Grant County Commission Proceedings February 3, 2026
Grant County Commission Proceedings February 3, 2026
The Grant County Commission met at 8 a.m. with Commissioners Hoff, Mach, Street, Stengel and Tostenson present. Chairman Mach called the meeting to order. Motion by Street and seconded by Hoff to approve the minutes of the January 16, 20, and 27, 2026, meetings. Motion carried 5-0. Minutes filed. Auditor Folk asked to add approval of a $2,426.32 transfer from General Fund to new Fund #294 Opioid Settlement Fund to the agenda. Motion by Stengel and seconded by Tostenson to approve the agenda with the addition noted. Motion carried 5-0.
Present from the public were Ryan Kohl and Traci Stein. Staff members present were Deputy Commissioner Assistant Layher, Commissioner Assistant Owen, States Attorney Schwandt, Drainage Officer Berkner, and Hwy Supt Peterson.
Public Comment: Chairman Mach called for public comment. Ryan Kohl, a candidate for District 4 Representative, introduced himself to the Commission. Kohl stated he is a supporter of agriculture, education and developing small towns. Mach called two more times for public comment. There were no more comments. Chairman Mach closed the public comment.
P & Z: Officer Berkner discussed Deuel County’s proposed zoning law changes in transmission lines that will be discussed at a meeting in Deuel County Commission meeting today.
Approve Bridge Reinspection: Supt Peterson presented a resolution to select an engineering firm for the reinspection of the bridges that are done every two years. He recommended Banner Engineering. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to approve Resolution 2026-03 with SDDOT for consultant selection. Chairman Mach called for the vote. Motion carried 5-0. Resolution adopted.
2026-03
BRIDGE REINSPECTION
PROGRAM RESOLUTION
FOR USE WITH SDDOT RETAINER CONTRACTS
WHEREAS, 23 CFR 650 Subpart C, requires initial inspection of all bridges and reinspection at intervals not to exceed two years with the exception of reinforced concrete box culverts that meet specific criteria. These culverts are reinspected at intervals not to exceed four years.
THEREFORE, Grant County is desirous of participating in the Bridge Inspection Program.
The County requests SDDOT to hire Banner & Associates (Consulting Engineers) for the inspection work. SDDOT will secure federal approvals, make payments to the Consulting Engineer for inspection services rendered, and bill the County for 20% of the cost. The County will be responsible for the required 20% matching funds.
Dated this 3rd day of February 2026, at Milbank, South Dakota.
Board of County Commissioners
Of Grant County
ATTEST:
Kathy Folk
County Auditor
Michael Mach
Chairman of the Board
Ballot on Demand System: Auditor Folk informed the Commission that the county has qualified for a $9,000 Help America Vote Act (HAVA) grant through the SD Secretary of State. There is also additional funding of $15,327.70 from the State to purchase the equipment needed to improve elections in the county with the caveat that the county must spend this amount by June 1, 2026, or the money will revert into State held funds. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to approve purchase of the Ballot on Demand System in the amount of $9,445 for county elections. Motion carried 5-0.
Travel: Motion by Stengel and seconded by Tostenson to approve Hwy Supt Peterson to attend the annual Short Course in Deadwood and EM Director Schuelke to attend SDIMAT workshop in Oacoma. Motion carried 5-0.
County Assistance: None
Wildland Fire Designees: A letter from the SD Dept. of Public Safety was received. The request is for the Commission to provide the department with a list of individuals who would be authorized to request assistance from the State of South Dakota, under the County Rangeland Fire Protection Agreement. Motion by Street and seconded by Stengel to approve the following resolution for appointing designees authorized to request state fire assistance. Motion carried 5-0. Resolution adopted.
RESOLUTION 2026-04
A Resolution for selecting designees authorized to request firefighting resources on behalf of the County Board of Commissioners:
“BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that the list of individuals set forth below, are hereby authorized to request rangeland fire assistance, on behalf of the County of Grant as specified in SDCL 41-20A-11. The authority to request assistance as provided shall continue in full force and effect until terminated or modified by resolution of the County of Grant Board of Commissioners.”
County Fire Assistance Authorization List Through March 31, 2027.
Name of Individual Position
Kevin Schuelke EM Director
Jeremy Steffensen Sheriff
Michael Mach Commissioner
Dated this 3rd day of February, 2026.
Michael Mach, Chairman
Board of Commissioners
ATTEST:
Kathy Folk, Auditor
SecureSD MOU: Commissioner Assistant Owen and States Attorney Schwandt reviewed the MOU from SecureSD with the Commission. South Dakota with Dakota State University is working with cities, counties and municipalities in South Dakota to provide them with technical assistance to reduce cybersecurity risks by performing assessments, offer secure email system and enhance cybersecurity resilience through security tools. Deputy Commissioner Assistant Layher reported the county currently has a contract with SecurServ that already provides this level of cyber security for the county. It was the consensus of the Commission to decline signing the SecureSD MOU.
Unfinished Business: States Attorney Schwandt gave an update on the industrial park drainage work. Traci Stein with Grant County Development Corp was present and discussed their capital campaign and HB 1005 which would provide sales tax exemption to data centers.
New Business: States Attorney Schwandt gave an update on the bills in the State Legislature including several property tax bills. Auditor Folk stated the Annual Township Association meeting will be February 18th at the 4-H Complex at 1 p.m. Thursday, February 12th at 9 a.m. the Drainage Task Force committee will meet in the Commission Room.
Correspondence: None
Opioid Fund Cash Transfer: Auditor Folk stated SD Dept of Legislative Audit now requires the county Opioid Settlement dollars to be kept in a separate fund. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Hoff to approve transferring $2,426.32 from the 101 General Fund to 294 Opioid Settlement Fund. Motion carried 5-0.
Liquor License Hearing: Chairman Mach opened the hearing for public comment. Mach called three times for public comment. Hearing none, he closed the public comment period and the public hearing and opened the meeting for Board discussion. Commissioner Assistant Owen presented the 2026 on-sale liquor license application for Cherry’s Bittersweet Lodge. Motion by Street and seconded by Stengel to approve the application of the on-sale liquor license for 2026. Chairman Mach called for the vote. Motion carried 5-0.
1. Cherry’s Bittersweet Lodge located at 15196 455th Ave., in Lura Township with a legal description of South 200’ of the West 300’ of Gov’t Lot 4 in the SW1/4 in 7-120-51, Grant County (On-Sale) Liquor.
Executive Session: Motion by Stengel and seconded by Street to enter executive session at 9:33 a.m. for personnel issue(s) and litigation issue(s). Motion carried 5-0. Also present for the executive session were Deputy Commissioner Assistant Layher, Commissioner Assistant Owen, States Attorney Schwandt, and Auditor Folk. Chairman Mach declared the meeting open to the public at 10:14 a.m. No action was taken because of the executive session.
Claims: Motion by Stengel and seconded by Street to approve the claims as presented. Motion carried 5-0. ASURE SOFTWARE, subscription 751.90; AUSTIN, STRAIT, BENSON, THOLE, KOEHN, Court Appt Atty 324.00; AUTOVALUE, supplies 83.94; BEACON CENTER, 4th qtr domestic abuse 387.00; CENTER POINT, books 48.54; CHAD POLLOCK, prof services 90.00; CITY OF MILBANK, water & sewer 787.02; CITY OF WATERTOWN, 911 surcharge 10,430.28; CITY OF WATERTOWN, non-emergency dispatch 6,000.00; CORRIE QUALE, repair & maint 337.24; EQUIPMENT BLADES, supplies 1,137.60; FIRST DISTRICT, prof services 165.00; G A JOHNSON CONSTRUCTION, prof services 203,384.04; GRAJCZYK LAW OFFICE, court appt atty 3,700.00; HMN ARCHITECTS, prof services 8,030.47; HOWMEDICA OSTEONICS, minor equipment 2,081.88; LEE'S GUNS, supplies 510.00; MIDCO, lib internet 131.31; MILBANK AREA HOSPITAL AVERA, blabs 292.00; MILBANK AUTO PARTS, supplies 797.37; MILBANK FORD & MERCURY, repair & maint 70.62; MCLEODS PRINTING, supplies 328.80; MOTOROLA, computer repair & maint 2,470.00; NORTHWESTERN ENERGY, natural gas 2,156.51; OTTER TAIL POWER, electricity 2,749.71; QUICK PRO LUBE, repair & maint 167.98; RELX, online charges 762.00; SECUR SERV, prof services 7,404.84; SD DEPT TRANSPORTATION, contracted proj 612.87; WELLMARK BLUE CROSS, annual fees 530.00; XEROX, copier rent 746.50. TOTAL: $257,469.42.
Payroll for the following departments and offices for January 28, 2026, payroll is as follows: COMMISSIONERS 11,891.15; AUDITOR 11,977.72; ELECTION 385.13 TREASURER 6,300.72; STATES ATTORNEY 9,016.12; CUSTODIANS 4,312.00; DIR. OF EQUALIZATION 5,600.81; REG. OF DEEDS 7,552.73; VET. SERV. OFFICER 832.20; SHERIFF 17,233.62; COMMUNICATION CTR 12,399.37; VISITING NEIGHBOR 2,341.97; LIBRARY 8,678.21; 4-H 4,712.28; WEED CONTROL 2,357.80; P&Z 708.00; DRAINAGE 1,494.00; ROAD & BRIDGE 35,065.30; EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 2,713.50. TOTAL: $145,572.63.
Payroll Claims: FIRST BANK & TRUST, Fed WH 7,840.35; FIRST BANK & TRUST, FICA WH & Match 17,573.68; FIRST BANK & TRUST, Medicare WH & Match 4,109.96; ACCOUNTS MANAGEMENT, deduction 114.47; US DEPT OF TREASURY, deduction 260.62; AMERICAN FAMILY LIFE, AFLAC ins. 2,026.66; RELIANCE STANDARD LIFE DENTAL & VISION, ins. 844.03; WELLMARK-BLUE CROSS OF SD, employee health ins. 52,779.03; RELIANCE STANDARD SUPPLEMENTAL, life ins. 493.17; MASA, air ambulance 344.00; LEGAL SHIELD, deduction 38.85; OFFICE OF CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT, child support 2,708.00; SDRS SUPPLEMENTAL, deduction 2,285.83; SDRS, retire 16,829.19. TOTAL: $108,247.84.
Consent Agenda:
1. Declare surplus HP LaserJet 4100N printer, serial #18621 to be destroyed.
2. One year letter of agreement with First District for highway data collection project for $350.00.
Executive Session: Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to enter executive session at 10:18 a.m. for litigation issue(s). Motion carried 5-0. Also present for the executive session were Deputy Commissioner Assistant Layher, Commissioner Assistant Owen, States Attorney Schwandt, and Auditor Folk.
Chairman Mach declared the meeting open to the public at 10:35 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 February 17, March 3 and 17, 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
