Grant County Commission Proceedings
Grant County Commission Proceedings
August 4, 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 July 21 and 30, 2026, minutes. Motion carried 5-0. Commissioner Assistant Owen asked to add to the consent agenda hiring a dispatcher, Commissioner Stengel asked to add 4-H and 911 meeting discussion. Motion by Street and seconded by Stengel to approve the agenda with the additions stated. Motion carried 5-0.
Present from the public were Spencer Street, Grant Street, Steve Pendergrass, Traci Stein, Corey Johnson, Mike Waldner, and Annelies Seffrood. Staff members present were Drainage Officer Berkner, States Attorney Schwandt, Hwy Supt. Peterson, Commissioner Assistant Owen, Sheriff Steffensen, Jail Administrator Burns, Administrative Assistant Folk, EM Director Schuelke, and DOE Stotesbery.
Public Comment: Chairman Mach called for public comment three times. There were none. Chairman Mach closed the public comment.
Drainage: Permit DR2026-13 for Grant Street for land located in the NW1/4 of Section 8 in Adams East Township.
Chairman Mach called for a motion to approve DR2026-13 for Grant Street. Motion by Street and seconded by Tostenson to approve drainage permit DR2026- 13.
Drainage Officer Berkner reported the drainage permit is for tiling 60 acres located in the South Branch of the Yellow Bank River Watershed. The drainage project would have 3-inlets and use 2 outlets, an 8” and a 12”, that would drain into an established waterway. By using the 3/8th inch Drainage Co-efficient Formula (DCF) the lateral tile design could flow as much as 400 gpm and the open inlets under extreme wet conditions could flow as much as 1,000 gpm. Berkner said it is his opinion that the drainage project conforms to the county’s drainage ordinance.
Chairman Mach asked Grant Street for any additional comments. Street said the water caught by the inlets would still flow directly into the same waterway flowing through pipes greatly cutting down on erosion. He estimates it would not increase any normal flow in the waterway. Mach opened the public hearing asking three separate times for comments both in favor and against DR2026-13. No one responded. Mach closed the public hearing inviting drainage board discussion. After brief discussion, Chairman Mach called for the vote. Motion carried 5-0.
Permit DR2026-14 for Grant Street for land located with the SE1/4 of Section 6 in Adams West Township.
Chairman Mach called for a motion to approve DR2026-14 for Grant Street. Motion by Stengel and seconded by Tostenson to approve drainage permit DR2026-14.
Berkner said the permit is for tiling 120 acres in the South Branch of the Yellow Bank River Watershed. The project would have 2-open inlets as well as use two 12” outlets with one outlet already installed years earlier that was part of DR2012-08. Both outlets eventually drain into the same established waterway in the SW1/4 of Section 5. Berkner said vested water rights have been officially recorded in the Register of Deeds office for water to flow east and northeast. By using the 3/8th inch DCF calculator Berkner estimated the lateral tile design alone could flow at a maximum rate of 750 gpm, but the open inlets could flow at a rate up to 1,000 gpm during extreme wet conditions. Berkner had been contacted directly by adjacent landowner Tom Wollschlager, who owns the SW1/4 of Section 5. He said Wollschlager and Grant Street have discussed the project. It is Berkner’s opinion that the drainage project design conforms to the county’s drainage ordinance.
Chairman Mach asked Grant Street for any additional comments. Street said he and Wollschlager have spoken and agreed to work together on maintaining the waterway across Wollschlager’s property if needed. Mach opened the public hearing asking three separate times for comments both in favor and against DR2026-14. No one responded. Mach closed the public hearing inviting drainage board discussion. After brief discussion, Chairman 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.
Boys & Girls Club: Annelies Seffrood gave a presentation on the new Boys and Girls Club opening on August 18th in Milbank. They have hired two full-time and seven part-time staff and are looking for more part-time staff. Currently 75 children are enrolled.
Commissioner Tostenson left the meeting at 8:45 a.m.
GA Johnson Construction: Corey Johnson stated there are a few minor items to finish on the jail but asked the Commission to approve signing the Jail Certificate of Completion. By signing the certificate, it allows the County to move into the building. Motion by Hoff and seconded by Street to approve Chairman Mach to sign the Jail Certificate of Completion with GA Johnson Construction. Motion carried 4-0.
Fire Districts: EM Director Schuelke stated the South Shore Fire Department has requested to take Twin Brooks Township off their coverage area and move them to the Milbank and Stockholm Fire Departments area. Motion by Street and seconded by Hoff to approve the boundary changes for the Milbank and Stockholm Fire Departments. Motion carried 4-0.
Travel: None
County Assistance: None
Unfinished Business: DOE Stotesbery reported Big Stone Commons LLC has now been transferred to a non-profit organization. Per the Dept. of Revenue, the bakery and massage studio are still taxable.
New Business: Commissioner Stengel attended the 911 meeting and reported Motorola will be going to totally encrypted radios. The County will need to update their radios as well. Stengel also visited with Rosie Nold, the Interim Director of the SD 4-H Program, at Grant County Achievement Days and said she was pleasantly surprised with our 4-H program and the full livestock building.
Traci Stein, with Grant County Development Corporation, provided a list of properties in the industrial park that the county is currently receiving over $42,000 in property taxes from. That amount of property tax will increase as the discretionary percentage increases over the first five years. Stein also said GCDC is working with the City of Milbank to rehabilitate vacant lots and homes in the city.
Commissioner Tostenson returned to the meeting at 9:51 a.m.
SecureSD: Mike Waldner from Dakota State University gave a presentation on the SecureSD initiative that is aimed at strengthening the cyber security of municipalities, counties, and local governments in South Dakota. The funding for the program comes from the Attorney General’s Office but will end in 2028. Waldner asked the County to sign the SecureSD Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which gives the County permission to discuss with Waldner the cost and options available. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Street to approve Chairman Mach to sign the MOU with SecureSD. Motion carried 5-0.
Correspondence: Commissioner Assistant Owen informed the Commission of a Dept. of Agriculture letter and an email received.
5-Year Hwy Plan: Motion by Street and seconded by Stengel to set September 1, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. the 2027 Five-Year Highway Plan public hearing. Motion carried 5-0.
Utility Certificate: Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to approve the Utility Certificate for bridge 26-293-210 Project Number BRO-B 8026(37) PCN 09MR as presented. Motion carried 5-0.
Baete-Forseth Contract: Commissioner Assistant Owen presented a contract with Baete-Forseth for the HVAC system maintenance in the new Detention Center for $4,400 annually for four years, 2026-2029. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Hoff to authorize Chairman Mach to sign the four-year maintenance contract with Baete-Forseth. Motion carried 5-0.
Claims: Motion by Hoff and seconded by Stengel to approve the claims. Motion carried 5-0. AL’S BODY SHOP, repair & maint 660.00; C AND R SUPPLY, repair & maint 850.40; CENTER POINT, books 323.43; CENTURY BUSINESS PRODUCTS, copier rent 398.91; CHRISTIAN REIMCHE, weed chemicals 7,560.00; CITY OF MILBANK, water & sewer 1,129.44; ELECTION SYSTEMS & SOFTWARE, supplies 984.53; FIRST BANK & TRUST/VISA, postage, rollup signs, registrations, furniture, supplies 4,062.46; FLAT RATE, gravel 2,723.51; GA JOHNSON CONSTRUCTION, prof services 182,019.44; GRAJCZYK LAW OFFICE, Court appt atty 3,700.00; KEVIN MEYER, supplies 61.35; MIDCO, lib internet 131.31; MILBANK AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, allocation 1,000.00; MILBANK FIRE DEPT, allocation 750.00; MILBANK FORD & MERCURY, repair & maint 301.64; NORTHWESTERN ENERGY, natural gas 61.33; PETERS DISTRIBUTING, prof services 648.67; SAFETY RESTRAINT CHAIR, furniture 4,335.00; SAFETY-KLEEN SYSTEMS, supplies 270.34; SANDRA FONDER, prof services 140.00; SECURE SERV, prof services 8,279.98; SD ASSN CO COMMISSIONERS, registration 500.00; SDSU EXTENSION, parking pass 85.00; THE SHOP, repair & maint 2,407.50; ST WILLIAMS CARE CENTER, inmate laundry 76.00; TWIN VALLEY TIRE, repair & maint 1,442.00; WHETSTONE HOME CENTER, supplies 687.07; ZEM’S, equipment 3,958.99. TOTAL: $229,548.30.
Payroll for the following departments and offices for July 28, 2026, payroll is as follows: COMMISSIONERS 8,038.32; AUDITOR 10,424.96; ELECTION 1,593.83; TREASURER 6,948.83; STATES ATTORNEY 6,629.32; CUSTODIANS 4,334.00; DIR. OF EQUALIZATION 4,813.61; REG. OF DEEDS 4,428.59; VET. SERV. OFFICER 919.80; SHERIFF 18,186.42; COMMUNICATION CTR 14,507.95; VISITING NEIGHBOR 2,063.68; LIBRARY 10,723.13; 4-H 5,511.53; WEED CONTROL 3,134.10; P&Z 1,524.00; DRAINAGE 672.00; ROAD & BRIDGE 36,078.88; EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 2,794.50. TOTAL: $143,327.45.
Payroll Claims: FIRST BANK & TRUST, Fed WH 10,291.72; FIRST BANK & TRUST, FICA WH & Match 17,239.06; FIRST BANK & TRUST, Medicare WH & Match 4,031.72; ACCOUNTS MANAGEMENT, deduction 96.88; AMERICAN FAMILY LIFE, AFLAC ins. 1,929.97; RELIANCE STANDARD LIFE DENTAL & VISION, ins. 898.89; LEGALSHIELD, ins. 25.90; MASA, ins. 344.00; WELLMARK-BLUE CROSS OF SD, Employee health ins. 51,344.61; RELIANCE STANDARD SUPPLEMENTAL, life ins. 493.79; OFFICE OF CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT, child support 1,718.00; SDRS SUPPLEMENTAL, deduction 1,402.50; SDRS, retire 16,016.23. TOTAL: $105,833.27.
Consent Agenda: Motion by Stengel and seconded by Street to approve the consent agenda. Motion carried 5-0.
1. One year wage increase for Casey Dahl to $24.05 per hour effective 7-28-26.
2. One year wage increase for Adam Kvam to $24.05 per hour effective 7-28-26.
3. Approve hiring Aaron Twedt at County Highway Dept. at $23.95 effective 7-27- 26.
4. Approve hiring Kyra Volkenant as jailer at $20.30 per hour effective 8-10-26.
2027 Budget: Auditor Folk presented the changes to revenue and expenses in the 2027 provisional budget since the last meeting. Folk advised in 2027 the former jail utility expenses, etc. will fall under Dept. 161 Government Buildings instead of Dept. 211 Sheriff. Those changes are reflected in the current 2027 budget changes. Chairman Mach suggested a committee should be appointed to determine a purpose for the future of the old jail. The Commission will appoint them at their next meeting.
Executive Session: Motion by Stengel and seconded by Tostenson to enter executive session at 11:57 a.m. for the purpose of personnel issue(s) pursuant to SDCL 1-25-2 (1). Motion carried 5-0. Commission Assistant Owen, States Attorney Schwandt, and Auditor Folk were present. Chairman Mach declared the meeting open to the public at 12:50 p.m. No action was taken because of the executive session.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 August 18, and September 1 and 22, 2026 at 8 a.m. in the basement Commissioner room. Please use the elevator. Motion by Stengel 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
