By Aberdeen Insider - November 14, 2024 in BROWN COUNTY COMMISSION
November 5, 2024 – GENERAL MEETING
Meeting called to order by Vice-Chairman Fjeldheim at 8:45 A.M. in the Commission Chambers, Courthouse Annex, Brown County, SD. Present were Commissioners Dennert, Fjeldheim, Gage, Sutton and Wiese. Commissioner Gage led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Commissioner Wiese moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Gage. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
LIFE SAFETY AWARD: Scott Meints, Emergency Management Director shared that were proud to present one of their Life Safety Awards to an Employee this time. Kent Jones, E-911 Director and Sara Jesz, E-911 Assistant Director presented MaKayla Ott with two Life Saving Awards and a pin for directing an individual how to perform CPR and saving the life of that individual.
OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT: None
BIDS FOR SOLID & YARD WASTE COLLECTION SERVICE: Mike Scott, Landfill Manager met with the Commission asking them to approve and authorize advertising for a 5-year Contract for Solid & Yard Wast Collection Service. Moved by Commissioner Wiese, seconded by Dennert to approve and authorize advertising the Bid Notice for Solid & Yard Waste Collection Service. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
SAND LAKE BRIDGE TERMINATION AGREEMENT: Dirk Rogers, Highway Superintendent met with the Commission to get approval for Chairman to sign the current Termination Agreement for the Sand Lake Bridge to move it to a new program, County will need to pay $54,949.57. Moved by Commissioner Wiese, seconded by Dennert to authorize Chairman Sutton to sign the Termination Agreement knowing we will need to pay $54,949.57 so we can in turn apply for the new bridge program. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
Commissioner Wiese commented that the Commission approves how Dirk shepherds the projects through, looking at all the different funding sources, looking for the best solutions in both the funding and timing standpoint – with the limited resources and he does the best that he can how best to serve the public throughout the County. Dirk says he appreciates the acknowledgement.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT UPDATE: Dirk Rogers, Highway Superintendent said they are still graveling a few areas, doing some shoulder work, planning on getting the stripers here and they will do Co. Road 5 and mowing. An employee has put in their notice to resign but staffing will be fine for Snow Removal, don’t intend to replace them at this time. Chairman Sutton asked about the Richmond Guardrail, but Dirk didn’t have any updates on that but can be done until the ground is frozen.
BROWN COUNTY DIVE TEAM: Sheriff Lunzman submitted a request to approve Thomas Bentz joining the Dive Team. Moved by Commissioner Wiese, seconded by Sutton to approve Thomas Bentz be placed on the volunteer status for the Brown County Dive Team. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
QUOTE FOR BOBCAT: Rachel Kippley, Fair/Fairgrounds/Parks Manager submitted a quote from Bobcat of Aberdeen for the amount of 42,703.08 to purchase S76 T4 Bobcat Skid Steer Loader which was included in her 2025 budget, Bobcat knows they won’t get payment until January. Moved by Commissioner Sutton, seconded by Wiese to approve the quote and purchase the S76 T4 Bobcat Skid Steer Loader from Bobcat of Aberdeen, with payment in January. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
SUPPORTING OPERATION GREEN LIGHT FOR VETERANS:
Commissioner Gage offered the following Resolution:
RESOLUTION #63-24
WHEREAS, the residents of Brown County have great respect, admiration, and the utmost gratitude for all the men and women who have selflessly served our country and this community in the Armed Forces; and
WHEREAS, the contributions and sacrifices of those who served in the Armed Forces have been vital in maintaining the freedoms and way of life enjoyed by our citizens; and
WHEREAS, Brown County seeks to honor individuals who have made countless sacrifices for freedom by placing themselves in harm’s way for the good of all; and
WHEREAS, veterans continue to serve our community in the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, religious groups, civil service, and by functioning as County Veterans Service Officers in 29 states to help fellow former service members access more than $52 billion in federal health, disability and compensation benefits each year; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 200,000 service members transition to civilian communities annually; and
WHEREAS, an estimated 20 percent increase of service members will transition to civilian life in the near future; and
WHEREAS, studies indicate that 44-72 percent of service members experience high levels of stress during transition from military to civilian life; and
WHEREAS, active military service members transitioning from military service are at a high risk for suicide during their first year after military service; and
WHEREAS, the National Association of Counties encourages all counties, parishes and boroughs to recognize Operation Green Light for Veterans; and
WHEREAS, the Brown County appreciates the sacrifices of our United States military personnel and believes specific recognition should be granted; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, with designation as a Green Light for Veterans County, Brown County hereby declares from November 4, 2024 through Veterans Day, November 11th 2024 a time to salute and honor the service and sacrifices of our men and women in uniform transitioning from active service; therefore, be it further
RESOLVED, that in observance of Operation Green Light, Brown County encourages its citizens in patriotic tradition to recognize the importance of honoring all those who made immeasurable sacrifices to preserve freedom by displaying green lights in a window of their place of business or residence from November 4th through the 11th, 2024.
Seconded by Commissioner Wiese.
Roll call vote: Dennert-aye; Fjeldheim-aye; Gage-aye; Sutton-aye; Wiese-aye. Resolution adopted.
MINUTES: Moved by Commissioner Wiese, seconded by Dennert to approve the General Meeting Minutes of October 29, 2024. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
CLAIMS/PAYROLL: Moved by Commissioner Dennert, seconded by Wiese to approve the following claims/payroll: Claims: Professional Fees: Christy Griffin-Serr Law Office $9,027.50; Dean Schaefer Court Reporting $156.00; Fox Law Firm, PLLC $320.00; Lewis & Clark BHS $639.00; Lincoln County Auditor $1,275.51; Lucy Lewno $110.00; Mark Katterhagen $36.00; Northeastern Dental Center $227.66; Northeastern Mental Health Center $1,248.00; SD Dept of Transportation $54,949.57; Sewer Duck, Inc $85.00; Taliaferro Law Firm, PC $53.00; Valerie Larson $36.00; Yankton County Sheriff’s Office $50.00; Yankton County Treasurer $736.50. Publishing: Asure Software $1,788.00; Groton Daily Independent $1,101.04; McQuillen Creative Group, Inc $894.00. Rentals: Dakota Electronics $183.50. Repairs & Maintenance: Bituminous Paving, Inc $6,000; Building Restoration Corp $63,388.75; Crawford Trucks & Equipment $326.70; Jarman’s Water Systems $278.00; K&S Plumbing, Inc. $1,092.73; Kone $1,458.83; Lawson Products, Inc $135.41; Precision Kiosk Technologies $3,000.00; Quality Welding, Inc $22.00; Steven Lust Automotive $37.50; Thee Glass Doktor, LLC $202.50. Supplies: Aaron Dosch $2,144.00; Amazon Capital Services, Inc., $30.09; Auto Value Aberdeen $204.79; Bob Barker Company Inc. $128.61; Cole Papers, Inc $258.30; Crawford Trucks & Equipment $718.00; Dakota Oil $42.90; Fastenal Company $125.94; Fox Law Firm, PLLC $4.94; Geffdog Designs $184.00; Great Western Tire $2,639.70; LabSource, Inc $504.98; Lawson Products, Inc $1,750.06; Leidholdt Tool Sales, LLC $151.71; Lewis Drug Store $44.36; Lucy Lewno $2.25; Menards $84.35; Performance Oil $344.24; PharmChem, Inc $53.00; Pheasantland Industries $300.00; Steven Lust Automotive $55.45; Thee Glass Doktor, LLC $40.00; Tri-State Water $95.50. Travel & Conference: Dave Lunzman $434.00; Heartland Association of Fairs, Festivals & Events $1,320.00; JDHQ Hotels, LLC $714.00. Utilities: AT&T $186.80; CenturyLink $479.19; Midcontinent Communications $327.44; Northwestern Energy $16,202.40. Other: Beck Motors $46,914.60.
Payroll: Commission $4,753.89; Elections $5,882.79; Auditor $10,119.13; Treasurer $17,265.64; SA $33,240.69; Maintenance $11,839.23; Assessor $15,706.27; Register of Deeds $10,406.83; VSO $4,485.22; GIS $2,790.90; IT $9,172.67; HR $5,013.51; Sheriff $48,867.06; Jail $74,741.26; Coroner $899.37; Court Security $9,630.51; JDC $35,412.05; Welfare $2,466.75; Museum $11,774.44; Parks/Fairgrounds $6,346.70; Fair Board $4,336.34; 4-H $830.80; Weed $5,315.68; Planning & Zoning $7,687.73; Highway $54,345.14; Dispatch $38,980.02; Emergency $5,208.67; 24/7 Sobriety $2,709.59; Landfill $20,012.24; FICA $27,397.30; Medicare $6,407.43; Discovery_HSA $2,369.15; Health Insurance_Wellmark BCBS $126,743.77; Dental Insurance_Delta $8,916.42; Life Insurance_Dearborn $1,047.54; Retirement_SDRS $55,955.10. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
HR REPORT: Moved by Commissioner Sutton, seconded by Wiese to acknowledge and approve the following Human Resource Report submitted by Human Resources Director, Allison Tunheim:
- Hiring of Alex Conn as Brown County Jail Detention Officer, FT; starting wage $21.29/hr. – effective November 12, 2024.
- Hiring of William Bishop as Brown County Landfill Scale Operator, PT; starting wage $18.36/hr. – effective November 6, 2024.
- Re-hire of Tracy Madsen as Brown County State’s Attorney Legal Assistant, FT; starting wage $22.37/hr. – effective November 13, 2024.
- Transfer of Jacob Kumpf from FT Brown County Jail Detention Officer to FT Brown County Deputy Sheriff; starting wage $25.94/hr. – effective November 12, 2024.
- Approve personal miles driven for July 2024 at .655 per mile as follows: Joshua Matthew 235.60 miles at $154.32; Matt Heupel 100 miles at $65.50; John Florey 132 miles at $86.46; Mike Scott 200 miles at $131.00.
- Approve personal miles driven for August 2024 at .655 per mile as follows: Joshua Matthew 234 miles at $153.27; Matt Heupel 80 miles at $52.40; John Florey 126 miles at $82.53; Mike Scott 170 miles at $111.35.
- Approve personal miles driven for September 2024 at .655 per mile as follows: Joshua Matthew 240 miles at $157.20; Matt Heupel 105 miles at $68.78; John Florey 120 miles at $78.60; Mike Scott 160 miles at $104.80.
All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
CLAIM ASSIGNMENTS: Moved by Commissioner Gage, seconded by Wiese to approve and authorize Auditor Heupel to sign the Claim Assignments against individuals to Credit Collections Bureau for the purpose of collecting liens. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
OTHER BUSINESS: None
EXECUTIVE SESSION: None
ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Commissioner Wiese, seconded by Dennert to adjourn the Brown County Commission at 9:04 a.m. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
Lynn Heupel, Brown County Auditor
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