Brown County – 7.21.26. Meeting Minutes

BROWN COUNTY

JULY 21, 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, Dinger, Gage and Sutton. Commissioner Wiese was absent. Commissioner Dennert 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: None

AWARDING BID FOR 4×4 CHASSIS OR FLATBED TRUCK: Chris Hemen, Weed & Pest Supervisor informed the Commission that he went and looked at the two vehicles that Pierson Ford offered in their bid last week and he recommends going with the 2019 Ford F-550 4×4 Supercab Chassis Cab that includes a flatbed so that will save some money them between $22-30 thousand dollars. Moved by Commissioner Dennert, seconded by Dinger to approve the bid from Pierson Ford for the 2019 Ford F-550 4×4 Supercab Chassis Cab at the cost of $50,000.00 All members present voting aye. Motion carried.

RICHMOND DAM UPDATE: Chairman Sutton shared that Emergency Management Director, Scott Meints had informed him that the contractors have one pump to maintain the lake elevation. Julie Johnson joined via phone to report on the Appropriations Meeting that was held in Pierre yesterday. She stated that Commissioner Greenfield gave a presentation and both the State and DANR Engineers were in attendance. Julie shared that on the Commissioner Greenfield’s website they have documents stating that it will be 49 – 247 days to refill the lake (1 season under normal conditions).

GREEN SPACE: Patricia Kendall, Dacotah Prairie Museum Director asked to use the Green Space in front of the Courthouse for their Summertime History Fun tomorrow from 12pm to 5pm. Generally, they would have used the parking lot but due to the election and absentee voting they didn’t want to take away parking spaces. The Commission agreed to allow her to use the Green Space in front of the Courthouse.

REQUEST FOR FUNDING: Patricia Kendall, Dacotah Prairie Museum Director met with the Commission to request funding for the Expansion Project. Patricia informed the Commission that their attendance has increased by 36% and they have exceeded their physical capacity. They need more space to host larger traveling exhibits. Patricia is asking the County to consider an appropriation of either $125,000 per year for four years or $100,000 per year for five years. She stated that she has also visited with the City to invest in the project as well and the Museum Foundation will be raising the majority of the Funds. Patricia will plan to come each year to make the request during the Budget Hearings.

QUOTES FOR TALENT BOOKING AGENCIES: Rachel Kippley, Fair/Fairgrounds/Parks Manager presented 3 Quotes to the Commission for Talent Booking Agencies to be used by the Brown County Fair. Quotes were as follows:

Moved by Commissioner Dennert, seconded by Gage to approve quote from Fran Romeo Agency for total of $49,999.98 for 2027 and 2028 Brown County Fair along with authorizing Chairman to sign the contract. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.

DISCUSSION ON HOME ARTS BUILDING AT THE FAIRGROUNDS: Dennis Jones, resident of Brown County, met with the Commission to ask them to make a motion to hold off on the demolition of the Women’s Building. Dennis covered some of the history of the building being built and called the Women’s Building in 1921 after women were given the right to vote in 1920. Also, he has been in contact with National Trust for Historic Registry and since this building was from the original Tri-State Fair he feels it should be preserved, not modernized and the new building could be built somewhere else on the Fairgrounds.

Rachel Kippley, Fair/Fairgrounds/Parks Manager stated she appreciates Dennis’ position put the Achievement Days are the Center of the Fairgrounds which is for the kids, so we need to replace the building because it would be a lot of work and money to fix this building up and the wood is rotting. Patricia Kendall, Museum Director, shared that the building is not eligible for the Historic Registry because of the shape that it is in; the Fair and 4-H have thought this through and due to Public Safety and Fiscal Responsibility the best thing is to replace the building.

Becca Tullar, 4-H Advisor stated that the tradition of Brown County Fair is to keep the Fair and 4-H alive and with that comes change; this building will give 4-H a home and community. They plan to use the historic doors and windows to keep the character and charm in the new building.

Chairman Sutton commented that it has been stated the building is not eligible for the National Registry and change is inevitable. He referred to the YMCA, Boys & Girls Club and Bethlehem Church as other examples in the community. Architecture of the new building incorporates the windows and doors to maintain some of the historic meaning. Also, smaller communities such as Grant County, Roberts County and Spink County have already built new buildings. We need to modernize ours and make it the centerpiece of the Fairgrounds for the next 150 years. Building Committee is discussing demolishing the building after the Fair, to show the community we are serious about wanting to make this building a reality.

LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERORMANCE GRANT (LEMPG): Moved by Commissioner Gage, seconded by Dennert to approve and authorize Chairman Sutton to sign the 3rd quarter LEMPG Grant Report. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.

MINUTES: Moved by Commissioner Dennert, seconded by Dinger to approve the General Meeting Minutes of July 14, 2026. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.

CLAIMS: Moved by Commissioner Gage, seconded by Dinger to approve the following Claims: Insurance: SD Assoc of County Commissioners $16,552.00; SD Public Assurance Alliance $1,389.86. Professional Fees: Amazon Capital Services, Inc $515.84; American Legion Post 58 $100.00; Anna Johnson $40.00; Avera St. Lukes Hospital $523.22; Becky Erickson $40.00; Brown County 4-H Leaders Association $5,200.00; Certified Languages International LLC $589.05; CGI, LLC $1,537.50; Cogley Law Office, Prof LLC $7,638.60; Dean Schaefer Court Reporting $312.00; Dependable Sanitation, Inc $46,720.00; Houston Engineering, Inc $22,103.44; IMEG Corp $46,944.98; Insurance Plus $176.00; John Noyes – Bantz, Gosch & Cremer $7,604.40; Kelli Lardy $280.25; Kennedy Pier Loftus & Reynolds, LLP $231.80; Kuck Law Office $4,389.00; Lewis & Clark BHS $480.00; Medical Waste Transport, Inc $235.50; SD Assoc of Assessing Officers $1,000.00; Tammy Stolle Court Reporting $58.20; Willam A. Moss, Psy.D., LLC $3,000.00; Yankton County Treasurer $331.90; Jury Duty Participants $1,708.40. Publishing: Groton Daily Independent $126.23; McQuillen Creative Group, Inc $255.13; Midstates Group $350.00. Repairs & Maintenance: Asphalt Zipper $1,362.66; Diamond Mowers LLC $234.67; Double D Body Shop $350.00; EcoLab Pest Elimination Division $312.07; Graham Tire Inc $130.00; Jake’s Heating & Cooling $115.00; Leidholt Electric, LLC $217.94; Midwest Pump & Tank $133.18; Pomp’s Tire Service, Inc $956.50; Steven Lust Automotive $331.08; Titan Machinery $209.68. Supplies & Materials: A-1 Locksmithing $65.00; Amazon Capital Services, Inc $1,718.04; Asphalt Zipper $4,037.50; Avera LTC Pharmacy Aberdeen $1,808.99; Brown County 4-H Leaders Association $223.00; Century Business Products $1,070.90; Cole Paper Inc $482.10; Diamond Mowers LLC $1,217.40; Filevine $6,622.80; Geffdog Designs $134.30; GovConnection, Inc $387.04; Graham Tire Inc $10.40; HBD Inc $128.19; Jebro Inc $56,102.11; Jensen Rock & Sand Inc $5,830.20; John Noyes – Bantz, Gosch & Cremer $283.53; Kessler’s $64.22; Kuck Law Office $135.84; Makendra Ochsner $150.00; Marco Technologies, LLC $12.31; Menards $199.02; Midwest Pump & Tank $525.92; Pomp’s Tire Service, Inc $7.00; Pro Ag Supply, Inc $230.09; Regalia Manufacturing Co $101.13; Runnings $60.57; Steven Lust Automotive $264.57. Travel & Conference: CGI, LLC $210.70; Controlled F.O.R.C.E., Inc $1,390.00; Joe Kretchman $19.00; Lynn Heupel $48.00; Mike Eliason $3,357.16; Tammy Spellman $236.35. Utilities: City of Aberdeen Treasurer $4,515.65; City of Hecla $166.21; Northern Electric $117.50; Northwestern Energy $981.39; NVC $2,073.03; T-Mobile USA Inc $2,452.80; Town of Frederick $77.00. Other: South Dakota Department of Health $15,969.75. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.

HR REPORT: Moved by Commissioner Dennert, seconded by Dinger to approve the following Human Resource Report submitted by Human Resources Director, Allison Tunheim:

• Resignation of Mark Milbrandt as Brown County Landfill Worker, PT – effective July 16, 2026.
• Resignation of Lynn Zacher as Brown County Sheriff’s Office Administrative Coordinator, FT – effective July 22, 2026. Request to fill.
• Resignation of Wesley Jones as Brown County Jail Detention Officer, FT – effective July 25, 2026. Request to fill.
• Last day of internship for Mayson Coyle, Brown County State’s Attorney Intern – effective July 31, 2026.
• Temporary 2026 Brown County Fair Bartender Workers, August 6^th to 16^th
  • Dexter Hanson at $10.00/hr. + tips
  • Jessica Reise – $10.00/hr. + tips

(Bartenders filling in as Leads will be $12.00/hr. + tips)

All members present voting aye. Motion carried.

TRAVEL REQUESTS: Moved by Commissioner Dinger, seconded by Gage to approve the following Travel Requests: Stephanie Morgan and Joe Kraft with Department of Equalization to attend SDAAO School; Lynn Heupel, Auditor to attend Election Workshop in Pierre; Lynn Heupel, Sara Swisher and Erin Kempf with the Auditor’s Office along with Allison Tunheim, Human Resources Director to attend the SDACES Training. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.

OTHER BUSINESS: Moved by Commissioner Dinger, seconded by Gage to spend the $100,000 LATCF Funds on the new 4-H Building. Commissioner Dennert shared that he was for this and it is a one-time expense. All members in attendance voting aye. Motion carried.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Moved by Commissioner Gage, seconded by Dennert to go into Executive Session per SDCL 1-25-2 for Personnel and Legal. All member present voting aye. Motion carried.

Chairman Sutton declared the Executive Session closed with No Action taken.

ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Commissioner Gage, seconded by Dennert to adjourn the Brown County Commission at 10:45 A.M. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.

Lynn Heupel, Brown County Auditor

Published once on July 30, 2026, at the total approximate cost of $117.48 and may be viewed free of charge at www.sdpublicnotices.com and www.aberdeeninsider.com