By Aberdeen Insider - July 23, 2026 in BROWN COUNTY
JULY 14, 2026
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, Dinger, Gage and Sutton. Commissioner Wiese joined via teleconference. Commissioner Gage led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Moved by Commissioner Dinger, seconded by Gage to approve the agenda. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Scott Meints, Emergency Management Director, informed the Commission that they had their seconded meeting last week regarding the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan. He will be posting a public survey on the Emergency Managements Facebook page.
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. A bid was received from Pierson Ford with two options. First option was for a 2027 Ford F-550 4×4 Regular Cab Chassis Cab (built to order as needed) at the price of $69,594.00 and Second Option was for a 2019 Ford F-550 4×4 Super-Cab Chassis Cab that includes a flatbed at the price of $50,000.00. Chris Hemen, Weed & Pest Supervisor, asked to defer a decision for a week so that he could go look at the vehicles before making a recommendation. Moved by Commissioner Dinger, seconded by Dennert to defer awarding the bid for a week so Chris can look at the two vehicle options. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
RICHMOND DAM UPDATE: Scott Meints, Emergency Management Director, shared that they are moving the damaged pumps out of the way; they will have 1 pump available for any heavy rains. The water is down to the level that they need it to be at this time. There are a couple of clean-up days with Game, Fish & Parks (GF&P) coming up. Mike Russell with Richmond Lake Association will be providing dumpsters around the lake. He shared he had just received a letter from DANR about a 10-day notice if people want to dreg and clean up so not sure what that is all about. Scott Meints informed him that if you are going to do any work in the water way, you need a Corp of Engineers permit and GF&P could help with the permitting process. Scott believes that the permit is free.
Julie Johnson, Lobbyist, shared that the Joint Appropriations Committee will have a meeting next Monday and they have the Richmond Lake Dam on their agenda with Commissioner Greenfield scheduled to appear; it was part of the agreement of receiving the additional funds that they receive regular updates on the project.
ORDINANCE #328 – FIRST READING: Moved by Commissioner Dinger, seconded by Dennert to approve the First Reading of Proposed Ordinance #328. Applicants Stanley & Carol Gage to rezone 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.). The motion passed with 3 votes; Commissioner Gage abstained due to being related to the owners.
ORDINANCE #329 – FIRST READING: Moved by Commissioner Gage, seconded by Dennert to approve the First Reading of Proposed Ordinance #329, to consider amending Title 4 Zoning of Brown County with Chapter 4.02 – Jurisdiction. 4.0201 Jurisdiction. The provisions of Title 4 shall apply within the unincorporated area of Brown County, South Dakota, (excluding including areas of joint jurisdiction being, one (1) mile outside of Groton city limit boundary line, one (1) mile outside of Hecla city limit boundary line, one-half (1/2) mile outside of Frederick city limit boundary line, and one and one-half (1 1/2) miles of Warner City limits; and also including the incorporated communities of Claremont, Columbia, Verdon and Stratford, as established on the map entitled “The Official Zoning Map of Brown County, South Dakota”. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #330 – FIRST READING: Moved by Commissioner Gage, seconded by Dinger to approve the First Reading of Proposed Ordinance #330, to amend Title 5 Subdivision Regulations with Chapter 5.01 General Provisions 5.0102 Jurisdiction. These regulations shall apply within the unincorporated areas of Brown County, South Dakota, and including the incorporated municipalities of Claremont, Columbia, Verdon and Stratford yet excluding and including areas of joint jurisdiction with Frederick (1/2 mile outside city limit boundary line), Groton (1 mile outside city limit boundary line), and Hecla (1 mile outside city limit boundary line) and Warner (1 ½ mile). (Ordinance 087 amendment). All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
2027 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CONTRACT: Moved by Commissioner Gage, seconded by Dinger to approve and authorize Chairman Sutton to sign the 2027 Contract with the Department of Health at the cost of $21,591.00. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
BROWN COUNTY FAIR PROMOTIONAL TICKET LIST: Moved by Commissioner Dinger, seconded by Dennert to approve the promotional ticket list for the 2026 Brown County Fair as presented. All members present voting aye. Motion carried. (The full list is on file at the Brown County Fair Office).
4-H PREMIUM SPONSOR CONTRACT: Moved by Commissioner Dennert, seconded by Gage to approve and authorize Chairman Sutton to sign the contract to sponsor the 4-H Premiums at the cost of $5,200.00 for the 2026 Brown County Fair. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
FRAN ROMEO AGENCY – TALENT BOOKING CONTRACT: Rachel Kippley, Fair/Fairgrounds/Parks Manager presented a two-year contract with Fran Romeo Agency, who is the Talent Booking Agent for the Brown County Fair. Chairman Sutton asked to defer this and for Rachel to come back when they go into exec to discuss further.
DEPARTMENT UPDATE – FAIR: Rachel Kippley, Fair/Fairgrounds/Parks Manager, shared that the Brown County Fair along with Centennial Village and Boys & Girls Club went together and purchased vinyl permanent wrist bands for those over 21 to same time in lines at the three locations serving alcohol the week of the fair. Fairbooks should be out next week. 5000 Tickets were sold at this time last year, currently there have been 8000 tickets sold. Rachel also gave a shout out to Dirk and the Highway Department for all the work they have done on the road at the Fairgrounds.
APPLICATION FOR OCCUPANCY: Moved by Commissioner Dinger, seconded by Gage to approve the following applications submitted by Northern Electric for occupancy of Brown County Highway 13, Section 6-T123-R63, Brown County, SD to bore primary electrical infrastructure. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
Moved by Commissioner Dennert, seconded by Gage to approve the following applications submitted by LTS Telecommunication Services for occupancy of Brown County Road 19, Section 23-T123N-R64W, Brown County, SD to install fiber optic cable, conduit and access points as part of an underground point to point fiber network – does not include 385th, which is the township road. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
DEPARTMENT UPDATE – HIGHWAY: Dirk Rogers, Highway Superintendent, informed the Commission that the paver broke so they are doing other projects until they get the paver fixed; milling on 9 west of 281 is done, next will be paving and chip sealing; will be shouldering next week. The hot in place preconstruction meeting for Co. Hwy. 14 project will be today and on August 6th doing a presentation for SDSU and others so project will be under way by then. The cold-in-place preconstruction meeting is also today for Co. Hwy. 16 project and should be starting within the next 30 days. Still milling on Rd. 27 then Bituminous will do the paving (bought off the Spink County bid), the bridge is not ours but going to pave up to the bridge. Sand Lake Bridge is going well; there will be a change order coming for this project to running into footings from previous bridge. BR350 shook loose; the materials are in the yard so just need to find a contractor to do the project. Gates are at 109 today; James River dropped down 5” since last week.
MINUTES: Moved by Commissioner Dennert, seconded by Dinger to approve the General Meeting Minutes of July 7, 2026. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
CLAIMS/PAYROLL: Moved by Commissioner Gage, seconded by Dennert to approve the following Claims: Professional Fees: Alcohol Monitoring Systems, Inc $1,997.60; Cogley Law Office, Prof LLC $3,125.60; County of Edmunds $17,600.00; Fall Line Forensics $7,350.00; IMEG Corp $875.00; Kendel Simon $66.00; Kristi Brandt $28.75; Kuck Law Office $3,287.90; Language Line Services, Inc $364.05; Lenling Law Office, Prof. LLC $4,279.00; LexisNexis Risk Data Mgt, LLC $200.00; Lincoln County Auditor $732.12; Manuel J. De Castro, Jr. $890.60; Network Center, Inc $10,235.78; Northeastern Mental Health Center $1,487.50; Pauer Sound, LLC $1,163.27; Sanford Health Occupational Medicine $546.00; Sanford Health $2,305.00; SD Dept of Health $1,885.00; State of South Dakota PMB 0112 $87.17; Tammy Stolle Court Reporting $130.95; Thomson Reuters – West Payment Center $2,266.94. Publishing: Groton Daily Independent $226.14; Hub City Radio $350.00; McQuillen Creative Group, Inc $882.89; The Watertown Current $286.20. Rentals: Pantorium Cleaners Inc $207.36; Vestis $333.03. Repairs & Maintenance: ADDCO Acquisition, LLC $300.00; Amazon Capital Services, Inc $566.16; Asphalt Zipper $145.84; Auto Value Aberdeen $258.39; C Express Inc $12.00; Diesel Machinery, Inc $8,678.19; Economy Propane, LLC $200.00; Hoven Auto Repair, Inc $451.44; Lien Transportation Company $5,070.00; Meister Mowing LLC $74.34; Pantorium Cleaners Inc $235.96; Pierson Ford Lincoln, Inc $133.40; RDO Equipment Co $3,810.39; Reede Construction Inc $289,987.34; Rinse & Go Car Wash $10.25; Sewer Duck, Inc $1,000.00; Sprocket Ventures, LLC $38.00; Titan Machinery $1,680.34. Supplies & Materials: ADDCO Acquisition, LLC $9,498.00; Agtegra Cooperative $46,429.00; Amazon Capital Services, Inc $785.65; Asphalt Zipper $700.85; Auto Value Aberdeen $325.78; Avera LTC Pharmacy Aberdeen $332.60; Butler Machinery Company $535.88; Central Network Retail Group LLC $4.07; Century Business Products $366.46; Cole Paper Inc $82.54; Dakota Electronics LLC $44.00; Dakota Oil $55.65; Diesel Machinery, Inc $1,049.29; East Side Jersey Dairy Inc $1,912.90; Economy Propane, LLC $419.00; Eddie’s Northside Sinclair $593.00; FedEx $107.19; Geffdog Designs $185.00; Hoven Auto Repair $154.00; Jensen Rock & Sand Inc $16,672.50; Kessler’s $137.47; Kuck Law Office $111.03; Lewis Family Drug LLC $98.64; Linde Gas & Equipment Inc $184.77; McLeod’s Printing & Office Supply $29.70; Menards $417.78; Midstates Group $584.00; NVC $30.21; Pantorium Cleaners Inc $60.00; Performance Oil $787.93; PharmChem, Inc $2,007.00; Pro Ag Supply, Inc $182.92; RDO Equipment Co $7,425.08; Rinse & Go Car Wash $13.00; Runnings $1,295.07; Share Corporation $1,103.40; Stan Houston Equipment Company, Inc $87.99; Thomson Reuters – West Payment Center $706.70; Titan Machinery $1,102.51; Tri-State Water $35.00; US Foods $13,141.63; Van Diest Supply Company $1,786.40. Travel & Conference: Allison Tunheim $199.50; City of Groton $199.26; Kendel Simon $555.00; Lenling Law Office, Prof. LLC $280.00; Neil Bittner $19.00; Scott Kolb $19.00. Utilities: CenturyLink $581.23; City of Aberdeen Treasurer $799.33; Economy Propane, LLC $1,228.76; Northwestern Energy $629.92; NVC $1,062.41; T-Mobile USA Inc $612.92. Other: Kiwanis Foundation $234.00; SD Assoc of County Officials $1,042.00; SD Dept of Agriculture & Natural Resources $5,391.78. Payroll: Commission $5,165.81; Elections $4,643.77; Auditor/Welfare $10,997.56; Treasurer $18,145.00; SA $39,029.74; Public Defender $14,449.33; Maintenance $10,818.67; Assessor $17,506.94; Register of Deeds $12,666.67; VSO $5,259.85; GIS $3,110.76; IT $10,616.94; HR $5,748.66; Sheriff $63,928.42; Jail $85,034.83; Coroner (Voucher) $1,250.00; Court Security $6,592.46; JDC $37,082.00; MI Board $0.00; Museum $15,778.70; Parks/Fairgrounds $10,081.81; Fair Board $5,616.43; 4-H $1,639.66; Weed $6,369.08; Planning & Zoning $8,510.52; Highway $60,914.67; Dispatch $38,963.01; Emergency $5,805.33; 24/7 Sobriety $2,980.68; Landfill $16,431.37; Meal Benefits $95.00; SDRS Pay-out $31,933.00; Retirement Award $150.00; FICA $31,217.79; Medicare $7,300.95; HSA $6,406.94; Retirement-SDRS $67,639.90. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
HR REPORT: Moved by Commissioner Dinger, seconded by Gage to approve the following Human Resource Report submitted by Human Resources Director, Allison Tunheim:
- Mileage Reports
- Approve personal miles for April 2026 as follows at $0.725/mile: Joshua Matthews 252 miles at $182.70; Matt Heupel 80 miles at $56.00; John Florey 114 miles at $79.80; Mike Scott at 220 miles at $154.00.
- Approve personal miles for May 2026 as follows at $0.725/mile: Joshua Matthews 252 miles at $182.70; Matt Heupel 95 miles at $66.50; John Florey 120 miles at $84.00; Mike Scott 180 miles at $126.00.
- Approve personal miles for June 2026 as follows at $0.725/mile: Joshua Matthews 252 miles at $182.70; Matt Heupel 100 miles at $70.00; John Florey 114 miles at $79.80; Mike Scott 130 miles at $91.00.
All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
LEASE AGREEMENTS: Moved by Commissioner Dennert, seconded by Dinger to approve and authorize Chairman Sutton to sign the following lease agreements: Mary Fites to lease Richmond Lake Youth Camp on July 30-August 1, 2027; Denise Dutenhoffer (Do It With Spots) to lease Akkerman Open Horse Arena on September 13; Logan Tomac & Katie Minder to lease Clubhouse on May 7-10, 2027 for a wedding; Skylar Azure & Brayden Burnett to lease the Clubhouse on May 21-24, 2027 for a wedding. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
LOTTERY PERMIT FOR BROWN COUNTY 4-H LEADERS: Moved by Commissioner Dinger, seconded by Gage to approve and authorize Chairman Sutton to sign the Lottery Permit Application submitted by Brown County 4-H Leaders for August 10th – 14th at the Brown County Fair to raise funds to support Brown County 4-H. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
OTHER BUSINESS: None
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Moved by Commissioner Gage, seconded by Dennert to go into Executive Session per SDCL 1-25-2 for Personnel, Contracts and Legal. All member present voting aye. Motion carried.
Chairman Sutton declared the Executive Session closed with No Action taken.
Moved by Commissioner Dinger, seconded by Gage to postpone approval of the Fran Romeo Agency – Talent Booking Contact until July 21st Commission Meeting. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Commissioner Dennert, seconded by Dinger to adjourn the Brown County Commission at 10:18 A.M. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
Lynn Heupel, Brown County Auditor
Published once on July 23, 2026, at the total approximate cost of $154.97 and may be viewed free of charge at www.sdpublicnotices.com and www.aberdeeninsider.com