By Aberdeen Insider - July 2, 2026 in BROWN COUNTY
JUNE 23, 2026
GENERAL MEETING MINUTES
Meeting called to order by Chairman Sutton at 8:45 A.M. in the Commission Chambers, Courthouse Annex, Brown County, SD. Present were Commissioners Dennert, Diner. Gage, Sutton and Wiese. Commissioner Dinger led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Moved by Commissioner Wiese, seconded by Dennert to approve the agenda. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Jordan McQuillen, Aberdeen City Finance Officer informed the Commission that they passed a Resolution at the Aberdeen City Council meeting on Monday, June 22, 2026 to dissolve TIF #8, which was created through the Aberdeen Development Corporation for the Molded Fiberglass business.
BID OPENING – 4×4 CHASSIS OR FLATBED TRUCK: Time and place, as advertised to open, read and consider bids for 4×4 Chassis or Flatbed Truck for the Brown County Weed & Pest Department. No bids were received, Chris Hemen, Weed & Pest Supervisor suggested he could go to local dealers to see if they would match the State Bid or go through the bid process again and notify local dealers. Moved by Commissioner Wiese, seconded by Dennert to rebid for the 4×4 Chassis or Flatbed Truck. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
Chris Hemen, Weed & Pest Supervisor gave Commission a Department Update: Seasonal Person starting on Monday; they are behind on the right-of-ways but did the school lands yesterday and have done some other private jobs; had a good 6 days thus far.
RICHMOND DAM UPDATE: Jordon Menken with SD Game, Fish & Parks shared with the Commission that the Richmond Lake Campground has still been at 75% occupancy. Disc Golf is still operational, and construction isn’t impacting that area. They are working on Community Projects to clean-up the shorelines and around boat ramps. Canoes and Kayaks are still okay to use on the lake but no boats. Fishing regulations are still effective. The water level is where it should be for the remainder of the project. Julie Johnson thanked the Commission for having Jordon speak today.
Chairman Sutton shared the following information from Commissioner Greenfield: progress continues on the Richmond Lake Project. The contractor continues to monitor and manage water levels in Foote Creek and downstream. The water level in the lake is back down to roughly the level it was at prior to the inundation from flooding in Leola area a few weeks ago. Bauer is mobilizing and will begin a test section next Tuesday. Commissioner Greenfield had received a message from a local resident concerning the detour and an area of the road that had broken up. They noticed three isolated areas where there were breakups, but they were near the side of the road didn’t appear to be problematic. There was some discussion about signage regarding detours. Dirk (Highway Superintendent) has communicated why signage is where it is and why it is absent in other places; he has clearly thought through the placement of signs. SFC is going to install detour detail signs on barricades with the approved Traffic Control Plan. There are still concerns about the public accessing the site, so Chairman Sutton stated for people to keep their distance from the construction site.
Commissioner Dinger stated that the residents at Richmond Lake are Thankful for the efforts the County has done on the detour. Jordon also shared that several people have commented they like the detour and it’s quicker than previous routes so may use it more often.
CHANGE ORDER #1 FOR LANDFILL CELL #5 WITH MIDLAND CONTRACTING: Leif Redinger with Helms Engineering and Mike Scott, Landfill Manager, gave an overview of the progress on Landfill Cell #5 and explained the reasons for the Change Order in the amount of $52,258.53. Moved by Commissioner Wiese, seconded by Dinger to approve and authorize Chairman Sutton to sign the Change Order #1 for $52,258.53 bringing the new total to $2,576,783.60. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
FIREWORKS PERMITS: Moved by Commissioner Dennert, seconded by Dinger to approve and authorize Chairman Sutton to sign the Fireworks Permit for Northern Plains Baptist Church to do a Private Outdoor Display on June 26, 2026 at the Richmond Lake Youth Camp for Bible Camp attendees. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
Moved by Commissioner Dinger, seconded by Gage to approve and authorize Chairman Sutton to sign the Fireworks Permit for Bellino Fireworks to do an Aerial Show at the Brown County Speedway on July 3, 2026. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
MINUTES: Moved by Commissioner Dennert, seconded by Wiese to approve the General Meeting Minutes of June 16, 2026. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
CLAIMS: Moved by Commissioner Dinger, seconded by Wiese to approve the following Claims: Professional Fees: Dakota Group LLC $2,500.00; Dohrer Law Office, PC $1,721.80; East River Psychological Services, PLLC $2,500.00; Election Systems & Software $248.80; Fox Law Firm, PLLC $408.00; Mark Katterhagen $48.00; Sanford Clinic $657.87; Sanford Health $783.00; SD Dept of Health $2,450.00; Taliaferro Law Firm, PC $4,406.95; Valerie Larson $48.00; US Bank $606.09. Publishing: Groton Daily Independent $145.74; McQuillen Creative Group $451.22; US Bank $571.10. Repairs & Maintenance: Best Western Ramkota Hotel – Aberdeen $300.00; House of Glass $318.83; Sherwin Williams $146.35; Titan Machinery $690.29; US Bank $887.60. Supplies & Materials: Amazon Capital Services, Inc $1,574.40; Avera LTC Pharmacy Aberdeen $1,736.31; Bob Barker Company Inc $492.46; Century Business Products $84.51; Cole Paper Inc $594.78; Fox Law Firm, PLLC $7.14; Marco Technologies, LLC $8.03; Menards $215.24; Pro Ag Supply, Inc $634.18; Rowe Electronics, Inc $273.43; Sander’s Sew-N-Vac $69.99; US Postmaster $195.43; Van Diest Supply Company $2,729.60; US Bank $9,533.25. Travel & Conference: Carrie Weisenberger $53.10; Dale Kurth $173.55; David North $162.69; Dennis Feickert $18.85; James Meyers $32.64; Joel Wiedebush $47.85; Landon Ellingson $50.75; Neil Bittner $19.00; Paul Johnson $143.10; Scott Kolb $19.00; Stan Beckler $28.26; Troy Knecht $55.10; US Bank $1,357.91. Utilities: T-Mobile USA Inc $2,419.20; US Bank $5,337.95. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
HR REPORT: Moved by Commissioner Wiese, seconded by Gage to approve the following Human Resource Report submitted by Human Resources Director, Allison Tunheim:
- Employment ending for Linn Kamin as Brown County Deputy Sheriff, FT; effective June 10, 2026. Request to fill.
- Return of Spencer Hundstad as Brown County Fairgrounds Seasonal Worker, starting wage $15.25/hr.; effective June 15. 2026.
All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
TRAVEL REQUESTS: Moved by Commissioner Dinger, seconded by Dennert to approve the following Travel Requests: Erin Spencer, Sheriff’s Office to attend Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Training; Commissioner Wiese to attend Northwestern Energy Summit. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
ZONING ORDINANCES – SET HEARING DATE/AUTHORIZE ADVERTISING:
Moved by Commissioner Dennert, seconded by Wiese to set hearing date and authorize publication for the first reading of the following zoning ordinances to be held on July 14, 2026 in the Commission Chambers, Courthouse Annex, Brown County, South Dakota. Proposed Ordinance #328, applicant Stanley & Carol Gage for the purpose of rezoning from Agriculture Preservation District (AG-P) to Mini-Agriculture District (M-AG) to bring this parcel into compliance for its future use. Description of property: Proposed Lot 1, “Zemlicka Addition” in the NE1/4 of Section 12-T124N-R64W of the 5th P.M. Brown County, South Dakota (12541 388th Avenue; Lincoln Twp.). Ordinance #329, applicant Brown County Planning & Zoning to amend an Existing Ordinance. Jurisdiction – Amendment to Title 4 Zoning Ordinances of Brown County, with Chapter 4.0201 – Jurisdiction; all adopted by Ordinance #329, as amended in Title 4 Zoning Ordinance of Brown County, South Dakota. Ordinance #330, applicant Brown County Planning & Zoning to amend an Existing Ordinance. Jurisdiction – Amendment to Title 5 Subdivision Regulations of Brown County, with Chapter 5.0102 – Jurisdiction; all adopted by Ordinance #330, as amended in Title 5 Subdivision Regulations of Brown County, South Dakota. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
SHIRLEY LARSON FIRST ADDITION PLAT:
RESOLUTION #2026-26
Commissioner Gage brought the following Resolution “Be it resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Brown County, South Dakota that the plat showing “SHIRLEY LARSON FIRST ADDITION” in the SE ¼ of Section 23-T123N-R61W of the 5th P.M., Brown County, South Dakota” having been examined is hereby approved in accordance with the provisions of SDCL 11-3 and any amendments thereof. Seconded by Dinger. All members present voting aye. Resolution adopted.
ZEMLICKA OUTLOT PLAT
RESOLUTION #2026-27
Commissioner Dennert brought the following Resolution “Be it resolved by the County Commission of Brown County, South Dakota that the plat showing “ZEMLICKA OUTLOT” in the NE ¼ of Section 12-T124N-R64W of the 5th P.M., Brown County, South Dakota” having been examined is hereby approved in accordance with the provisions of SDCL of 1967, Chapter 11-3 and any amendments thereof. Seconded by Dinger. The motion passed with 4 votes; Commissioner Gage abstained due to being related to the owners. Resolution adopted.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: None
ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Commissioner Wiese, seconded by Dinger to adjourn the Brown County Commission at 9:26 A.M. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
Lynn Heupel, Brown County Auditor
Published once on July 2, 2026, at the total approximate cost of $101.64 and may be viewed free of charge at www.sdpublicnotices.com and www.aberdeeninsider.com