Grant County Commission Proceedings July 21, 2026
Grant County Commission Proceedings
July 21, 2026
The Grant County Commission met at 8 a.m. with Commissioners Mach, Stengel, Tostenson, and Hoff present. Commissioner Street was absent. Chairman Mach called the meeting to order. Motion by Hoff and seconded by Tostenson to approve July 7 and 8, 2026, minutes. Motion carried 4-0. Commissioner Assistant Owen asked to add surplusing the 2022 Dodge Durango to the Consent agenda. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to approve the agenda with the addition stated. Motion carried 4-0.
Present from the public were Nancy Johnson, Bradley Kent, Ryan Kohl, Peter Wyatt, Kaia Varns and Steve Pendergrass. Staff members present were Commissioner Assistant Owen, Drainage Officer Berkner, States Attorney Schwandt, and Hwy Supt Peterson.
Public Comment: Chairman Mach called for public comment three times. There were no comments. Chairman Mach closed the public comment.
The Auditor’s Account with the Treasurer for June 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 June 2026.
Cash on Hand, $4,311.33
Checks in Treasurer’s possession less than three days, $28,233.76
Cash Items, $0.00
TOTAL CASH ASSETS ON HAND
$32,545.09
RECONCILED CHECKING
First Bank & Trust, $756,934.80; Interest, $0.00; Credit Card Transactions, $577.17; First Bank & Trust (Svgs), $8,195,610.53; Jail Bond, $347,154.35.
CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT
First Bank & Trust, $0.00; First Bank & Trust (TIF), $0.00.
TOTAL CASH ASSETS
$9,332,821.94
GENERAL LEDGER CASH
BALANCES:
General, $3,446,143.60; General restricted cash, $2,669,000.00; Cash Accounts for Offices General Fund, $656.00; Sp. Revenue, $1,766,830.21; Sp. Revenue restricted cash, $0.00; Ambulance District, $911.88; Henze Road District, $0.00; Temporary Offage, $2,285.41; TIF Rosewood Mil-3, $0.00; TIF Koch, $0.00; Special Assessment Land Rent, $0.00; Trust & Agency, $1,446,994.84; (schools 373,203.31, twps 94,340.96, city/town 27,983.13).
TOTAL GENERAL LEDGER CASH
$9,332,821.94
Dated the 10th day of July, 2026
Kathy Folk
County Auditor
The Register of Deeds fees for the month of June were $12,497.50. The Clerk of Courts fees for the month of June were $6,314.48. Statistics for the month of June 2026 for the Sheriff’s office were presented by report. Average Daily inmate population 1.56; Number of bookings 10; Work release money collected $0.00; 24/7 Preliminary Breath Test (PBT) fees collected $289.00; SCRAM (alcohol detecting bracelet) fees collected $0.00; 24/7 PBT participants 2; SCRAM (Sobriety Program) participants 0; UA participants 1; Calls for Service (does not include walk-in traffic) 234; Accidents investigated 5; Civil papers served 48; Cumulative miles traveled 15,905; 911 calls responded to (including Milbank) 111.
Chairman Mach adjourned the Board of Commissioners and convened the Commission acting as the Drainage Board.
Permits DR2026-12a, -12b, and -12c for Dana Johnson for land located in the E1/2 of Section 11, and in the S1/2SW1/4 of Section 12, both in Lura Township in the Former Sisseton Wahpeton Indian Reservation.
Chairman Mach called for a motion to approve DR2026-12a, to -12c for Dana Johnson. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to approve drainage permits DR2026-12a to -12c.
Drainage Officer Berkner reported the drainage permit is for a 14 acre tile project located across three legal land parcels located in the Big Sioux River Watershed. The project would have two separate inlets located along 454th Ave and drain through a single 8” out letting tile. By using the 3/8th inch Drainage Co-efficient Formula (DCF) of the lateral tile only the estimated maximum flowrate would be near 100 gpm. The drainage permit application has all the signatures needed from landowners as well as Lura Township for allowing work to be done on their township road right-of-way. Berkner stated it is his opinion that the drainage projects conform to the county’s drainage ordinance.
Chairman Mach asked Nancy Johnson for any additional comments. Johnson said they had been contacted by the other landowner if they would be interested in joining their drainage project to share expenses. Johnson said she would be available for comment if needed. Mach opened the public hearing asking three separate times for comments both in favor or against the drainage projects. No one responded. Mach closed the public hearing inviting drainage board discussion. After brief discussion, Chairman Mach called for the vote. Motion carried 4-0.
P&Z: Officer Berkner suggested the Commission review the ordinance for water usage in the county. Currently there is not a limit on water usage. If it needs to be changed, there is a 5-6 week process needed to change the ordinance. After lengthy discussion, the Commission asked Berkner to have the topic discussed at the P&Z meeting this afternoon.
This concluded the business of the Drainage Board. Chairman Mach adjourned the Drainage Board and reconvened as the Board of Commissioners.
Travel: Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to approve travel expenses for 4-H Educator Melissa Mueller to attend the SD State Fair in Huron and the Extension Fall Conference in Aberdeen. Motion carried 4-0.
County Assistance: None
Unfinished Business: Auditor Folk gave an update from the Lake Region District meeting in Brown County and the two proposed resolutions for the next legislative session. More discussion was held on SB 96.
District 4 House Candidate: Ryan Kohl, candidate for District 4 House of Representatives, met with the Commission and asked what the State could be doing better and what the State is doing well. Topics of discussion were BIG grants, RAIF program, SB 96, unfunded mandates from the State and counties sharing resources.
State Health Nurse: Kaia Varns, RN, from the Watertown Public Health office gave a six-month update for Grant County.
City of Milbank: Administrator Steve Pendergrass gave an update of appointing a temporary mayor and their one cent city sales tax question to be put on the General election ballot.
New Business: Commissioner Assistant Owen received the settlement offer from the county’s insurance carrier for the damaged dump truck for $34,500 to total it out. The insurance carrier’s settlement offer for the county to keep it for parts is $29,750. Hwy Supt Peterson said the tires and wheels can be salvaged and used on the county’s other dump trucks. Motion by Stengel and seconded by Tostenson to accept the insurance carrier’s settlement for $29,750. Motion carried 4-0.
Owen stated he received a jail change order from GA Johnson Construction of $22,158 for overlooked grouting on security door frames, drill epoxy rebar and tackable wall panels were missing on the original bid estimates. The money will come out of the jail contingency. A tentative date for the jail open house and ribbon cutting is August 20th.
Box Culvert 26-035-100: Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to accept the contract from Banner Engineering for Box Culvert 26-035-100 for Bid Ready Plans and Bid Letting. Motion carried 4-0.
Box Culvert 26-260-079: Motion by Stengel and seconded by Hoff to accept the contract from Banner Engineering for Box Culvert 26-260-079 for Bid Ready Plans and Bid Letting. Motion carried 4-0.
ITC Contract: Motion by Stengel and seconded by Tostenson to accept the ITC contract for the new Detention Center and Sheriff’s Office for $490 installation and $29.85 for equipment cost for phone and internet services. Motion carried 4-0.
Correspondence: Commissioner Assistant Owen received an annual contract request for partnership from our elevator company from Fargo to pay a quarterly fuel supplement of $100 to offset their fuel costs. Owen advised not to sign the contract.
Claims: Motion by Hoff and seconded by Tostenson to approve the claims. Motion carried 4-0. AGTEGRA, diesel & ethanol 7,478.62; AUSTIN, STRAIT, BENSON, THOLE, KOEHN, court appt atty 549.00; AUTOMATIC SECURITY CO, prof services 902.70; BANNER ASSOCIATES, prof services 7,140.50; BEACON CENTER, 2nd qtr domestic abuse 202.50; BERENS MARKET, inmate groceries 494.40; BILLION MOTORS, sheriff’s truck 44,376.00; BITUMINOUS PAVING, asphalt patching 317,006.25; BUTLER, parts 3,248.88; BX CIVIL & CONSTRUCTION, box culvert proj 50,481.90; CENTURY BUSINESS PRODUCTS, copier rent 493.91; CHS, diesel 14,839.70; CITY OF MILBANK, rubbish 30.00; CITY OF WATERTOWN, 911 surcharge 10,885.18; CONSOLIDATED READY MIX, gravel 183.68; CRAIG DEBOER, car wash card 32.82; DAWSON TRUCK PARTS, repair & maint 14,721.69; DAY COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE, inmate housing 7,500.00; FIRST DISTRICT, prof services 9,773.71; FISHER SAND & GRAVEL, gravel 38,238.00; FLAT RATE, gravel 11,412.82; FOOD & FUEL, inmate meals 240.50; G & R CONTROLS, repair & maint 2,266.84; GRANT COUNTY REVIEW, publishing 786.18; GRANT-ROBERTS RURAL WATER, water usage 42.40; HMN ARCHITECTS, prof services 2,767.03; INGRAM, books 587.37; INNOVATIVE BENEFIT CONSULTANTS, insurance 3,632.60; INTER-LAKES COMMUNITY ACTION, service worker 2,333.33; ITC, phone & internet 2,651.17; JASON SACKREITER, garbage services 510.00; LARRY’S REFRIGERATION, repair & maint 970.94; LEWIS FAMILY DRUG, supplies 471.37; MILBANK AUTO PARTS, supplies 1,538.25; NORTHWESTERN ENERGY, natural gas 16.55; OTTER TAIL POWER, electricity 3,513.42; OXYGEN SERVICE, supplies 764.15; QUICK PRO LUBE, repair & maint 78.99; R.D. OFFUTT, repair & maint 317.20; REDWOOD TOXICOLOGY, supplies 177.07; REGENCY MIDWEST VENTURES, hotel 1,070.00; RELX, online charges 801.00; ROBERTS CO SHERIFF, inmate housing 4,980.00; RUNNINGS, supplies 671.96; SECUR SERV, prof services 34.00; SD ASSN CO COMMISSIONERS, clerp 3,991.00; SD DEPT OF HEALTH, blabs 50.00; SD DEPT TRANSPORTATION, hwy projects 732.72; SIOUX VALLEY COOP, ethanol 1,580.00; SUMNER DIESEL, repair & maint 147.36; SUPERIOR CAPITAL HOLDINGS, repair & maint 240.00; THE METOCHOL GROUP, supplies 75.00; THOMSON REUTERS, ref books 1,788.10; TRAPP PLUMBING, parts 9.18; UNZEN MOTORS, repair & maint 177.02; VALLEY OFFICE PRODUCTS, supplies 1,774.83; VERIZON, hotspot 40.01; WASTE CONNECTIONS OF SOUTH DAKOTA, shredding services 23.18; WHETSTONE HOME CENTER, supplies 18.38; WHETSTONE VALLEY ELECTRIC, electricity 1,189.98; XEROX, copier rent 277.40; iLOOKABOUT, software 572.00. TOTAL: $583,900.74.
JUNE 2026 MONTHLY FEES: SD DEPT OF HEALTH, SDACO, ROD modernization fee 308.00; SD DEPT OF REVENUE, monthly fees 206,890.88. SD DEPT OF REVENUE, sales & use tax 147.66. TOTAL: $207,346.54.
Payroll for the following departments and offices for July 14, 2026, payroll is as follows: COMMISSIONERS 8,038.32; AUDITOR 12,914.34; ELECTION 1,706.40; TREASURER 7,169.46; STATES ATTORNEY 6,629.32; CUSTODIANS 4,308.55; DIR. OF EQUALIZATION 4,813.62; REG. OF DEEDS 5,439.30; VET. SERV. OFFICER 503.70; SHERIFF 18,947.89; COMMUNICATION CTR 12,597.64; VISITING NEIGHBOR 1,789.08; LIBRARY 9,759.30; 4-H 5,189.00; WEED CONTROL 4,764.40; P&Z 1,584.00; DRAINAGE 528.00; ROAD & BRIDGE 34,926.92; EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 2,763.45. TOTAL: $144,372.69.
Payroll Claims: FIRST BANK & TRUST, Fed WH 10,570.21; FIRST BANK & TRUST, FICA WH & Match 17,416.68; FIRST BANK & TRUST, Medicare WH & Match 4,073.14; ACCOUNTS MANAGEMENT, deduction 96.88; AMERICAN FAMILY LIFE, AFLAC ins. 1,902.85; RELIANCE STANDARD LIFE DENTAL, ins. 536.42; 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 585.00; SDRS SUPPLEMENTAL, deduction 1,402.50; SDRS, retire 16,382.60. TOTAL: $55,447.05.
Executive Session: Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to enter executive session at 10:09 a.m. for the purpose of personnel issue(s) pursuant to SDCL 1-25-2 (1). Motion carried 4-0. Commissioner Assistant Owen, States Attorney Schwandt, Hwy Supt Peterson, 4-H Educator Mueller and Auditor Folk were present. Chairman Mach declared the meeting open to the public at 11:12 a.m. No action was taken because of the executive session.
2027 Provisional Budget: The Commission continued discussion of the 2027 budget. Other items discussed were the tax call estimates for 2027, assigned account balances, operating transfers, and department requests. The Commission will continue their work on the 2027 budget until finalizing the budget in September. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Hoff to approve the provisional budget for publication and the following resolution for the public hearing on the 2027 budget. Motion carried 4-0. Resolution adopted.
2026-05 Resolution
ADOPTION OF PROVISIONAL BUDGET FOR GRANT COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN: That the Board of County Commissioners of Grant County, will meet in the Courthouse at Milbank, South Dakota on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 9 a.m. for the purpose of considering the foregoing Provisional Budget for the year 2027 and the various items, schedules, amounts and appropriations set forth therein and as many days thereafter as is deemed necessary until the final adoption of the budget on the 22nd day of September 2026. At such time any interested person may appear either in person or by a representative and will be given an opportunity for a full and complete discussion of all purposes, objectives, items, schedules, appropriations, estimates, amounts, and matter set forth and contained in the Provisional Budget.
Kathy Folk
Grant County Auditor
Milbank, South Dakota
Consent Agenda: Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Hoff to approve the consent agenda. Motion carried 4-0.
1. Declare surplus 2022 Dodge Durango asset #10952
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 July 30 (Canvass), August 4 and 18, 2026, at 8 a.m. in the basement Commissioner room. Motion by Stengel and seconded by Tostenson to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 4-0. Meeting adjourned.
/s/Michael J. Mach,
Chairman,
Grant County Commissioners
/s/ Kathy Folk,
G
