Grant County Commission Proceedings
Grant County Commission Proceedings
July 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 Tostenson and seconded by Street to approve June 16, 2026, minutes. Motion carried 5-0. Motion by Street and seconded by Hoff to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0.
Present from the public were Mark Junker, Drew Peterson, Dillon Dwyer, Amy Sis, Arlo and Paulette Levisen, Traci Stein, Josh Wendland, Steve Wenzl, Kathy Holman, and Terry Hoffman. Staff members present were Drainage Officer Berkner, States Attorney Schwandt, Hwy Supt. Peterson, Deputy Auditor Karrasch and DOE Stotesbery.
Public Comment: Chairman Mach called for public comment three times. There were none. Chairman Mach closed the public comment.
Sheriff’s Office: Statistics for the month of May 2026 for the Sheriff’s office were presented by report. Average Daily inmate population 1.38; Number of bookings 7; Work release money collected $0.00; 2㬵夠䱁⁅䕍䡃乁䍉䱁敲慰物☠洠楡瑮㐠㘶㈮⸰ Test (PBT) fees collected $330.00; SCRAM (alcohol detecting bracelet) fees collected $0.00; 24/7 PBT participants 3; SCRAM (Sobriety Program) participants 0; UA participants 0; Calls for Service (does not include walk-in traffic) 233; Accidents investigated 6; Civil papers served 56; Cumulative miles traveled 13,193; 911 calls responded to (including Milbank) 102.
P&Z: Officer Berkner gave an update. Their next meeting will be July 21st. Todd Kays with First District will have a model for ordinance setbacks for transmission lines and data centers at the meeting. Grant Center Township have expressed their concerns with the Grant County Development Corporation’s drainage plan to Berkner’s office. The Whetstone River Restoration plan was also discussed.
BIG Grants: Mark Junker with Banner Associates requested applications for two hydraulic studies for bridges 26-240-068 and 26-281-180, to be signed for the County to pay 20% of the cost of the study. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Street to approve Chairman Mach to sign the two hydraulic study applications. Motion carried 5-0. Junker also requested applications for two design studies for bridges 26-296-020 and 26-380-083 to be signed. There will be no cost to the County for the two design study projects which federal funding is anticipated for in the future. Motion by Street and seconded by Stengel to approve Chairman Mach to sign the two design only projects for 26-296-020 and 26-380-083. Motion carried 5-0. Commissioner Tostenson amended his motion to approve Chairman Mach to sign the two hydraulic study applications with a 20% match for bridges 26-240-068 and 26-281-180. Commission- er Street seconded the amended motion. Chairman Mach called for the vote. Motion carried 5-0.
SB 96: Discussion was held on Senate Bill 96. There are still a lot of unknowns with this program. Chairman Mach would like to have a meeting or conference call with the Department of Revenue to answer their questions. Many counties are in a wait and see period to see what happens with the counties that implement the tax. The Commission would like to have community input on this decision.
Travel: None
County Assistance: None
Unfinished Business: None
New Business: None
Correspondence: Auditor Folk said the Lake Region District meeting will be July 15 in Brown County. Folk also reminded them to register for the Fall County Convention in September. Chairman Mach stated a three-year waste transfer agreement was received.
Jail Change Order: Chairman Mach said one camera was missed in the new jail building estimate. GA Johnson Construction submitted a change order for $2,929 for the purchase and installation of the camera. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to approve the jail camera change order of $2,929. Chairman Mach called for the vote. Motion carried 5-0.
Post Election Audit: Auditor Folk presented the results of the Post Election Audit for the June 2, 2026, primary election. The State Representative District 4 and U.S. Representative races in precincts Milbank 3-1 and #46 Grant Center Township were audited by a three-person board. After hand counting the ballots, the results of both races and precincts matched the election night tabulator count and county canvass with 100% accuracy.
ROD: Motion by Stengel and seconded by Hoff to approve Register of Deeds Vickie Gulley’s wage from hourly pay to a salaried pay effective 6-22-2026. Chairman Mach called for the vote. Motion carried 5-0.
Claims: Motion by Street and seconded by Stengel to approve the claims. Motion carried 5-0. ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, supplies 49.99; AGC OF SOUTH DAKOTA, prof services 400.00; AL’S BODY SHOP, repair & maint 150.00; AUSTIN, STRAIT, BENSON, THOLE, KOEHN, court appt atty 1,960.54; AUTOVALUE, supplies 167.97; AVERA MCKENNAN, health services 37.70; BIG STONE CITY, election rental 25.00; BITUMINOUS PAVING, asphalt patching 571,709.58; BLUE CROSS OF SOUTH DAKOTA, insurance 417.10; CENTER POINT, books 201.36; CENTURY BUSINESS PRODUCTS, copier rent 1,140.43; CITY OF MILBANK, water & sewer 1,038.14; CITY OF WATERTOWN, 911 surcharge 10,629.78; CITY OF WATERTOWN, non-emergency dispatch 6,000.00; CLEAR CHOICE CLEANING, prof services 2,400.00; COLEPAPERS, supplies 551.87; CORRIE QUALE, repair & maint 50.00; DAKOTA GROUP PSYCHOLOGICAL, health services 2,500.00; DAKOTA POWER EQUIPMENT, repair & maint 1,104.51; DAVID HICKS, prof services 8,935.37; ELECTION SYSTEMS & SOFTWARE, election supplies 2,103.84; FEDEX, mailing 23.02; FIRST BANK & TRUST VISA, gas, hotel, supplies, voting booths 7,319.98; FOELL PC, health services 100.00; FOOD & FUEL, inmate meals 218.75; G A JOHNSON CONSTRUCTION, prof services 217,597.09; GANNETT HOLDINGS, subscription 204.34; GRAJCZYK LAW OFFICE, court appt atty 4,018.60; GRANT CO EC & DEV BOARD, allocation 7,750.00; GRANT CO SOIL CONSERVATION, allocation 10,000.00; GRANT COUNTY LIBRARY, supplies 317.78; HMN ARCHITECTS, prof services 5,655.00; INNOVATIVE BENEFIT CONSULTANTS, insurance 3,470.77; JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL, supplies 2.60; KIBBLE EQUIPMENT, repair & maint 702.12; KRISTY LIEBE, supplies 69.03; LARRY’S REFRIGERATION, repair & maint 5,260.69; LESTER HOSPITALITY, hotel 330.00; LEWIS FAMILY DRUG, supplies 37.92; MARVIN FIRE DEPT, election rental 25.00; MICHAEL GINGERICH, prof services 7,600.00; MICROFILM IMAGING SYSTEMS, rentals 917.00; MIDCO, lib internet 131.31; MITCHELL PRINTING COMPANY, supplies 60.00; MN DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION, tower rent 300.00; MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, repair & maint 11,938.72; NEW TOWNSHIP HALL, election rental 25.00; NEWMAN SIGNS, supplies 818.04; NORTHWESTERN ENERGY, natural gas 89.63; PETERS DISTRIBUTING, repair & maint 4,367.88; QUICK PRO LUBE, repair & maint 158.48; RC TECHNOLOGIES, 911 transport & tower rent 95.96; RELX, online charges 801.00; RICK E BRAMMER, prof services 425.00; ROCKMOUNT RESEARCH & ALLOY, supplies 262.66; SANDRA FONDER, prof services 30.00; SECUR SERV, prof services 7,584.55; SD BUREAU OF ADMINISTRATION, supplies 131.36; SD DEPT OF HEALTH, blabs 185.00; SOUTH DAKOTA UNIFIED JUDICIAL, refund 11.26; ST WILLIAMS CARE CENTER, inmate laundry 93.00; STAR TRIBUNE, subscription 261.72; STOCKHOLM COMMUNITY CTR, election rental 25.00; SUPERIOR CAPITAL HOLDINGS, repair & maint 962.20; THE SHOP, supplies 214.62; TK ELEVATOR CORPORATION, repair & maint 2,650.00; TRANSOURCE TRUCK & EQUIPMENT, supplies 941.62; TRAPP PLUMBING, repair & maint 88.74; TRI-STATE WATER, rental 20.85; TOWN OF TWIN BROOKS, election rental 25.00; TWIN VALLEY TIRE, repair & maint 2,769.00; WHETSTONE VALLEY ELECTRIC, election rental 25.00; WHIMSY ON MAIN, supplies 996.02; XEROX, copier rent 18.65; YALE MECHANICAL, repair & maint 466.20. TOTAL: $920,166.34.
Payroll for the following departments and offices for May 28, 2026, payroll is as follows: COMMISSIONERS 8,038.32; AUDITOR 9,445.69; ELECTION 1,884.15; TREASURER 7,105.59; STATES ATTORNEY 9,016.12; CUSTODIANS 4,181.30; DIR. OF EQUALIZATION 4,641.72; REG. OF DEEDS 6,829.53; VET. SERV. OFFICER 832.20; SHERIFF 16,021.61; COMMUNICATION CTR 12,001.52; VISITING NEIGHBOR 1,989.68; LIBRARY 9,196.33; 4-H 3,437.84; WEED CONTROL 2,905.40; P&Z 1,536.00; DRAINAGE 720.00; ROAD & BRIDGE 38,462.92; EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 2,732.40. TOTAL: $140,978.32.
Payroll Claims: FIRST BANK & TRUST, Fed WH 10,393.85; FIRST BANK & TRUST, FICA WH & Match 16,946.24; FIRST BANK & TRUST, Medicare WH & Match 3,963.26; ACCOUNTS MANAGEMENT, deduction 96.88; AMERICAN FAMILY LIFE, AFLAC ins. 1,957.95; RELIANCE STANDARD LIFE DENTAL & VISION, ins. 894.77; LEGALSHIELD, ins. 38.85; MASA, ins. 344.00; WELLMARK-BLUE CROSS OF SD, Employee health ins. 51,344.61; RELIANCE STANDARD SUPPLEMENTAL, life ins. 504.27; OFFICE OF CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT, child support 2,333.00; SDRS SUPPLEMENTAL, deduction 2,435.83; SDRS, retire 16,101.93. TOTAL: $107,355.44.
Payroll for the following departments and offices for June 26, 2026, payroll is as follows: COMMISSIONERS 8,038.32; AUDITOR 10,170.66; ELECTION 1,398.30; TREASURER 6,656.73; STATES ATTORNEY 6,458.92; CUSTODIANS 3,940.00; DIR. OF EQUALIZATION 4,376.00; REG. OF DEEDS 4,306.33; VET. SERV. OFFICER 832.20; SHERIFF 28,128.84; COMMUNICATION CTR 13,909.49; VISITING NEIGHBOR 1,978.26; LIBRARY 10,633.00; 4-H 4,584.75; WEED CONTROL 3,061.30; P&Z 5,062.00; DRAINAGE 708.00; ROAD & BRIDGE 32,725.52; EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 2,577.15. TOTAL: $149,545.77.
Payroll Claims: FIRST BANK & TRUST, Fed WH 12,055.68; FIRST BANK & TRUST, FICA WH & Match 18,017.30; FIRST BANK & TRUST, Medicare WH & Match 4,213.74; ACCOUNTS MANAGEMENT, deduction 96.88; AMERICAN FAMILY LIFE, AFLAC ins. 1,902.85; RELIANCE STANDARD LIFE DENTAL & VISION, ins. 865.65; WELLMARK-BLUE CROSS OF SD, Employee health ins. 52,305.08; RELIANCE STANDARD SUPPLEMENTAL, life ins. 490.59; MASA, air ambulance 336.00; LEGAL SHIELD, deduction 25.90; OFFICE OF CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT, child support 1,718.00; SDRS SUPPLEMENTAL, deduction 1,352.50; SDRS, retire 15,793.73. TOTAL: $109,173.90.
Consent Agenda: Motion by Hoff and seconded by Street to approve the consent agenda. Motion carried 5-0.
1. Six-month step increase for Suzanne Seehafer from $22.60 to $22.85 per hour effective 7-15-26.
2. Six-month step increase for Elizabeth Rausch from $22.60 to $22.85 per hour effective 7-01-26.
Executive Session: Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to enter executive session at 9:10 a.m. for the purpose of personnel issue(s) pursuant to SDCL 1-25-2 (1). Motion carried 5-0. States Attorney Schwandt and Auditor Folk were present. Chairman Mach declared the meeting open to the public at 9:54 AM. No action was taken because of the executive session.
2027 Budget: Departments meeting with the Commission for the 2027 budget requests were as follows: States Attorney, Jackson Schwandt; Emergency Management, Kevin Schuelke; Weed, Nathan Mueller; Library, Tammy Wollschlager; Soil Conservation, Amy Sis; Historical Society, Arlo and Paulette Levisen; GC Economic Development, Traci Stein, Josh Wendland, and Steve Wenzl; Community Transit, Kathy Holman and Terry Hoffman, Treasurer, Karla DeVaal; Drainage & P & Z, Steve Berkner. The budget hearings with other departments will continue Wednesday, July 8, 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 July 8, 21, and Thursday, July 30, voting canvass, and regular meetings August 4 and 18, 2026 at 8 a.m. in the basement Commissioner room. Please use the elevator. Motion by Street 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
