffic) 235; Accidents investigated 2; Civil papers served 53; Cumulative miles traveled 14,182; 911 calls responded to (including Milbank) 109.
2025 Year End: The Commission reviewed the year end financials. The following motions were made.
Contingency: Motion by Mach and seconded by Street to approve the following year-end contingency transfers. Motion carried 5-0.
FROM TO AMOUNT
#112 Contingency #111 Commission
800
#112 Contingency #130 Judicial
18,505
#112 Contingency #154 Abused and
Neglected 2,050
#112 Contingency #171 Data
Processing
28,270
#112 Contingency #162 Director of
Equalization
4,750
#112 Contingency #166 Predatory
Animal 403
#112 Contingency #411 Support of
Poor 3,900
#112 Contingency #436 Visiting
Neighbor 10,800
#112 Contingency #721 Tourism
990
#112 Contingency #222 Emergency
Management
10,400
#112 Contingency #748 Law Library
582
Total Contingency Transfers 81,450
Total Contingency Transfers for 2025
81,450
Unused Contingency Budget for 2025
118,550
Unused Budget Authority: General Fund 1,173,490
Unused Budget Authority: Highway Fund 1,378,366
Cash Transfers: Motion by Stengel and seconded by Hoff to approve the Highway Fund operating transfer as per the 2025 budget and the EM and 911 Service Fund cash transfers from the General Fund. Motion carried 5-0.
FROM TO AMOUNT
101 General Fund 201 Highway
Fund 1,500,000
101 General Fund 226 Emergency
Mgmt 10,000
101 General Fund 207-911 Service
Fund 38,000
Capital Outlay Designation: Motion by Street and seconded by Hoff to approve the following list of capital designations for YE 2025 within the General Fund. Chairman Tostenson called for the vote. Motion carried 5-0.
Capital Outlay Accumulations:
Highway Road Projects $400,000
Gov’t Buildings $500,000
Emergency Services $55,000
Total Designations $955,000
Automatic Supplements: None
Allocations: None
Bi-Annual Audit: Jeff Schaefer and Kasie Ingraham with the Department of Legislative Audit presented the audit findings for the years of 2023-2024. They reviewed the letter of governance, management letter and schedule of comments. The State Auditors recommend that the county strengthen internal controls over financial reporting and implement the tax deed procurement process for eligible properties. The closing letter from Legislative Audit is on file in the Auditor’s Office. Motion by Mach and seconded by Street to approve the results of the 2023- 2024 audit. Chairman Tostenson called for the vote. Motion carried 5-0.
Travel: None
County Assistance: None
2026 Holidays: Motion by Stengel and seconded by Mach to approve the 2026 holiday schedule as presented. Motion carried 5-0.
Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan: Motion by Stengel and seconded by Hoff to adopt the following resolution. Chairman Tostenson called for the vote. Motion carried 5-0. Resolution adopted.
RESOLUTION #2025-13
Grant County Commission
Resolution Adopting the Grant County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan 2026 – 2031
WHEREAS, Grant County received assistance in the preparation of the Grant County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan 2026-2031 from representatives of Grant County and received funding from the South Dakota Office of Emergency Management / FEMA; and
WHEREAS, several public planning meetings were held between December of 2024 and October 2025 regarding the development and review of the Grant County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan 2026-2031; and
WHEREAS, the Grant County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan 2026-2031 contains several potential future projects to mitigate hazard damage in Grant County; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has rendered its approval of the Grant County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan on December 9th, 2025 and
WHEREAS, a duly-noticed public hearing was held by the Grant County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Team on September 29th, 2025 to solicit public comment on the Grant County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan 2026-2031; and
WHEREAS, a duly-noticed public meeting was held by the Grant County Commission on December 31st, 2025, to formally approve and adopt the final Grant County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan 2026-2031.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Grant County Commission adopts the Grant County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan 2026-2031.
ADOPTED AND SIGNED this 31st day of December, 2025.
William Tostenson
Commission Chairman
ATTEST:
Kathy Folk,
Auditor
Unfinished Business: None
New Business: Commissioner Assistant Layher received an estimate for a fob system for the 4-H Complex south door for just under $8,000 from Safe-N-Secure. The County currently uses a Safe-N-Secure system in the courthouse.
Commissioner Hoff recommended staying with the same company and said the new system could be expanded to two doors if needed.
Correspondence: None
Claims: Motion by Hoff and seconded by Street to approve the claims as presented. Motion carried 5-0. AGTEGRA, diesel 567.65; AL’S BODY SHOP, repair and maint 320.00; AUTOVALUE, supplies 63.10; BUTLER, parts 859.67; CENTER POINT, books 25.17; CHS, propane 1,189.13; CITY OF WATERTOWN, 911 surcharge 10,543.99; CLEAR CHOICE CLEANING, prof services 2,100.00; CONNIE PETERSON, prof services 12.00; FIRST BANK and TRUST/VISA, supplies, receipt printer, vacuum, chairs, file cabinets 5,715.57; FISHER SAND and GRAVEL, crusher fines 1,422.46; FREMAREK, supplies 252.00; FOOD and FUEL, inmate meals 240.50; HMN ARCHITECTS, prof services 7,655.06; JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL, parts 90.27; JOSEPH NELSON, refund 127.67; KIBBLE EQUIPMENT, repair and maint 896.17; LARRY’S REFRIGERATION, repair and maint 2,792.39; LEWIS FAMILY DRUG, supplies 721.56; LURA TOWNSHIP, RAIF reimbursement 12,000.00; MELROSE TOWNSHIP, RAIF reimbursement 10,655.88; MIDCO, lib internet 131.04; MILBANK AREA HOSPITAL AVERA, blabs 292.00; MILBANK AUTO PARTS, supplies 2,006.22; MISSOURI RIVERS EDGE, hotel 112.00; NORTHWESTERN ENERGY, natural gas 1,239.27; OVERDRIVE, digital books 982.71; OXYGEN SERVICE, supplies 457.51; REDWOOD TOXICOLOGY, supplies 331.86; RELX, online charges 1,051.31; RUNNINGS SUPPLY, supplies 307.62; SAFETY-KLEEN SYSTEMS, supplies 249.72; SECUR SERV, prof services 7,533.48; MATT SCOTT, prof services 292.50; SD DEPT TRANSPORTATION, contracted proj 478.82; THE SHOP, repair and maint 8,225.08; SIOUX VALLEY COOP, diesel and ethanol 7,539.19; STERN OIL COMPANY, supplies 807.80; STROBL LAND PARTNERSHIP, refund 65.58; TRAPP PLUMBING, repair and maint 192.53; TWIN BROOKS TOWNSHIP, RAIF reimbursement 54,816.32; TWIN VALLEY TIRE, repair and maint 3,918.35; VALLEY OFFICE PRODUCTS, supplies 2,617.66; WHETSTONE HOME CENTER, supplies 5.98; WHETSTONE VALLEY ELECTRIC, electricity 308.62. TOTAL: $152,213.41.
Payroll for the following departments and offices for the December 24, 2025, payroll is as follows: COMMISSIONERS 8,107.60; AUDITOR 14,278.49; ELECTION 137.70; TREASURER 4,584.81; STATES ATTORNEY 7,851.30; CUSTODIANS 3,869.80; DIR. OF EQUALIZATION 4,594.92; REG. OF DEEDS 5,245.85; VET. SERV. OFFICER 871.25; SHERIFF 18,474.82; COMMUNICATION CTR 11,879.00; VISITING NEIGHBOR 1,657.50; LIBRARY 8,891.03; 4-H 4,067.63; WEED CONTROL 2,083.00; PandZ 3,300.45; DRAINAGE 1,013.55; ROAD and BRIDGE 29,689.71; EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 2,412.00. TOTAL: $133,010.41.
Payroll Claims: FIRST BANK and TRUST, Fed WH 7,222.29; FIRST BANK and TRUST, FICA WH and Match 16,042.74; FIRST BANK and TRUST, Medicare WH and Match 3,752.02; ACCOUNTS MANAGEMENT, deduction 114.47; AMERICAN FAMILY LIFE, AFLAC ins. 1,698.61; RELIANCE STANDARD LIFE DENTAL and VISION, ins. 776.07; WELLMARK-BLUE CROSS OF SD, Employee health ins. 51,818.56; RELIANCE STANDARD SUPPLEMENTAL, life ins. 501.27; MASA, air ambulance 353.00; LEGAL SHIELD, deduction 38.85; OFFICE OF CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT, child support 2,708.00; SDRS SUPPLEMENTAL, deduction 2,235.83; SDRS, retire 14,710.10. TOTAL: $101,971.81.
Consent Agenda: Motion by Street and seconded by Mach to approve the consent agenda. Motion carried 5-0.
1. Declare surplus (8) Falcon foam backed chairs.
2. Approve step increase to 1 year for Alan Chrzanowski to $20.20 per hour effective 12-13-2025.
3. Approve 1-year full-service maintenance agreement for Onan generator with Cummins at $1,311.70.
Executive Session: Motion by Mach and seconded by Hoff to enter executive session at 10:25 a.m. for personnel issue(s) per SDCL 1-25-2(1). Motion carried 5-0. Also present for the executive session were Treasurer Karla DeVaal, Commissioner Assistant Layher, States Attorney Schwandt, Kevin Owen and Auditor Folk. Chairman Tostenson declared the meeting open to the public at 11:40 a.m. Motion by Mach and seconded by Street to approve hiring Suzanne Seehafer as Deputy Treasurer at a rate of $22.60 per hour effective January 15, 2026. Motion carried 5-0. Motion by Mach and seconded by Hoff to increase the Treasurer’s salary to match the Register of Deeds of $5,414.66. Motion carried.
Salary Resolution: Motion by Street and seconded by Stengel to approve the 2026 salary resolution as presented which is an overall 3 percent increase in wages as per the 2026 budget and noting the Commissioners will stay at their current 2025 wage rate. Motion carried 5-0. Resolution adopted.
2025-12 Salary Resolution
WHEREAS, the Grant County Commission must establish and publish salaries of all officials and employees of the county as per SDCL 6-1-10.
Payroll: Roger Hoff 1767.46 per mo; Mike Mach 1767.46 per mo; Doug Stengel 1767.46 per mo; William Street 1767.46 per mo; William Tostenson 1767.46 per mo; Karen Layher 7627.66 per mo; Kevin Owen 7083.34 per mo; Kathy Folk 5716.66 per mo; Jennie Carrino 23.30 per hr; Maylee Dirden 22.60 per hr; Lori Marvel 22.85 per hr; Vickie Kaarsch 22.85 per hr; Jennifer Waniorek 23.70 per hr; Karla DeVaal 5414.66 per mo; Shawna Przybycien 23.30 per hr; Mark Reedstrom 4773.60 per mo; Jackson Schwandt 9431.84 per mo; Kathleen Strei 21.30 per hr: John Pahl 25.45 per hr; Wendy Boerger 23.55 per hr; Taylor Stotesbery 30.55 per hr; Wade Leddy 23.90; Rebecca Wellnitz 5414.66 per mo; Vickie Gulley 23.80 per hr; Brittany Folk 22.90 per hr; Jeremy Steffensen 6250.00 per mo; Wesley Bowsher 31.30 per hr; Mike Burns 31.15 per hr; Deven Weinkauf 31.05 per hr; Orville Folk 31.85 per hr; Steve Griffee 29.10 per hr; Rita German 21.70 per hr; Andrew Pillatzki 21.10 per hr; Kevin Speaker 21.70 per hr; Renae Buttke 20.90 per hr; Alan Chrzanowski 20.80 per hr; Shaundra Lesnar 20.90 per hr; Scott Malimanek 21.90 per hr; Marie Loutsch 19.15 per hr; Teresa Spors 18.70 per hr; Darla Folk 18.45 per hr; Tammy Wollschlager 4547.40 per mo; Cindy Jungers 19.60 per hr; Janelle Kelly 19.50 per hr; Joanne Urban 22.30 per hr; Cheyenne Sime 18.60 per hr; Cheryl Schweer 21.00 per hr; Julie Anderson 19.10 per hr; Kim McCrea 20.60 per hr; Kristi Seehafer 18.60 per hr; Araceli Zuniga 18.60 per hr; Sharon Wieber 19.25 per hr; Melissa Mueller 27.65 per hr; Rochelle Reede 20.40 per hr; Nathan Mueller 26.35 per hr; Daren Peterson 6587.60 per mo; Jason Tiesing 24.65 per hr; David Athey 24.75 per hr; Ken Brotzel 24.95 per hr; Casey Dahl 23.55 per hr; Carl Karrasch 25.45 per hr; Adam Kvam 23.55 per hr; Adam Leins 23.95 per hr; Paul Tostenson 24.55 per hr; Blain Gatz 25.75 per hr; Justin Layher 31.85 per hr; Jonathaon Ransom 24.35 per hr; Nathan Stecker 24.85 per hr; Eric Mueller 25.75 per hr; Joshua Ries 24.05 per hr; Dalton Petersen 24.55 per hr; Kevin Schuelke 31.05 per hr; Steve Berkner 24.00 per hr; P&Z Bd 175.00 per mtg; Library Bd 50.00 per mtg; Visiting Neighbor Bd 50.00 per mtg; Weed Bd 50.00 per mtg; Election worker 15.40 per hr; Matron 20.45 per hr; Transport Officer 22.55 per hr; Coroner 85.00 per call; Fill-in Deputy Sheriff 28.75 per hr; Phone stipend: Maintenance supervisor 30.00 per month; Sheriff and deputies 30.00 per month; EM director 30.00 per month; 4-H advisor 30.00 per month; VSO 30.00 per month; P&Z Officer 30.00 per month; Hwy Supervisor 30.00 per month; Auditor 30.00 per month; Commission Assistant and Deputy Assistant 30.00 per month; St. Atty 30.00 per month; shift premium differential (dispatcher) 1.00 per hour.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Grant County Commission of Grant County does hereby adopt the salary resolution for the year 2026.
Dated this 31st day of December 2025.
William J Tostenson,
Chairman
Grant County Commission
ATTEST:
Kathy Folk
Grant County Auditor
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 January 6 and 20, and February 3 and 17, 2026 at 8 a.m. in the basement Commissioner Room. Please use the elevator. Motion by Stengel and seconded by Mach to adjourn. Motion carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned.
/s/ William Tostenson,
Chairman,
Grant County Commissioners
/s/ Kathy Folk,
Grant County Auditor
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