December 3, 2024
STANLEY COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING
MINUTES
December 3, 2024
The regular meeting of the Stanley County Commission was called to order at 5:00 P.M.(CT) by Chairman Craig Heller, with Commissioners Mike Kenzy, Dana Iversen, Sonny Harrowa and Gary Grittner. Also present was State’s Attorney Tom P Maher, Treasurer Bill Konst, Larry McQuistion, Barb McQuistion, Mike McQuistion, Jeff Birkeland, Shad Riggle, Darla Tibbs, Raymond Tibbs, Lura Kirkpatrick, Sharon Anker, Alan Anker, Eric Eischens, Lauren May, Mitch May, Sara Kelly, Jeff Roberts, Clifford Tibbs, Peggy Tibbs, Patti Petersen, Shane Kramme, Kaitlin Sherer, Jackson Sherer, Rob Sherer, Blake Norman, Randi Norman, Tanya Heller, Kathy Weishar, David Abeln, Dave Goldammer, Cody Nickolas, Aimee Nickolas, LaVon Cole, Daryl Cole, Billy Webb, Levi Tibbs, David K Hansen, Kelly Tibbs, Rex Haskin, Dodie Garrity, Carol Olson, David McFarland, Mindy Kirkpatrick, Teri Heninger, Jed Breuker, Ron McQuistion, Richard Siedschlaw, Graiden Siedschlaw, Greg Swanson, RWE Matthew Spaccapaniccia, Sue Hansen, and Auditor Philena Burtch. The meeting commenced with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA: Motion by Sonny Harrowa, second by Dana Iversen, to approve the Agenda. All voted Aye. Motion Carried.
MINUTES: Motion by Mike Kenzy, second by Sonny Harrowa, to approve November 7, 2024, Minutes. All voted Aye. Motion Carried.
CLAIMS: Motion by Dana Iversen, second by Mike Kenzy, to approve Claims as presented. All voted Aye. Motion Carried.
ACE STEEL & RECYCLING INC 189.56 R&B SUPPL
ACE STEEL & RECYCLING INC 52.39 FRGRNDS MAINT
AGE CORP 199.50 MV COMM REFUND
AMERICAN MEDICAL RESPONSE INC 3918.30 NOV SUBSIDY BILLING
ARAMARK 153.88 R&B MAINT
AT&T MOBILITY 480.78 CELL PHONES
AVERA MEDICAL GRP PIERRE 707.86 MED CARE/JUV MED CARE
JB 51.34 CS
BELL BANK EQUIPMENT FINANCE 22819.40 2019 SNOW BLAST SNOWBLOWER
BLACK HILLS CHEMICAL & JANITOR 598.99 GOV BLDG SUPPL
DENNIS BOOTH 23.01 POST-ELECTN AUDIT BRD
GB 51.34 CS
JODI BOTHWELL 11.99 DOE SUPPL REIMB
BOTTOM LINE WELDING 185.00 R&B SUPPL
CAPITAL AREA COUNSELING INC 1295.00 OCTOBER MCR
CAPITAL AREA REFUSE LLC 272.68 GOV BLDG/FRNDS TRASH BILLING
CELERITY INTERNET 136.94 FRGRNDS WIFI
CENTRAL CULVERT SUPPLY 2176.00 R&B SUPPL
CENTRAL DAKOTA EYECARE 150.00 MEDICAL CARE
CENTURY BUSINESS PRODUCTS 416.23 COPIER LEASE & COPIES
CENTURYLINK 85.28 4 CORNERS REPEATER
CHRISTY LUMBER 35.86 R&B SUPPL
CHRISTY LUMBER 16.00 FRGRNDS MAINT
COLUMN SOFTWARE PBC 430.34 COMM MINS/NOTICE OF AUDIT
COMMUNITY YOUTH INVOLVED INC 2083.34 DECEMBER SUPPORT
CONNECTING POINT 919.50 SRVR MAINT
COVE PLACE ROAD DISTRICT 250.00 COVE ROAD DIST
CC 52.68 CS
COWBOY COUNTRY STORES 100.00 GOV BLDG FUEL
JC 52.68 CS
JLF ENTERPRISES INC 93.41 GOV BLDG SUPPL
DEPARTMNT OF LEGISLATIVE AUDIT 19128.50 2020-2021 STATE AUDIT
JOHN DUFFY 80.00 CH SHOP LOT RENT - DEC
CE 54.02 CS
ELECTION SYSTEMS & SOFTWARE 1200.86 ELECTION SRVC CONTRACT
GINGER FENWICK 25.56 POST-ELECTN AUDIT BRD
FLEET SERVICES 743.39 R&B/FRGRNDS FUEL
FLOYD'S TRUCK CENTER 5422.36 R&B REPR/MAINT/SUPPL-T3/T2/T8
FLOYD'S KUBOTA 1153.39 R&B SUPPL-P9
FORT PIERRE CITY 619818.84 DUE TO CITY OF FORT PIERRE
FORT PIERRE CITY 75.82 EXT COPIER LEASE & COPIES
FORT PIERRE CITY 2453.21 UTILITIES
ROGER FULLER 24.54 POST-ELECTN AUDIT BRD
GENERAL MOTORS LLC 99.00 MV REFUND
GOLDEN WEST TELECOMMUNICATIONS 200.00 E-911
GRAHAM TIRE COMPANY 1003.20 R&B REPAIR/MAINT/SUPPL-P9
GROSSENBURG IMPLEMENT OF PIERR 17826.24 R&B TRACTOR RENTAL/SUPPL
LH 50.00 CS
HOGEN'S HARDWARE HANK 26.97 FRGRNDS REPAIR & MAINT
CODY L HONEYWELL 494.50 CRT APPT ATTRNY
HUGHES COUNTY FINANCE OFFICE 16323.50 OCT JAIL BILL/MENTAL ILLNESS
INLAND TRUCK PARTS 71.54 R&B SUPPL
JANIS JONES 23.52 POST-ELECTN AUDIT BRD
LK 50.00 CS
LANGUAGE LINE SERVICES 206.55 CRT PROF SRVC
LARRY'S PLUMBING LLC 1847.00 GOV BLDGS WINTERIZATION
LAWSON PRODUCTS INC 71.32 R&B MAINT/SUPPL
LOCATORS & SUPPLIES INC 771.43 R&B MAINT/SUPPL
MABERRY CONSTRUCTION 26.94 MV REFUND
MAY ADAM GERDES & THOMPSON LLP 3737.50 CRT APPT ATTRNY
MENARDS - PIERRE 680.52 GOV BLDG/FRGRNDS/R&B SPPL/MNT
MG OIL COMPANY 223.88 R&B SUPPL
MIDCONTINENT COMMUNICATION 175.51 COUNTY SHOP PHONE & INTERNET
MIDCONTINENT COMMUNICATION 261.82 OFFICE INTERNET
M0 SHORES DOMESTIC VIOL CENTER 520.00 ANNUAL SUPPORT
MATT MITCHELL 20.00 SUBPOENA
MONTANA-DAKOTA UTILITIES CO 52.79 COUNTY SHOP NATURAL GAS
MONTANA-DAKOTA UTILITIES CO 315.05 CH BLDG/FRGRNDS NATURAL GAS
MORRIS INC 98.99 R&B SUPPL
SCOTT PAZOUR 197.00 MV REFUND
SP 51.34 CS
CITY OF PIERRE 440.00 AUG/SEPT/OCT/NOV MEDICAL DIRCT
PIERRE SOLID WASTE FACILITY 3.50 GOV BLDG MAINT
PITNEY BOWES 345.07 POSTAGE
POWERPLAN BF 314.44 R&B MAINT/SUPPL
TANNER PRINCE 43.46 SUBPOENA
QUILL CORPORATION 737.93 OFFICE SUPPL
RED RIVER ARENAS 98.50 FRGRNDS MAINT
REDWOOD TOXICOLOGY LABORATORY 174.00 TOXICOLOGY TESTS
RITER ROGERS WATTIER & 644.00 CRT APPT ATTRNY
ROBINS WATER CONDITIONING INC 12.00 R&B SUPPL
RUNNINGS SUPPLY INC 239.96 R&B SUPPL
RUNNINGS SUPPLY INC 243.33 FRGRNDS MAINT
STANLEY COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 1616511.01 DUE TO SC SCHOOL
SCHREIBER ELECTRIC LLC 369.62 CH BLDG/FRGRNDS REPAIR & MAINT
JOAN BOOS SCHUELLER 724.50 CRT APPT ATTRNY
SD BUREAU OF ADMINISTRATION 140.62 OFFICE LONG DIST/BIT
SD DEPTMENT OF REVENUE 98706.13 MV/VITALS/MENTAL/ANIMAL CNTRL
SD DEPTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 2265.52 R&B BRIDGE INSPECTN
SD ASSN OF COUNTY COMMISSIONER 1856.00 SDACC/NACO MRMBRSHIP DUES
SD ASSC OF COUNTY HWY SUPT 350.00 NACE/SDACHS DUES
SD ASSOC OF COUNTY OFFICIALS 98.00 ROD M/P FUND
SD ASSOC OF COUNTY OFFICIALS 789.16 SDACO MEMBERSHIP DUES
SDRS 720.41 OCTOBER INTEREST
SECURITY LOCK SERVICE 20.00 GOV BLDG SUPPL
SERVALL UNIFORM/LINEN CO 184.50 GOV BLDG SUPPL
SIEBRASSE LAW OFFICE PC 2638.63 CRT APPT ATTRNY
DON LEE SMITH 732.75 R&B MAINT/SUPPL REIMB
K THOMPSON LAW PROF LLC 11344.10 CRT APPT ATTRNY
TITAN MACHINERY 361.43 R&B SUPPL
VANGUARD APPRAISALS INC 3000.00 DOE REMOTE LICENSE
MONA WEIGER 161.70 CRT RPRTR
WHALEN LAW OFFICE PC 9372.25 CRT APPT ATTRNY
PATRICIA WORD 22.04 SUBPOENA
ZANDER AUTO PARTS 1558.43 R&B SUPPL
ZANDER AUTO PARTS 145.24 FRGRNDS MAINT
Treasurer Report: Treasurer Bill Konst informed the Commission of interest earned for November is $19,165.14, Wheel Tax collection is $4,947.95, and delinquent taxes to collect is $10,140.33.
Auditor Report: Auditor Philena Burtch presented the Commissioners with the October 2024 Budget Expenditure Report showing each department’s expenses as of October 31, 2024, and Outstanding Disbursements as of December 3, 2024.
SALARIES BY OFFICE: Commissioners - $3,745.31; Auditor - $5,966.99; Treasurer - $5,937.90; States Attorney - $11,022.53; Custodial - $2,645.23; Director of Equalization - $5,663.21; Register of Deeds - $3,875.38; Road & Bridge - $24,208.35; Weed & Pest - $262.68; Fairgrounds - $6,011.54; Extension - $1,380.39; Planning & Zoning - $190.24; Employee Health Insurance - $19,781.60; SD Retirement System, withheld and match - $11,631.74; Electronic Transfer; FICA, Medicare, and Withholding Tax - $21,469.89.
Register of Deeds:
Regular Fees November 2024 - $1,698.86
Transfer Fees November 2024 - $3,770.00
Post-Election Audit Report: Auditor Burtch informed the Commission that the Post-Election Audit went well for the 2024 General Election. The Post-Election Audit Board hand counted 109 ballots from Precinct 03, Public Utilities Commissioner and Constitutional Amendment F. With training and the hand county, the Audit took 1 ½ hours. No discrepancies and no issues, everything balanced with the tabulator report that was run on November 5, 2024.
Windmill Energy Concerns: Around 50 people filled the Stanley County Courtroom to voice their concerns of a pending windmill farm in Stanley County. Raymond Tibbs stated that he understands a property owner rights, however, windmills are a public nuisance that has the potential to affect the health, safety, and welfare of the general public. Darla Tibbs stated that Stanley County needs to have good ordinances in place before this project goes any farther. A moratorium would be a good first step to give the County time to set ordinances with specifications, setbacks, and zoning. David K. Hansen stated if your land boarders a wind farm, check your insurance liability to make sure you will still be covered. Lura Kirkpatrick stated that these are not farms, they are an industry. Surrounding farms will not have the ability to spray their crops because the windmills will require a ‘no fly zone’ around them. Stanley County has a lot of rough terrain, we will not be able to have aerial support to fight wild fires across the land. Industrial wind parks produce a noise that causes health issues. Others spoke up about their concerns regarding inefficient type of energy producer, decommissions the land and cannot reclaim it, ice shedding from the blades of the windmills throws ice, and livestock and wildlife steer away from the turbines because of the noise. A lot of information was discussed, facts from other states, a book written by a South Dakota resident, Gregg Hubner, who built their dream home only to have it jeopardized by the wind farm scam; Paradise Destroyed: The Destruction of Rural Living by the Wind Energy Scam. Jeff Birkeland with West Central Electric stated that the only thing WCE would do is supply power to the substations.
RWE Clean Energy: Matthew Spaccapaniccia introduced himself and Sue Hansen. Matthew thanked everyone for their concerns. The proposed wind project is a 200-megawatt, 40-58 total turbines, 200-250 construction jobs over the course of 10-12 months, 5-8 long term local jobs. Temporary construction workers would bring in an influx to the local economy (hotels, gas stations, grocery stores, hardware stores, etc.) They are projecting $269.1 million, or $869,000 annual tax revenue overall. $6.8 million/$228,000 annually in total revenue to Stanley County from RWE paid property taxes. $9.8 million to Stanley County School District. After operation begins, in 4-5 years, Stanley County will see the first tax monies. RWE has submitted the application to the SD Public Utilities Commission.
Matthew addressed some of the concerns. The transmission cable lines for the turbines to transmit the energy to the substations are already in place. Before construction, RWE will request to obtain a Road Use Agreement with the County with RWE contractors maintaining the roads used to access the turbine sites. Regarding the ice shedding, that is what the setbacks are for. When the contract is coming to the end, if the windmill is still producing electricity, RWE will propose to renew the contract, if a contract is not approved, RWE will decommission the windmills by removing everything above ground. Some counties have set a bond, paid in full by RWE, prior to the construction of the project to assist the county with the funds needed to decommission the site.
Raise – Highway Department Tyrel Hall 50¢ per hour, 6 Months: Motion by Sonny Harrowa, second by Dana Iversen, to approve 6 Month 50¢ per hour raise for Highway Department Tyrel Hall, effective December 3, 2024. All voted Aye. Motion Carried.
4-H – SDSU and Stanley County Memorandum of Understanding: Motion by Gary Grittner, second by Mike Kenzy, to accept and approve Chairman Heller to sign SDSU and Stanley County 2025 Memorandum of Understanding. All voted Aye. Motion Carried.
SD Department of Health Public Health Nursing Services 2025 Contract: Motion by Mike Kenzy, second by Gary Grittner, to accept and approve Chairman Heller to sign SD Department of Health Public Health Nursing Services 2025 Contract. All voted Aye. Motion Carried.
SDDOT – FHWA Adjusted Urban Boundary: Motion by Dana Iversen, second by Sonny Harrowa, to accept the FHWA Adjusted Urban Boundary and approve Chairman Heller to sign. All voted Aye. Motion Carried.
Law Enforcement – City of Pierre and Stanley County Memorandum of Understanding – CentralSquare/Zuercher Technologies Software: Motion by Gary Grittner, second by Dana Iversen, to accept and approve Chairman Heller to sign City of Pierre and Stanley County Memorandum of Understanding – CentralSquare/Zuercher Technologies Software. All voted Aye. Motion Carried.
Update Courthouse Phone Service: Motion by Dana Iversen, second by Sonny Harrowa, to approve and accept the proposal from CommTech Inc. to update courthouse phone service to a VoIP/SIP Trunk system. All voted Aye. Motion Carried.
Year-End Commission Meeting – Thursday December 19, 2024
Christmas Holiday: Stanley County Offices will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday, December 24th and 25th, in observation of Christmas.
Adjournment: Motion by Gary Grittner, second by Mike Kenzy, to adjourn at 7:13 P.M. All voted Aye. Motion Carried.
ATTEST: BOARD OF STANLEY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
(SEAL)
Philena Burtch, Auditor Craig Heller, Chairman