Grant County Commission Proceedings
Grant County Commission Proceedings
April 7, 2026
The Grant County Commission met at 8 a.m. with Commissioners Street, Mach, Stengel, Tostenson, and Hoff present. Chairman Mach called the meeting to order. Motion by Hoff and seconded by Tostenson to approve March 17 and 26, 2026, minutes. Motion carried 5-0. Motion by Stengel and seconded by Street to approve the agenda. Commissioner Assistant Owen asked to add approval of bid letting for two BIG grants to the agenda. Motion by Stengel and seconded by Tostenson to amend the original motion and approve the agenda with the addition stated. Motion carried 5-0.
Present from the public were Todd Langston, Derek Nelson, Eric Anderson, Ashlynn Lamp, Tim Stengel, Annie O’Brien, Christian Reimche, Bert Loehrer, Dillon Dwyer, Traci Stein, Steve Pendergrass, Stephanie Folk, David Hicks, Eric Pulling, Hilary Vetse, Susan Sime, Ron Marko, Andrea Bohn, Jorge Wieting, Grace Greiner, and Rosie Nold. Staff members present were Commissioner Assistant Owen, Drainage Officer Berkner, States Attorney Schwandt, Hwy Supt Peterson, Sheriff Steffensen, 4-H Educator Mueller, and DOE Stotesbery.
Public Comment: Chairman Mach called for public comment three times. Bert Loehrer and Annie O’Brian spoke about their concerns regarding the proposed transmission lines. Chairman Mach closed the public comment.
Drainage: Chairman Mach adjourned the Board of Commissioners and convened the Commission acting as the Drainage Board.
Drainage Permit Fee Schedule: Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Hoff to approve the three drainage permit fee levels of A, B, and C. Drainage Officer Berkner presented the proposed changes to the drainage permit fee schedule. Level A is a $300 combined fee for any related closed drainage scheme, regardless of the number of parcels, with a combined lateral tile footprint of 15 acres or less using a single common out letting tile no bigger than 6”. Tostenson stated this proposal was originally overlooked and came up after the drainage committee’s meetings. Level B is $300 per parcel fee for any parcel with a lateral tile footprint of 15 acres or less that is part of a larger multi-parcel drainage design of 15.01 total acres or more. Level C is $500 for each parcel of 15.01 acres or more seeking a drainage permit.
The Commission discussed the fees at length. Street suggested going back to the graduated fee schedule system. Tostenson wants to look at the cost per acre and price of the permit. Tostenson motioned to call the question for approving the new drainage permit fees for Level A, B, and C. Chairman Mach called three times for a second to the motion. The motion died for lack of a second. Discussion continued. Tostenson amended his original motion to only approve Level B and C permit fees. Hoff seconded the amended motion. Chairman Mach called for the vote. Motion carried 5-0. Mach asked if the Commission wants to send Level A back to the drainage committee for discussion. Stengel recommended it and to have the results of their meeting brought back to the Commission.
Permit DR2026-02 for Ferdinand Zirbel located in S1/2 SE 1/4 of Section 9 in Blooming Valley Township.
Chairman Mach called for a motion to approve DR2026-02 for Ferdinand Zirbel. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to approve permit DR2026-02.
Drainage Officer Berkner reported the drainage permit is for tiling approximately 40 acres located in the Big Sioux River Watershed. The project would include two terraced-inlets, located along 146th Street, and one 12” outlet that would empty into a USGS designated blue-line waterway. By using the 3/8-inch drainage co-efficient formula (DCF) the lateral tile design could flow as much as 300 gpm. The amount of water drained may flow at a higher rate at times due to the two open inlets. Berkner stated it is his opinion that the drainage project conforms to the county’s drainage ordinance.
Zirbel was not present. Chairman Mach opened the public hearing for DR2026-02 asking three separate times for comments in favor or against the drainage project. No one responded. Mach closed the public hearing and invited drainage board discussion. After brief drainage board discussion Mach called for the vote. Motion carried 5-0.
Permit DR2026-03 for Dustin Nelson located in the NE1/4 of Section 34, Township 120, Range 52 in Mazeppa Township.
Chairman Mach called for a motion to approve DR2026-03 for Dustin Nelson. Motion by Street and seconded by Hoff to approve permit DR2026-03.
Berkner reported the project is re-permitting DR2023-16 that was not completed within the required two-year time frame. The project is for a 100-acre tile project located in the Big Sioux River Watershed. The design includes four outlets, three 8” and one 12”, that will drain into three separate USGS designated blue-line waterways and by using the 3/8-inch DCF the lateral tile design could flow at an estimated maximum rate of 1,000 gpm. It is Berkner’s opinion that the drainage project conforms to the county’s drainage ordinance.
Chairman Mach asked Nelson for any additional comments. Derek Nelson confirmed there were no changes to the original design. Mach opened the public hearing asking three times for comments in favor or against the project. No one responded. Mach closed the public hearing inviting drainage board discussion. After brief discussion, Mach called for the vote. Motion carried 5-0.
Permit DR2026-04a, DR2026-04b, DR2026-04c, and DR2026-04d for Tim Stengel located in the N1/2 and SW1/4 of Section 35 in Melrose Township.
Chairman Mach called for a motion to approve DR2026-04a – 04d for Tim Stengel. Motioned by Hoff and seconded by Tostenson to approve permits DR2026-04a – 04d.
Berkner said the drainage permits are for tiling 22 acres located across four separate parcels within the N1/2 and SW1/4 of Section 35 located in the Whetstone River Watershed. The project would include two terraced inlets and two 6” outlets that would empty into the same USGS designated blue-line waterway. By using the 3/8-inch DCF the lateral drainage tile design could flow as much as 140 gpm. The amount of water drained may flow at a slightly higher rate due to the two inlets. Berkner said it is his opinion that the drainage projects conform to the county’s drainage ordinance.
Chairman Mach asked Tim Stengel for any additional comments. Tim said he is concerned about the overall cost of his permit as it is 20 acres of tile, but the permitting fee is high because it covered four separate parcels. Mach opened the public hearing for DR2026-04a – 04d asking three separate times for comments in favor or against the projects. No one responded. Berkner explained that the previous two drainage permits for 40 acres and 100 acres respectively were charged $500 each because their drainage improvement footprints were contained within one legal parcel. Tim Stengel’s permitting fee was four times as much or $500 for each of the four parcels receiving drainage improvements.
Chairman Mach opened the public hearing asking three separate times for comments in favor or against the project. No one responded. Mach closed the public hearing inviting drainage board discussion. Street said he understood Tim Stengel’s concerns about the cost of his drainage permit, but the benefit to his crop acreage would eventually pay for its costs. Tostenson said he felt the argument made by Tim Stengel warranted the county reconsider its drainage permitting fees as they relate to the much smaller drainage projects that happen to occupy multiple legal parcels. States Attorney Schwandt stated that any current or future discussion, to consider a possible lower drainage permit fee schedule for smaller drainage design schemes would be moot in this case as county policy requires all fees for drainage permitting are determined and due when the drainage officer starts working on any drainage project. With no more discussion, Chairman Mach called for the vote. Motion carried 4-0 with Doug Stengel abstaining.
Permits DR2026-05a, DR2026-05b, and DR2026-05c for Eric Anderson located in the NE1/4 of Section 8, and the N1/2 of Section 9 in Vernon West Township.
Chairman Mach called for a motion to approve permits DR2026-05a – 05c for Eric Anderson for a drainage project located in the North Branch of the Yellow Bank River Watershed. Motion by Street and seconded by Tostenson to approve permits DR2026-05a – 05c.
Berkner reported the projects are for approximately 200-acres of lateral tile as well as two terraced inlets and four outlets, two 6”, one 8” and one 12”. The estimated maximum design capacity of lateral tile draining through four separate out letting mains would be 1,100 gpm using the 3/8-inch DCF, but the open inlets may add to the peak discharge rate. Berkner stated it is his opinion that the project’s design conforms to the county’s drainage ordinance.
Chairman Mach asked Anderson for any additional comments. Anderson said the project is coordinated between three separate landowners; Lowell Boe, David Schneck, and himself. Mach opened the public hearing asking three separate times for comments in favor or against the project. No one responded. Mach closed the public hearing inviting board discussion. Street said he had met with Anderson and felt that it has a very well thought out design and he likes to see neighbors working together on drainage projects. With no more discussion, Mach called for the vote. Motion carried 5-0.
This concluded the business of the Drainage Board. Chairman Mach adjourned the Drainage Board and reconvened as the Board of Commissioners.
EMF Readings: Commissioner Hoff discussed EMF readings from the March 26 Commission meeting and gave a presentation of his research of existing KV powerlines in our region.
Powerline Setbacks: Chairman Mach said the P & Z Board will have a meeting on Monday, April 13 at 4 p.m. and will have on their agenda powerline setbacks. Commissioner Street said he has the MISO large power lines crossing his property in southeast Grant County and hasn’t seen any bad effects from it.
Omitted Property Hearing: The hearing to add omitted property to the 2026 assessment year was held at 9:30 a.m. Parcel 25.01.05.20: Big Stone Commons LLC owner, Stephanie Folk, was present. The property is the former Big Stone City School which was purchased by the new owner on 7-28-2025 and became taxable on 8-1-2025. The prorated taxes from 8-1-2025 to 12-31-2025 are $7,204.66. Folk stated she is applying to be a 501(c)(3) organization, but it is a long process. She has several businesses renting space in the building but is not making a profit yet with all the costs of the building maintenance. Motion by Stengel and seconded by Tostenson to re-examine the omitted property at the August 4th Commission meeting after Folk has owned the property for more than a year. Motion carried 5-0. Parcel 26.45.00.11: The appellants were not present. The lot was purchased from a tax-exempt entity by the new owner on 7-25-2025 and became taxable on 8-1-2025. Motion by Street and seconded by Hoff to add the assessed value of $40,131 and taxes of $264.00 to the new property owner based on the taxable date of 8-1-2025. Motion carried 4-0 with Tostenson recusing himself from the vote. Parcel 26.45.00.15A: The appellants were not present. The lot was purchased from a tax-exempt entity by the new owner on 10-17-2025 and became taxable. Motion by Stengel and seconded by Street to add the assessed value of $102,072 and taxes of $343.20 to the new owner based on the taxable date of 10-17-2025. Motion carried 4-0 with Tostenson recusing himself from the vote. Parcel 26.18.04.06: The appellants were not present. The property was purchased from an exempt owner by the new owner on 6-20-2025 and became taxable. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to add the assessed value of $152,107 and taxes of $1,076.86 to the new owner based on the taxable date of 6-20-2025. Motion carried 5-0. Parcel 26.27.10.06: The appellant was not present. The property became taxable on 7-18-2025 since it was no longer used as a parsonage. Motion by Stengel and seconded by Street to add the assessed value of $252,126 and taxes of $1,811.44 to the owner. Motion carried 5-0.
SDSU 4-H Director: Rosie Nold reviewed the 4-H volunteer policy and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between SDSU and Grant County. Nold stated the County is in compliance with Shooting Sports training and has strict guidelines for equipment, storage, volunteers and fundraising. In most counties the Shooting Sports Council is part of the 4-H Leaders, which is not the case in Grant County. The Shooting Sports Council can choose to be an affiliate of 4-H. Nold would like to see 4-H and Shooting Sports come together as one and have someone from outside the county facilitate that.
Executive Session: Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Street to enter executive session at 10:50 a.m. for the purpose of a personnel issue(s), per SDCL 1-25-2(1). Motion carried 5-0. Commissioner Assistant Owen, 4-H Educator Melissa Mueller, Shooting Sports President David Hicks, and Auditor Folk were present. Chairman Mach declared the meeting open to the public at 12:48 a.m. No action was taken because of the executive session.
Travel: Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to approve travel expenses for Sheriff Deputies Wes Bowsher and Deven Weinkauf to attend narcotics training in Deadwood. Motion carried 5-0.
County Assistance: Commissioner Assistant Owen is currently working on an application.
Auditor Server: Commissioner Assistant Owen stated the auditor’s computer server is 7.5 years old, full and out of date. Cost to increase the storage is $1,678.34. A new server will be needed after 2026 at a cost of $20,000. Motion by Street and seconded by Tostenson to approve the purchase to increase the auditor’s server storage for $1,678.34. Motion carried 5-0.
Jail Change Order: Commissioner Assistant Owen presented a change order bid from GA Johnson Construction of $7,314 to add 325 sq ft of sidewalk to the west side of the jail. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Hoff to approve the sidewalk change order of $7,314. Motion carried 5-0.
Highway Annual Bid Letting: Supt Peterson presented the bids for consideration from the annual highway bid letting. They were received and opened on March 19, 2026, at 1 p.m. as per the bid notice. The Commission awarded the following bids.
1. Precast Concrete Pipes, Box Culverts and Bridge Deck Units
Rinker Rates on file
Cemcast Rates on file
Motion by Stengel and seconded by Street to accept bids from both Rinker and Cemcast. Motion carried 5-0.
2. Pea Gravel for Chip Sealing: No bids received.
3. Class 5 Gravel: Flat Rate was the only bidder at $7.75 per ton. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Street to accept the bid from Flat Rate. Motion carried 5-0.
4. Pit Gravel: No bids received.
5. Pea Rock 3/8 inch minus for chip sealing, 6000 ton +/-:
LG Everist $13.05 per ton.
Northern Con-Agg $7.65 per ton.
Motion by Street and seconded by Hoff to accept bids from both LG Everist and Northern Con-Agg. Motion carried 5-0.
6. Paver Laid Asphalt for 28 miles, includes 3 locations: Bituminous was the only bidder at $750.00 per ton for chip seal oil and seal coat aggregate $37.00 per ton. Motion by Stengel and seconded by Hoff to accept the Bituminous bids for chip seal oil and seal coat aggregate. Motion carried 5-0.
7. Asphalt Patching as needed with and without digouts. Price per ton:
Bituminous was the only bidder for $175.00 per ton. Motion by Street and seconded by Tostenson to accept the Bituminous bid. Motion carried 5-0.
8. Asphalt FOB. Price per ton:
Bituminous $85.00 per ton.
Duininck $80.50 per ton
Type D, $83.50 per ton Type E, $175.00
per ton Cold Mix
Motion by Stengel and seconded by Hoff to accept bids from both Bituminous and Duininck. Motion carried 5-0.
9. One (1) new 150 size FWA road grader with Balderson front lift group, posted snow wing and joy stick control: Sourcewell quotes for road graders were received from Butler CAT and RDO Equipment, to be reviewed and accepted or rejected at the April 21 meeting.
HWY: Motion by Street and seconded by Stengel to approve bid letting for the two BIG grant structures 26-310-149 and 26-277-230. Chairman Mach called for the vote. Motion carried 5-0.
Land Leases: Motion by Stengel and seconded by Tostenson to approve the land leases to Moes Feedlot and Mielitz Brothers for 2026. Motion carried 5-0.
Copier Agreement: Commissioner Assistant Owen stated the County has three copier leases that are up at the end of the month. He received proposals from two companies and recommended leasing our copiers from Valley Office Products who had the lower proposal and the service rep is closer. Motion by Hoff and seconded by Street to approve three copier leases from Valley Office Products. Chairman Mach called for the vote. Motion carried 5-0.
Unfinished Business: None
New Business: The Commission discussed installing cameras at the 4-H Complex.
Correspondence: Commissioner Assistant Owen gave information on the Otter Tail open houses in the area and a letter from a 4-H leader. Auditor Folk said The Abbey of the Hills sent the County notification they are conducting an online raffle which is required by SDCL 22-25-25.
Claims: Motion by Stengel and seconded by Tostenson to approve the claims with the addition of Food-N-Fuel $420 for meeting meals and Grant County Treasurer $27.80 for license plates. Motion carried 5-0. 15 HOTEL GROUP, motel 220.00; AL’S BODY SHOP, repair & maint 250.00; CENTER POINT, books 403.13; CITY OF MILBANK, water & sewer 681.60; CITY OF WATERTOWN, non-emergency dispatch 6,000.00; CLEAR CHOICE CLEANING, prof services 2,200.00; CORRIE QUALE, supplies 15.00; CRAIG DEBOER, car wash card 57.68; CUMMINS, repair & maint 1,311.70; DEADWOOD RESORTS, motel 945.00; DEPT OF AG & NATURAL RESOURCES, dues 800.00; FIRST BANK & TRUST/VISA, battery backups, monitors, supplies, gas 3,721.35; FOOD & FUEL, inmate meals, meeting meal 491.50; G & R CONTROLS, repair & maint 10.71; G A JOHNSON CONSTRUCTION, prof services 204,642.65; GALLS, supplies 113.52; GRAJCZYK LAW OFFICE, court appt atty 3,700.00; GRANT CO EC & DEV BOARD, allocation 7,750.00; GRANT COUNTY REVIEW, publishing 1,131.36; GRANT COUNTY TREASURER, title & license 28.70; GRANT-ROBERTS RURAL WATER, water usage 52.80; HASSLEN CONSTRUCTION, contracted proj 10,600.00; LEWIS FAMILY DRUG, supplies 507.99; LSQ FUNDING GROUP, prof services 3,901.62; MIDCO, lib internet 131.31; MILBANK AREA HOSPITAL AVERA, blabs 438.00; NORTHWESTERN ENERGY, natural gas 1,474.48; OTTER TAIL POWER, electricity 2,489.21; PETERS DISTRIBUTING, prof services 4,201.09; QUICK PRO LUBE, repair & maint 413.97; RC TECHNOLOGIES, 911 transport & tower rent 95.96; RELX, online charges 801.00; ROBERTS CO SHERIFF, inmate housing 830.00; RUNNINGS, supplies 962.13; SAFETY-KLEEN SYSTEMS, supplies 264.72; SECUR SERV, prof services 14,070.68; SD DEPT OF HEALTH, blabs 150.00; SD PUB ASSURANCE ALLIANCE, insurance 2,009.22; THE SHOP, repair & maint 1,398.25; ST WILLIAMS CARE CENTER, inmate laundry 135.00; THE ARTCRAFT GROUP, supplies 150.00; TRAPP PLUMBING COMPANY, repair & maint 276.42; TRI-STATE WATER, supplies 43.20; VALLEY SHOPPER, supplies 31.86; WHETSTONE VALLEY ELECTRIC, electricity 1,043.01; XEROX, copier rent 204.83. TOTAL: $281,150.65.
Payroll for the following departments and offices for March 27, 2026, payroll is as follows: COMMISSIONERS 11,891.15, AUDITOR 10,035.77, ELECTION 551.03, TREASURER 6,715.53, STATES ATTORNEY 8,845.72, CUSTODIANS 3,940.00, DIR. OF EQUALIZATION 4,376.00, REG. OF DEEDS 6,511.66, VET. SERV. OFFICER 832.20, SHERIFF 15,838.41, COMMUNICATION CTR 12,274.97, VISITING NEIGHBOR 1,726.01, LIBRARY 9,741.38, 4-H 4,463.09, WEED CONTROL 2,147.00, P&Z 1,296.00, DRAINAGE 624.00, ROAD & BRIDGE 33,716.69, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 3,007.80. TOTAL: $138,534.41.
Payroll Claims: FIRST BANK & TRUST, Fed WH 10,013.44; FIRST BANK & TRUST, FICA WH & Match 16,638.48; FIRST BANK & TRUST, Medicare WH & Match 3,891.26; ACCOUNTS MANAGEMENT, deduction 114.47; AMERICAN FAMILY LIFE, AFLAC ins. 1,980.37; RELIANCE STANDARD LIFE DENTAL & VISION, ins. 902.27; WELLMARK-BLUE CROSS OF SD, Employee health ins. 53,265.55; RELIANCE STANDARD SUPPLEMENTAL, life ins. 506.47; MASA, air ambulance 352.00; LEGAL SHIELD, deduction 38.85; OFFICE OF CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT, child support 2,708.00; SDRS SUPPLEMENTAL, deduction 2,485.83; SDRS, retire 15,780.96. TOTAL: $108,677.95.
Consent Agenda: Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to approve the consent agenda. Motion carried 5-0.
1. Six-month wage, step increase for Maylee Dirden to $22.85 effective 4-06-2026.
2. Step 3 wage increase for Renae Buttke to $21.00 effective 4-01-2026.
3. Six-month wage increase for Adam Kvam to $23.80 effective on 01-28-2026.
4. Six-month wage increase for Casey Dahl to $23.80 effective on 02-04-2026.
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 April 14 (Equalization) and 21, and May 5 and 19, 2026, at 8 a.m. in the basement Commissioner room. Please use the elevator. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned.
/s/Michael J. Mach,
Chairman,
Grant County Commissioners
/s/ Kathy Folk,
Grant County Auditor
