Grant County Commission Proceedings

Published by admin on Fri, 05/29/2026 - 4:47pm

May 5, 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 Stengel and seconded by Tostenson to approve April 21, 2026, minutes requesting the change of wording on the motor grader quote to motor grader bid from Sourcewell. Motion carried 5-0. Commissioner Tostenson asked to add discussion of initiated measures, referendums and transmission lines. Motion by Hoff and seconded by Street to approve the agenda with the revisions stated. Motion carried 5-0.

Present from the public was Drew Peterson. Staff members present were Commissioner Assistant Owen, Drainage Officer Berkner, States Attorney Schwandt, Sheriff Steffensen, Deputy Bowsher, and 4-H Educator Mueller.

Public Comment: Chairman Mach called for public comment three times. There were no comments.

P & Z/Drainage: Fees: Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Street to approve a drainage permit extension fee of $300 for a one-time one-year drainage permit extension for any drainage design scheme as per Section 323 and $300 for an amendment to a valid permitted drainage design as per Section 324. Motion carried 5-0. Investigator: Motion by Street and seconded by Hoff to appoint the Grant County Sheriff’s Department as the drainage investigator for complaints regarding Section 320 of the Drainage Ordinance. Motion carried 5-0.

Powerline Setbacks: Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Street to have the P & Z Board look at North Dakota’s transmission line setbacks. Motion carried 5-0.

Initiated Measures/Referendum: States Attorney Schwandt explained the differences of a referendum process versus an initiated measure process.

Sheriff: Sheriff Steffensen and Deputy Bowsher gave a K9 update and discussed initiating a jail contract to house Deuel County inmates at the new jail. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to retire and declare surplus asset #11061. Motion carried 5-0.

SB 96: The Commission had a lengthy discussion on Senate Bill 96. They stated their options are to pass it, do nothing or pass it with a lower tax rate. Currently, the Commission is not in favor of SB 96.

4-H: Commissioner Hoff stated the 4-H Complex cameras locations can still be changed. 4-H Educator Mueller advised that due to HIPPA rules the cameras cannot be used during blood drives. Stengel stressed it is important to have the cameras to protect the Shooting Sports participants and from potential lawsuits. The estimate from Safe-N-Secure is $10,767.46 for the cameras and installation. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to approve the cash transfer of $10,767.46 out of reserve account Assigned for Government Buildings to General Fund Unassigned to fund the 4-H cameras. Chairman Mach called for the vote. Motion carried 5-0.

FROM TO AMOUNT

101-276.88 Assigned Gov’t Bldgs

101 GF Gov’t Bldg Unassigned 10,767.46

Executive Session: Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Street to enter executive session at 10:08 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 Mueller and Auditor Folk were present. Chairman Mach declared the meeting open to the public at 11:14 a.m. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to approve hiring two part-time summer interns for the 4-H program, Cailey Sime and Bailey Schwagel, for two days a week each at $18.00 per hour. Motion carried 5-0.

Travel: Motion by Stengel and seconded by Street to approve travel expenses for Deputy States Attorney Mark Reedstrom to attend the States Attorney conference in Deadwood. Motion carried 5-0.

County Assistance: None

DCS Communications: Commissioner Assistant Owen stated the estimate to move and install the current jail radio counsel to the new jail is $16,572. Motion by Stengel and seconded by Tostenson to approve the estimate from DCS Communications for $16,572 to move and install the current jail radio counsel to the new jail. Motion carried 5-0.

Lien: Motion by Hoff and seconded by Street to approve an administrative lien release on account number 008591 in the amount of $98,103.17 due to the defendant is deceased as ordered by Third Circuit Judge Dawn Elshere. Motion carried 5-0.

Township Bonds: Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to approve the filing of the Towns and Townships Clerk and Treasurer bonds in the Auditor’s office. Motion carried 5-0.

Unfinished Business: None

New Business: None

Correspondence: Commissioner Assistant Owen informed the Commissioners of notices from the Dept. of Ag & Natural Resources, Federal Aviation Administration, and the cost to install a water meter at the 4-H barn.

Claims: Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Hoff to approve the claims. Motion carried 5-0. AUTOVALUE, supplies 180.56; CENGAGE LEARNING, books 54.24; CENTER POINT, books 151.98; CITY OF MILBANK, water & sewer 911.27; CODY KELLY, prof services 370.00; DAKOTA POWER EQUIPMENT, supplies 47.98; DEADWOOD RESORTS, motel 285.00; DEMCO, supplies 1,170.00; ELECTION SYSTEMS & SOFTWARE, prof services 664.00; FISHER SAND & GRAVEL, gravel 2,061.46; FLAT RATE, gravel 17,373.74; FOELL PC, health services 800.00; G A JOHNSON CONSTRUCTION, prof services 237,714.71; GRAJCZYK LAW OFFICE, court appt atty 3,700.00; GRANT COUNTY REVIEW, publishing 107.25; GRANT CO TREASURER, cash transfer 4,100.00; GRANT-ROBERTS RURAL WATER, water usage 42.40; IMPERIAL SUPPLIES, supplies 182.15; INNOVATIVE BENEFIT CONSULTANT, insurance 35,000.00; JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL, parts 41.69; LARRY’S REFRIGERATION, repair & maint 970.49; LEWIS FAMILY DRUG, supplies 42.43; THE LIBRARY STORE, supplies 869.68; MICHAEL GINGERICH, prof services 1,250.00; MICHELLE GAIKOWSKI, prof services 102.00; MICROFILM IMAGING SYSTEMS, rentals 917.00; MIDCO, lib internet 131.31; NASASP, dues 39.00; NORTHWESTERN ENERGY, natural gas 1,132.47; QUICK PRO LUBE, repair & maint 198.95; RELX, online charges 801.00; ROBERTS CO SHERIFF, inmate housing 12,865.00; SANDRA FONDER, prof services 75.00; SECUR SERV, prof services 827.52; SD ASSN CO COMMISSIONERS, clerp 3,991.00; SD DEPT OF HEALTH, blabs 365.00; SD DEPT TRANSPORTATION, hwy projects 1,479.95; SD SECRETARY OF STATE, insurance 30.00; STEVEN MOGARD, prof services 500.00; TRACY KURTZ, prof services 600.00; TRAPP PLUMBING, repair & maint 88.74; WAYDE FRAASCH, prof services 600.00. TOTAL: $328,734.97.

Payroll for the following departments and offices for April 28, 2026, payroll is as follows: COMMISSIONERS 8,038.32; AUDITOR 10,170.74; ELECTION 1,611.60; TREASURER 7,526.35; STATES ATTORNEY 9,016.12; CUSTODIANS 4,334.00; DIR. OF EQUALIZATION 4,813.60; REG. OF DEEDS 6,829.53; VET. SERV. OFFICER 832.20; SHERIFF 15,708.61; COMMUNICATION CTR 11,508.97; VISITING NEIGHBOR 2,246.19; LIBRARY 9,720.46; 4-H 4,415.04; WEED CONTROL 2,410.50; P&Z 1,152.00; DRAINAGE 996.00; ROAD & BRIDGE 37,141.80; EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 2,778.98. TOTAL: $141,251.01.

Payroll Claims: FIRST BANK & TRUST, Fed WH 10,352.18; FIRST BANK & TRUST, FICA WH & Match 16,978.74; FIRST BANK & TRUST, Medicare WH & Match 3,970.88; ACCOUNTS MANAGEMENT, deduction 96.88; AMERICAN FAMILY LIFE, AFLAC ins. 1,968.61; RELIANCE STANDARD LIFE DENTAL & VISION, ins. 894.77; LEGALSHIELD, ins. 38.85; MASA, ins. 344.00; WELLMARK-BLUE CROSS OF SD, Employee health ins. 53,265.55; RELIANCE STANDARD SUPPLEMENTAL, life ins. 504.27; OFFICE OF CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT, child support 2,333.00; SDRS SUPPLEMENTAL, deduction 2,460.83; SDRS, retire 16,055.33. TOTAL: $109,263.89.

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

1. Six-month wage increase for Jonathan Ransom to $24.60 effective 4-27-2026.

2. Six-month wage increase for Adam Liens to $24.20 effective 5-3-2026.

3. Six-month wage increase for Araceli Zuniga to $18.85 effective 4-11-2026.

4. Declare surplus HP laptop Elite Book.

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 May 19, and June 4 and 16, 2026, at 8 a.m. in the basement Commissioner room. Please use the elevator. Motion by Stengel and seconded by Street to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned.

/s/Michael J. Mach,

Chairman,

Grant County Commissioners

/s/ Kathy Folk,

Grant County Auditor