Grant County Commission Proceedings • November 2, 2021

    November 2, 2021

The Grant County Commission met at 8 AM with Commissioners Buttke, Mach, Street and Tostenson present. Commissioner Stengel was absent. Chairman Tostenson called the meeting to order with a quorum present and asked for a motion to approve the minutes. Motion by Buttke and seconded by Street to approve the minutes of the October 18 and 19, 2021, meetings. Motion carried 4-0. Minutes filed. Motion by Street and seconded by Buttke to approve the agenda. Motion carried 4-0.

No members of the public were present. Staff members present were States Attorney Schwandt and Drainage Officer Berkner.

The Chairman called for public comment. No member of the public was present to offer any comment.

Highway: Supt. Schultz reported the mowing of the road ditches would be completed this week. The County crew mows 900 miles of road ditches. The Marvin Shop received roof damage from the hailstorm on August 28th. The roof was dented, but there are not any holes in the tin. The roof will be repaired with a primer, sealant, and the screws will be caulked for an estimated cost of $6,000. The life expectancy of this process is 15 years.

County Assistance: Motion by Street and seconded by Buttke to deny case PR2021-03. Motion carried 4-0. Motion by Street and seconded by Buttke to offer a settlement of $1,200 for PR2021-04 for a 2018 burial claim. Motion carried 4-0.

Mileage: Motion by Mach and seconded by Street to set the Visiting Neighbor mileage rate at the Federal mileage rate. Voting aye: Street and Buttke. Voting nay: Mach and Tostenson. Auditor Layher broke the tie and voted nay. Motion by Mach and seconded by Buttke to set the mileage reimbursement rate at the Federal rate for all non-elected employees effective November 1, 2021, with the option of using a private vehicle or a county vehicle to be determined by the Supervisor. Motion carried 4-0.

EM: Motion by Mach and seconded by Buttke to authorize Chairman Tostenson to sign the “I Am Responding” contract for $2,680 per year for the period of 11-1-2021 to 10-31-2022. Motion carried 4-0. This is a first responder notification system and the contract will renew for a period of three years if the amount of $2,680 is approved through claims.

Attorney General: Motion by Buttke and seconded by Street to approve Auditor Layher to register the County as a claimant for the opioid settlement as explained by the letter received from the State Attorney General’s Office. Motion carried 4-0. States Attorney Schwandt had reviewed the documentation and advised the Commission, the County probably would not receive settlement monies, but by signing on, it may help other counties within the State.

Sheriff: Kevin Owen reported he has completed the training on Virtual Mental Health. The program would allow him or other trained law officers to connect with a doctor in Sioux Falls, who will evaluate the person to determine what course of action should be taken for the individual. I-pads were provided and there is not any financial cost to the County, other than personnel time. Dispatch: Sheriff Owen presented a contract with the City of Watertown for non-emergency dispatch services. The Watertown Dispatch center would answer all incoming non-emergency calls, such as law enforcement traffic calls for a driver’s license check or a warrant check and the public’s non-emergency calls. In addition to this contract with Watertown, the local public will still be able to contact the local dispatch center and law enforcement through the local phone number. This would be a one-year contract beginning January 1, 2022, at a cost of $24,000. Milbank provides funding for dispatch services of $12,000 per year, with the County paying the remaining cost of $12,000. Sheriff Owen stated the County’s dispatch center is functioning and can for a few more years, but the cost of upgrading 911 equipment would be cost prohibitive for the County. Motion by Mach and seconded by Buttke to approve the one-year contract with the City of Watertown for non-emergency dispatch services effective January 1, 2022. Motion carried 4-0.

The following statistics for the month of August 2021 for the Detention Center and Sheriff’s Office were presented by report. Average Daily inmate population 1.90; Number of bookings 11; Work release money collected $745.00; 24/7 Preliminary Breath Test (PBT) fees collected $241.00; SCRAM (alcohol detecting bracelet) fees collected $0.00; 24/7 PBT participants 5; SCRAM (Sobriety Program) participants 0; Calls for Service (does not include walk-in traffic) 517; accidents investigated 4; Civil papers served 51; Cumulative miles traveled 10,294; 911 calls responded to (including Milbank) 82.

The following statistics for the month of September 2021 for the Detention Center and Sheriff’s Office were presented by report. Average Daily inmate population 1.56; Number of bookings 13; Work release money collected $0.00; 24/7 Preliminary Breath Test (PBT) fees collected $312.00; SCRAM (alcohol detecting bracelet) fees collected $0.00; 24/7 PBT participants 4; SCRAM (Sobriety Program) participants 0; Calls for Service (does not include walk-in traffic) 518; Accidents investigated 3; Civil papers served 41; Cumulative miles traveled 11,747; 911 calls responded to (including Milbank) 91.

ARPA Funds: Todd Kays of First District provided an overview of the contract from SDACC for consulting services with Eide Bailey through the Planning Districts. The contract is designed for the County to direct questions on allowable projects to First District who will funnel the questions to the accounting firm of Eide Bailey for determining if the project can use the ARPA funds. Motion by Street and seconded by Buttke to approve joining the SDACC contract with Eide Bailey for $2,000. Motion carried 4-0. This contract fee is an allowable expense of the ARPA Funds.

Ordinances: Chairman Tostenson asked to have the second reading of Ordinance 2021-05, an ordinance regarding manufactured homes. Motion by Mach and seconded by Street to dispense with reading of the ordinance and to adopt Ordinance 2021-05. Chairman Tostenson asked if there were any other comments from the Commission and hearing none, called for a roll call vote on the adoption of Ordinance 2021-05. Street aye, Buttke aye, Mach aye and Tostenson aye. Motion carried 4-0. Ordinance 2021-05 adopted.

Chairman Tostenson asked to have the second reading of Ordinance 2021-06, an ordinance regarding plats. Motion by Street and seconded by Buttke to dispense with reading of the ordinance and to adopt Ordinance 2021-06. Chairman Tostenson asked if there were any other comments from the Commission and hearing none, called for a roll call vote on the adoption of Ordinance 2021-06. Street aye, Buttke aye, Mach aye and Tostenson aye. Motion carried 4-0. Ordinance 2021-06 adopted.

These ordinances are on file in the Auditor’s Office and will be published on November 3, 2021, with an effective date of November 24, 2021, unless referred.

Unfinished Business: Commissioner Mach asked to have a discussion on open inlets for drainage. He questioned if an open inlet is defeating the purpose of the sponge effect; if tiles under the low spots would be enough to manage drainage; if the height of the tile inlet should be a condition of the permit. Chairman Tostenson requested the drainage officer to research open inlets and provide information to the drainage board.

New Business: Auditor Layher reported the 5-Year Highway Plan has received approval from the SD DOT. Proposed commissioner district changes as required by the 2020 census were reviewed with only minor boundary adjustments being recommended to be under the 10% variance between districts. Public notice and adoption of the re-districting will be held at a meeting in December. Chairman Tostenson reported on attending the GCED meeting on developing a website to encompass a total informational site for Milbank and the County. Craig Weinberg of VPD Studios presented the power point.

Correspondence: The Commission received an invitation to the 4-H awards celebration.

Consent: Motion by Mach and seconded by Street to approve the consent agenda. Motion carried 4-0.

1. Approve applying for the FY2023 Weed Grant

2. Approve items to be declared surplus – list on file in the Auditor’s Office

Claims: Motion by Mach and seconded by Buttke to approve the claims as presented with the addition of a second payment for the 4-H building in the amount of $374,833.96 to WS Construction and payment to Advantage Archives in the amount of $26,950.00. Motion carried 4-0. ADVANTAGE ARCHIVES, prof services 26,950.00; AVERA QUEEN OF PEACE, health services 73.00; BANNER, hwy proj 23,821.45; BIERSCHBACH EQUIPMENT, repairs 95.70; BITUMINOUS PAVING, overlay 30,277.00; CENTER POINT, books 484.15; CHS, ethanol 2,100.40; CITY OF MILBANK, water & sewer 510.99; COLONIAL RESEARCH CHEMICAL, supplies 269.28; CONSOLIDATED READY MIX, seal coat 8,764.22; CREATIVE CO, books 229.50; DELORIS RUFER, lib rent 100.00; DUANE ATHEY, prof services 150.00; FORCE AMERICA DISTRIBUTING, repairs & maint 928.81; GRANT COUNTY REVIEW, publishing 1,051.42; GRANT/ROBERTS AMBULANCE, allocation 2,458.33; JACK'S BODY SHOP, repairs & maint 337.00; MCLEOD'S, supplies 89.92; MICROMARKETING, audio/visuals 131.70; MIDAMERICA BOOKS, books 343.20; MIDCONTINENT, library internet 85.00; NEWMAN SIGNS, supplies 276.91; NORTHWESTERN ENERGY, natural gas 102.34; REGENCY MIDWEST VENTURES, motel 937.00; RIVER STREET PETROLEUM, diesel fuel 5,116.54; SANFORD HEALTH, prof services 2,100.00; SCANTRON, prof services 411.25; SCOTT BRATLAND, court appt atty 4,088.98; SD HISTORICAL SOCIETY, books 118.92; TRAFFIC SOLUTIONS, hwy proj 29,406.40; TWIN VALLEY TIRE, tires 3,256.50; TYLER TECHNOLOGIES, computer software 449.00; VALLEY RENTAL & RECYCLING, allocation 650.00; WEST CENTRAL COMMUNICATION, prof services 2,549.37; WS LEASING, 4H building 374,833.96. TOTAL: $523,548.24.

Payroll for the following departments and offices for the October 28, 2021, payroll are as follows: COMMISSIONERS 3,223.90; AUDITOR 8,091.12; ELECTION 650.69; TREASURER 5,344.37; STATES ATTORNEY 6,051.42; CUSTODIANS 2,998.94; DIR. OF EQUALIZATION 4,057.89; REG. OF DEEDS 4,018.29; VET. SERV. OFFICER 1,171.50; SHERIFF 13,258.07; COMMUNICATION CTR 6,944.20; PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE 973.50; ICAP 120.18; VISITING NEIGHBOR 1,785.98; LIBRARY 7,255.13; 4-H 3,518.95; WEED CONTROL 2,035.73; P & Z 1,102.00; Drainage 570.00; ROAD & BRIDGE 32,554.86; EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 2,496.00. TOTAL: $108,222.72.

Payroll Claims: FIRST BANK & TRUST, Fed WH 8,297.27; FIRST BANK & TRUST, FICA WH & Match 13,120.80; FIRST BANK & TRUST, Medicare WH & Match 3,068.58; AAA COLLECTIONS, deduction 33.42; ACCOUNTS MANAGEMENT, deduction 98.05; AMERICAN FAMILY LIFE, AFLAC ins. 1,468.71; WELLMARK-BLUE CROSS OF SD, Employee and Commission health ins. 50,079.53; COLONIAL LIFE, ins 37.98; DEARBORN NATIONAL, life ins. 272.04; LEGAL SHIELD, deduction 76.70; OFFICE OF CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT, child support 210.00; OPTILEGRA, ins 423.10; SDRS SUPPLEMENTAL, deduction 1,369.33; SDRS, retire 12,304.01. TOTAL: $90,859.52.

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 November 16 and December 7, 21 and 30, 2021, at 8 AM. Motion by Buttke and seconded by Mach to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 4-0. Meeting adjourned.

 /s/ William J. Tostenson, Chairman,

Grant County Commission

/s/ Karen M. Layher, 

Grant County Auditor