By Aberdeen Insider - October 23, 2025 in BROWN COUNTY COMMISSION
NOTICE OF OCTOBER 14, 2025 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, 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: None
TIPPING FEES FOR HOMES ARE POSSBLE, INC.: Darin Beckius, Executive Director for Homes Are Possible, Inc. (HAPI) met with the Commission requesting to have Tipping Fees at the Landfill when they have to demolish a home. Darin explained that by lowering their costs, they can pass on the savings so more buyers can afford the homes, and they try to catch the homes before they have to do demolition. Mike Scott, Landfill Manager, stressed that the Tipping Fees are where the Landfill gets their Revenue and needs to build another new cell. Ken Hubbard, Community Development Director with City of Aberdeen, commented that they have their own agreement with the County and they are supportive of HAPI and all they do but they are not here to support their cause, this is their ask to go forward with. The City has had a great relationship working with the County Commission and Mike Scott on the properties they demolish and come back to the County for taxes, and they don’t want this to disrupt that agreement. After further discussion, Commissioner Dinger made a motion to waive the tipping fees for HAPI, Inc. on home demolitions for three (3) years and they will revisit the arrangement at that time. Commissioner Wiese seconded the motion. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
DRAWDOWN REQUEST FOR LANDFILL COMPACTOR: Moved by Commissioner Wiese, seconded by Dennert to approve and authorize Chairman Sutton to sign the Drawdown Request for the Landfill Compactor from SD Dept. of Agriculture & Natural Resources (DANR) Environmental Funding Program. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
BUNTROCK EXHIBIT: Patricia Kendall, Dacotah Prairie Museum Director, met with the Commission to let them know that they were asked to be closed to the public from November 10-22, 2025 so that the Exhibit Components for the Dean Buntrock Gallery could be installed. The exhibit will be open the first week of December 2025.
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS LUNCHEON: Patricia Kendall, who is a member of the League of Women Voter’s extended a personal invite to the Commission to attend the Luncheon they are providing to the County Commission and Department Heads on October 23, 2025.
FAIR BOARD BY-LAWS: Rachel Kippley, Fair/Fairgrounds/Parks Manager met with the Commission to approve the following revisions to the Fair Board By-Laws: Under Article II – Board, Section 1 Membership: In the event that vacancies on the Fair Board cannot be filled by January, the Fair Board may elect to ask members that have completed their second, three (3) year term to return to the Fair Board for the remainder of that one (1) additional year. Spouses may not serve on the Fair Board simultaneously; Under Section 2 – Executive Committee: While serving on the Fair Board, spouses and family members of Fair Office Staff cannot be prohibited from serving on the Executive Committee if elected. Commissioner Dinger voiced some concerns and made a motion to postpone approving the changes, the motion died due to lack of a second. Moved by Commissioner Gage, seconded by Dennert to approve the revisions listed above for the Fair Board By-Laws. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
Chairman Sutton shared a recommended By-law change to deal with potential reasons for being removed from the Fair Board addressing a member that moves from Brown County to an adjacent County; suggested to make a change in the By-Laws under Membership adding to be eligible to be on the Brown County Fair Board you have to reside in Brown County or an adjacent county. Due to the number of people that drive into Aberdeen every day for work, shopping or doctor visits. The one member lives in Britton, but their children are enrolled in Brown County 4-H Club. In addition, we draw people in from these areas during the Fair. Commissioner Dennert added that he agrees but would like to see a limit on the number of members outside of Brown County; he suggested 4 or 5 people (20-25%) and underline the involvement that is required.
FAIR BOARD MEMBER RECOMMENDATIONS: Rachel Kippley, Fair/Fairgrounds/Parks Manager shared that the Fair Board recommended appointing the following to the Fair Board: New Members for their first 3-year term – Payton Carda, Kevin Heinrich, Nicole Hansen, Samantha Hockenbrock and Jeff Swingler; Reappoint the following for their second 3-year terms: Conald Burgard, Brodie Mueller and Rhonda Retzlaff. Moved by Commissioner Dinger, seconded by Wiese to approve the Fair Board recommendations and appoint the members listed above to the Fair Board. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
CARNIVAL CONTRACT ADDENDUM: Rachel Kippley, Fair/Fairgrounds/Parks Manager asked the Commission to approve and authorize Chairman Sutton to sign the Addendum to Brown County Fair Carnival to exercise the “One-Year Option” for 2026 as outlined in Section 5 of the original contract with the exception of the following amendment: Section 8.b “Agreed upon prices for 2026 for one (1) full day wristband/armband will be $30.00 in advance and $37.00 on the first day of the carnival operation BCF. Agreed upon price for one (1) weeklong mega pass will go from $70 to $90 and they shall cease to be sold on August 1 each year. Moved by Commissioner Wiese, seconded by Gage to approve and authorize Chairman Sutton to the sign the Addendum for 2026 and changing the price from $70 to $90 for the weeklong mega pass. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
RFP FOR OPERATION OF GRANDSTAND CONCESSIONS: Rachel Kippley, Fair/Fairgrounds/Parks Manager presented specifications along with the Public Notice requesting proposals for “Operation of Grandstand Concessions during Brown County Fair in years 2026, 2027 and 2028”. Moved by Commissioner Wiese, seconded by Gage to approve and authorize advertising the RFP for Operation of Grandstand Concessions to be opened on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at 8:45 A.M. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
WEED & PEST BOARD MEMBER RECOMMENDATION: Chris Hemen, Weed & Pest Supervisor, informed the Commission that he would recommend appointing Landon Ellingson to the Weed & Pest Board to replace Duane Jark who has retired from the Board. Moved by Commissioner Wiese, seconded by Dennert to appoint Landon Ellingson to the Weed & Pest Board. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
FAIRGROUNDS ANNEXATION AGREEMENT WITH CITY OF ABERDEEN: Chairman Sutton shared information regarding the Agreement between the City of Aberdeen and Brown County to Annex the Fairgrounds. Commissioner Wiese moved to approve the agreement and authorize Chairman Sutton to sign the agreement contingent upon the Aberdeen City Ordinance No. 25-10-03 passing, then being able to sign it after the Ordinance is in effect. Seconded by Dinger. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #311 – FIRST READING: Moved by Commissioner Dennert, seconded by Wiese to approve the First Reading of Proposed Ordinance #311. Applicant David Sieh 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, “Sieh Family First Addition” in the SE1/4 of Section 13-T125N-R62W of the 5th P.M., Brown County, South Dakota (39970 121st Street; Columbia Twp.). All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
YOUTH CAMP HAYLAND LEASE RENEWAL: Moved by Commissioner Wiese, seconded by Gage to approve and authorize Chairman Sutton to sign the Lease Option Renewal Addendum for Dustin Bitz to lease the Richmond Youth Camp Hayland for 2026. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
ADOPT RESOLUTION #2025-49 – PRECINCT BOUNDARIES:
Commissioner Wiese offered the following Resolution:
RESOLUTION #2025-49
RESOLUTION TO ADOPT VOTING PRECINCT BOUNDARIES
WHEREAS, as per SDCL 12-14-1, the Brown County Board of County Commissioners may be Resolution change the boundaries of election precincts already established; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aberdeen has Eleven (11) precincts and per HB 1103 being effective on January 1, 2026, combining municipalities and school elections with the primary or general election; and
WHEREAS, it is more cost effective to reduce the number of precincts for the Primary Election; and
WHEREAS, Brown County uses Vote Centers which per SDCL 12-14-17 the entire jurisdiction is designated as one voting precinct for the election; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of Brown County that the Voting Precinct Boundaries of Brown County located in the City of Aberdeen shall be as follows:
Precinct 001 = NW Precinct
Precinct 002 = NE Precinct
Precinct 003 = SW Precinct
Precinct 004 = SE Precinct
WHICH IN TURN will renumber the other precincts as follows and former precincts 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 & 22 from this day forward cease to exist:
Precinct 012 = Precinct 005
Precinct 013 = Precinct 006
Precinct 014 = Precinct 007
Precinct 015 = Precinct 008
Precinct 016 = Precinct 009
Precinct 017 = Precinct 010
Precinct 018 = Precinct 011
Precinct 019 = Precinct 012
Precinct 020 = Precinct 013
Precinct 021 = Precinct 014
Precinct 022 = Precinct 015
BE IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that the map showing and defining the boundaries of the precincts within the City of Aberdeen herein shall be attached to this Resolution as Exhibit A and map showing all the precincts in Brown County herein shall be attached to this Resolution as Exhibit B and incorporated as a part thereof. This Resolution shall be in effect indefinitely unless repealed or modified by duly enacted Resolution.
Dated this 14th day of October 2025.
Seconded by Commissioner Gage.
Roll Call Vote: Commissioners Dennert-nay; Dinger-nay; Gage-aye; Sutton-aye; Wiese-aye. Resolution adopted.
MINUTES: Moved by Commissioner Wiese, seconded by Gage to approve the General Meeting Minutes of October 7, 2025. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
CLAIMS: Moved by Commissioner Dennert, seconded by Gage to approve the following claims: Professional Fees: Aberdeen ED $110.65; Alcohol Monitoring Systems, Inc. $1,740.80; Avera St Luke’s Hospital $1,816.89; Brick’s TV and Appliance $1,653.75; Brown County 4-H Leaders Association $5,200.00; Carrels & Bain Family Dental Care, LLC $764.83; Certified Languages International LLC $1,669.80; CGI, LLC $900.00; Cogley Law Office, Prof LLC $5,912.76; Dakota Wood-Grinding Inc $47,340.00; Day County $4,275.00; Dohrer Law Office, PC $3,528.00; Faulk County Sheriff’s Office $2,700.00; First Interstate Bank $25.00; John Noyes – Bantz, Gosch & Cremer $3,948.00; Kristi Brandt $51.75; Kuck Law Office $7,788.74; Language Line Services, Inc $526.30; Minn-Kota Communications, Inc $6,450.00; Network Center, Inc $3,057.77; Northeastern Mental Health Center $7,058.33; PharmChem, Inc $2,350.35; Richardson, Wyly, Wise, Sauck & Hieb, LLP $120.00; Saber Shred Solutions $7,124.06; Sanford Clinic $547.56; Sanford Health Occupational Medicine $279.00; Sanford Health $291.00; SD Dept of Health $2,965.00; SDHSC $600.00; Sewer Duck, Inc $100.00; State of South Dakota PMB 0112 $102.33; Thomson Reuters – West Payment Center $595.49; Yellow Robe Consulting $1,800.00. Publishing: McQuillen Creative Group, Inc $263.74. Rentals: Dakota Electronics LLC $118.40; Pantorium Cleaners Inc $155.52; Vestis $333.10. Repairs & Maintenance: B & E Siding & Windows Inc $2,334.33; Craftco Inc. $1,543.00; Custom Installation Solutions $20,180.00; Diesel Machinery, Inc $11,744.94; EcoLab Pest Elimination Division $303.58; Hoven Auto Repair, Inc $208.36; Jason’s Electric Inc $120.69; KONE $4,906.68; Pantorium Cleaners Inc $287.80; Pomp’s Tire Service, Inc $51.00; South Dakota Underground $4,540.82; Steven Lust Automotive $308.11. Supplies: Aberdeen Lumber LLC $47.65; Amazon Capital Services, Inc $728.81; Central Network Retail Group LLC $5.69; Coca-Cola Bottling Company High Country $606.00; Cole Paper Inc $3,661.39; Cook’s Correctional $229.99; Craftco Inc. $13,744.50; Dakota Electronics LLC $805.00; Dakota Oil $443.55; Diesel Machinery, Inc $646.16; Hall Sand & Gravel, Inc $5,502.27; Hoven Auto Repair, Inc $56.00; John Noyes – Bantz, Gosch & Cremer $149.22; Johnson Brothers of South Dakota, Inc. $801.62; Kayla Weis $50.00; Kessler’s $307.93; Kuck Law Office $194.63; Lien Transportation Company $107,482.50; Linde Gas & Equipment Inc $176.26; Menards $233.71; Performance Oil $471.19; Premier Auto $85.00; Rinse & Go Car Wash $37.00; Road Rake Attachments $5,000.00; Safety Service $400.00; Stan Houston Equipment Company, Inc $733.85; Steven Lust Automotive $34.95. Travel & Conference: CGI, LLC $26.13; Duane Jark $101.38; John Andersen $20.00; Karly Winter $925.16; Lynn Heupel $233.80; Neil Bittner $14.00; Scott Kolb $14.00; SDSU Extension $95.52. Utilities: AT&T Mobility $43.23; City of Aberdeen Treasurer $1,667.31; Midwest Alarm Fire & Security Systems $306.73; Northern Electric $93.50; Northwestern Energy $402.67. Other: SD Assoc of County Officials $808.00; SD Dept of Agriculture & Natural Resources $4,723.19. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
HR REPORT: Moved by Commissioner Dinger, seconded by Wiese to approve the Human Resource Report submitted by Human Resources Director, Allison Tunheim:
- Last day for Seasonal Workers, Brown County Fairgrounds – effective September 30, 2025
- Richard Burns
- Terrence Dosch
- Last day for PT (as needed) Bartenders – effective October 19, 2025
- Jerri Bierman
- Kristi Kriech
- Laurie Gibson
- Resignation of Riely Thomas as Brown County Jail Detention Officer; FT – effective October 21, 2025.
- Amendment to October 7, 2025 HR Report, adjusted start date for Wyatt Youngblom as Brown County Jail Detention Officer; FT from October 15, 2025 to October 14, 2025.
- Amendment to September 30, 2025 HR Report, adjusted resignation date for Milton Gonzales Sambolin as Brown County Jail Detention Officer; FT from October 14, 2025 to October 17, 2025.
All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
TRAVEL REQUESTS: Moved by Commissioner Wiese, seconded by Dinger to approve the following Travel Requests: Dirk Rogers, John Florey & Josh Matthews, Highway Department to attend Local Roads Conference on October 19-21, 2025 in Sioux Falls; Brayan Gordon, Sheriff’s Office to attend Drones for First Responders on April 20-23, 2026 in Aberdeen. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
OTHER BUSINESS: None
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Moved by Commissioner Wiese, seconded by Dennert to go into Executive Session for Personnel per SDCL 1-25-2. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
The Chair declared the executive session closed with No Action taken.
ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Commissioner Wiese, seconded by Dennert to adjourn the Brown County Commission at 9:54 a.m. All members present voting aye. Motion carried.
Lynn Heupel, Brown County Auditor
Published once on October 23, 2025, at the total approximate cost of $155.48 and may be viewed free of charge at www.sdpublicnotices.com and www.aberdeeninsider.com