Grant County Commission Proceedings - February 21, 2023

     February 21, 2023

The Grant County Commission met at 8 AM with Commissioners Buttke, Mach, Stengel, Street and Tostenson. Chairman Mach called the meeting to order. Motion by Stengel and seconded by Buttke to approve the minutes of the February 7, 2023, meeting. Motion carried 5-0. Minutes filed. Motion by Street and seconded by Buttke to approve the agenda with the addition of a county proclamation. Motion carried 5-0.

Members of the public present were Bob Spartz and Kevin Miller. Staff members present were Auditor Elect Folk and States Attorney Schwandt.

Public Comment: Chairman Mach called for public comment. Kevin Miller spoke on dogs running at large on his property, loss of livestock and safety concerns for his family. There were no other comments from members of the public. Chairman Mach closed the public comment.

The Auditor’s Account with the Treasurer for January 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 January, 2023.

Cash on Hand, $4,058.09 

Checks in Treasurer’s possession less than 3 days, $35,708.01 

Cash Items, $0.00 

TOTAL CASH ASSETS ON HAND

$39,766.10 

RECONCILED CHECKING First Bank & Trust, $52,665.24; Interest, $0.00; Credit Card Transactions/TIF Fee, $7,804.05; First Bank & Trust (Svgs), $7,240,366.69. 

CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT First Bank & Trust, $0.00; First Bank & Trust (TIF), $0.00. 

TOTAL CASH ASSETS

$7,340,602.08  

GENERAL LEDGER CASH

BALANCES:

General, $3,084,483.36; General restricted cash, $2,050,000.00; Cash Accounts for Offices General Fund, $656.00; Sp. Revenue, $1,093,756.82; Sp. Revenue restricted cash, $0.00; Henze Road District, $0.00; TIF Apportioning, $0.00; TIF Milbank, $0.00; TIF Milbank Rosewood, $0.00; Special Assessment Land Rent, $0.00;  Trust & Agency, $1,111,705.90; (schools 155,021.67, twps 25,012.27, city/town 36,422.84); ACH Correction, $0.00.

TOTAL GENERAL LEDGER CASH

$7,340,602.08 

Dated this 13th day of February, 2023

Karen M. Layher

County Auditor

The Register of Deeds fees for the month of January were $10,368.75. The Clerk of Courts fees for the month of January were $4,982.02. The Sheriff fees for the month of January were $26,875.02 with $2,875.62 received into the General Fund.

Commission Chairman Mach read a proclamation declaring February 21, 2023, Karen M. Layher Day for serving 30 years as county auditor.

Highway/RAIF Grant: The Commission and Hwy Supt Peterson reviewed one application from Georgia township for funding allocation through the Rural Access Infrastructure Funds (RAIF). The grant is an 80% award with a 20% share by the township. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Buttke to award Georgia township RAIF grant funds of $23,862.09 (80%) for structure 26-280-201 for a culvert to be replaced on 477th Ave south of 161st St. Motion carried 5-0.

4-H: Sara Koepke met with the Commission to review quotes received for surveillance cameras and a fire alarm system for the 4-H complex. The discussion centered on the expense of the fire alarm system and if the allocation of funding should be out of the General Fund or from donations. Commissioner Tostenson offered to check on grant funding available through rural electric coops and report back at the next meeting.

  Drainage: Officer Berkner informed the Commission that Hefty Seed Company from Brandon, SD has confirmed they will present information on tiling on March 21 at the 4-H complex at 10:30 a.m. in connection with the Ag Appreciation Day.

DOE: Kathy Steinlicht explained the developer’s resolution that was adopted in 2016. This resolution states when developers plat five or more lots for housing, the lots will be assessed at 20% of value for the first year and assessed at 100% of full and true value at year five. A new resolution was presented to update the code number in SD codified law. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Buttke to adopt

the following resolution. Motion carried 5-0. Resolution adopted.

Developer’s Resolution

Resolution #2023-03

BE IT RESOLVED by the Grant County Board of County Commissioners, Grant County, South Dakota, as follows:

For assessed value to be used for tax purposes on certain residential properties as described in South Dakota Codified Laws Section 10-6-143.

Property which can be valued according to this resolution shall meet each of the following conditions:

1. Property must be real property, platted after the effective date of this resolution, zoned for residential construction, and improved with necessary infrastructure to allow for future residential construction.

2. Property must be owned by the person or corporation developing the real property.

3. Property to be classified for this purpose must contain a minimum of five (5) lots in the plat.

The Grant County Board of County Commissioners hereby adopts the following formula under authority of South Dakota Codified Laws Section 10-6-144.

For the first five (5) years following the filing of the plat for the subdivision, the assessed value of lots that remain unsold and have no building construction started on them shall be assessed as follows:

a. First year following platting, 20% of full and true value.

b. Second year following platting, 40% of full and true value.

c. Third year following platting, 60% of full and true value.

d. Fourth year following platting, 80% of full and true value.

e. Fifth year following platting, 100% of full and true value.

Nothing in this resolution is intended to allow any refund or abatement of taxes levied prior to its passage. Also, if requested by the property owner, the discretionary formula may be waived and the full assessment shall be applied.

  Dated this 21st of February, 2023.

Michael J. Mach

Grant County Commission

ATTEST:

Karen M. Layher,

Grant County Auditor

Diversion Program: States Attorney Schwandt presented information on creating a Youth Diversion Program. This program stems from the Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative (JDAI) and it works on the core principles of serving the right youth in the right place at the right time. The Diversion Coordinator would meet with the youth and family to provide the youth with the opportunity to take advantage of the program as well as learn about the requirements expected of them throughout the program. If all parties agree to the plan, the youth is given 90 days to complete the program. If the youth successfully completes the program, the charges against the youth are dropped from their record. If the youth does not complete the program, the case is sent back to the States Attorney for formal prosecution. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to approve the States Attorney to implement the Diversion Program with the States Attorney serving as the coordinator. Motion carried 5-0.

Special License: The hearing for a special event malt beverage license was held with no members of the public present. The request is for a malt beverage license by the Revillo Fire Dept for the purpose of two fundraisers to be held on March 4 and March 18 at the former Grant-Deuel School. Certificate of insurance will be provided by the City of Revillo. Motion by Street and seconded by Buttke to approve the two-malt beverage special event licenses for the Revillo Fire Dept and to waive the $100 fee for the license. Motion carried 5-0.

Commissioner Street provided information on a new truck the Revillo Fire Department has ordered and asked the Commission to schedule a discussion of a donation to the department at the year-end meeting.

Ambulance District: States Attorney Schwandt presented a flow chart he developed that the Commission would follow for the formation of an ambulance district created by passing a resolution. The steps include that the municipalities would need to pass a resolution requesting to be included in the boundaries of the district. The Commission would hold a public hearing, allow public comment and consider a vote to form the district. The resolution would be published and would take effect after twenty days, if not referred to a vote. The state statues also prescribe how members of the ambulance district board are elected. The Commission requested that the flow chart, a sample resolution the municipality could adopt requesting to be included in the boundary of the ambulance district be sent out to all the municipalities.

    Executive Session: Motion by Stengel and seconded by Tostenson to enter executive session at 11:22 a.m. for the purpose of a personnel issue pursuant to SDCL 1-25-2. Motion carried 5-0. Auditor Layher, Auditor Elect Folk and States Attorney Schwandt were present. Chairman Mach declared the meeting open to the public at 11:27 a.m. Motion by Stengel and seconded by Street to approve the benefit of holiday pay for part-time dispatchers who work a holiday retroactive to January 1, 2023. Motion carried 5-0.

Personnel: Motion by Stengel and seconded by Tostenson to approve creating a new position of County Administrator-Commissioner Assistant effective March 1, 2023. Motion carried 5-0. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Buttke to appoint Karen Layher to the new position. Motion carried 5-0.

Unfinished Business: The Commission added asset 0057A, a roll top desk, to the items to be declared surplus for the year-end inventory.

New Business: A discussion of re-planting trees in an area of the county’s bike path where trees have died. The conservation office will be contacted for options on trees for planting.

Correspondence: The Annual report on Economic Development from the Governor’s office was presented for review.

Claims: Motion by Street and seconded by Buttke to approve the claims. Motion carried 5-0. THE RUPTURE SEAL, supplies 350.57; A-OX WELDING, supplies 17.11; BANNER, hwy project 320.00; BORNS GROUP, mailing expense 1,367.25; BREWSTER BUILDING CENTER, materials 1,947.50; CCP INDUSTRIES, supplies 561.30; CENTER POINT, books 380.52; CENTURYLINK, phone 155.98; CITY OF WATERTOWN, 911 surcharge 6,377.51; CRAIG DEBOER, car wash usage 432.96; FIRST BANK & TRUST/VISA gas, motel, supplies 2,635.18; FOELL PC, health services 80.00; INGRAM, books 1,041.43; INSIGHT, supplies & equip 1,836.50; INTER-LAKES COMM ACT, service worker 2,628.00; ITC, phone & internet 2,116.78; JASON SACKREITER, garbage service 230.00; JEREMY WIESE, supplies 62.95; LARRY'S REFRIGERATION, repair & maint 382.73; LEWIS, supplies 67.84; LINCOLN COUNTY AUDITOR, prof services 75.00; MACK STEEL, supplies 731.28; MILBANK AREA HOSPITAL AVERA, health services 1,200.41; JAMIE DEVAAL, temp worker 84.60; JODI DEVAAL, temp worker 84.60; NICK ALLEN, repair & maint 156.43; NORTHERN TRUCK EQUIPMENT, parts & supplies 1,588.80; NOVAK SANITARY SERVICE, shredding services 74.75; OTTER TAIL POWER, electricity 4,744.01; QUALIFIED PRESORT, prof services 2,787.91; RELX, online charges 725.00; RIVER STREET PETROLEUM, diesel 2,555.00; ROY STOLPMAN, gravel 18,400.00; SANDRA FONDER, prof services 33.33; SD ASSN COUNTY OFFICIALS, workshop 110.00; SD STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, dues 55.00; STAR LAUNDRY, rentals 137.82; STATE OF SD, supplies 25.00; TRAPP PLUMBING, repair & maint 78.54; VALLEY OFFICE PRODUCTS, supplies & furniture 1,636.93; VALLEY SHOPPER, publishing 53.16; VERIZON, hotspot 38.52; WHETSTONE HOME CENTER, supplies 131.76; WHETSTONE VALLEY ELECTRIC, electricity 963.14; XEROX, copier rent 666.40; ZEM'S FRESH START, supplies 45.92. TOTAL: $60,175.42.

Payroll for the following departments and offices for the February 14, 2023, payroll are as follows: COMMISSIONERS 3,770.00; AUDITOR 11,101.41; ELECTION 187.65; TREASURER 3,978.12; STATES ATTORNEY 7,298.20; CUSTODIANS 3,270.97; DIR. OF EQUALIZATION 4,395.21; REG. OF DEEDS 4,676.76; VET. SERV. OFFICER 1,277.10; SHERIFF 15,827.17; COMMUNICATION CTR 9,263.30; PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE 1,361.10; ICAP 98.00; VISITING NEIGHBOR 2,263.63; LIBRARY 7,996.21; 4-H 3,792.60; WEED CONTROL 2,111.40; P&Z 1,302.35; DRAINAGE 576.45; ROAD & BRIDGE 33,887.48; EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 2,464.00. TOTAL: $120,899.11.

Payroll Claims: FIRST BANK & TRUST, Fed WH 8,454.46; FIRST BANK & TRUST, FICA WH & Match 14,608.68; FIRST BANK & TRUST, Medicare WH & Match 3,416.46; ACCOUNTS MANAGEMENT, deduction 159.88; AMERICAN FAMILY LIFE, AFLAC ins. 1,585.18; ARGUS DENTAL, ins 498.89; WELLMARK-BLUE CROSS OF SD, Employee health ins. 1,447.77; OFFICE OF CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT, child support 210.00; SDRS SUPPLEMENTAL, deduction 1,380.83; SDRS, retire 13,286.23. TOTAL: $45,048.38.

Consent: Motion by Buttke and seconded by Stengel to approve the consent agenda. Motion carried 5-0.

1. Set budget supplement hearing for #295 RAIF – small structures – for March 7 at 9 a.m.

2. Approve year-end list of surplus items

3. Approve list of volunteers for weather spotter, POD, snowmobile club, LEPC and Library for coverage under work comp

  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 March 7 and Friday, March 17, and April 4, 11 (Equalization) and 18 at 8 a.m. Motion by Stengel and seconded by Street to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned.

 /s/ Michael J.  Mach,

Chairman,

Grant County Commission

/s/ Karen M. Layher, 

Grant County Auditor              

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