The Board of Brule County Commissioners met in regular session at 9:30 a.m. at the Brule County Courthouse. Members present: Nesladek, Mairose, Rasmussen, Carson and Dozark. Also present: Janet Petrak, Central Dakota Times, Rita R, Chamberlain Oacoma Sun, States Attorney Theresa Maule Rossow and Deputy States Attorney David Larson.

APPROVE MINUTES

Commissioner Dozark moved and Commissioner Carson seconded to approve the November 19, 2019 minutes. All members voted aye. Motion carried.

GRANDVIEW TOWNSHIP

Jim Ketelhut, Mike Andera and Herman Peterson were in attendance and presented a bill to the County for building a portion of 345^th Avenue up to have access to their fields located south of the portion of road that was under water. Ketelhut explained that it is the only access to the fields and as Grandview Township is unorganized the County is responsible for the road maintenance in that township. Chairman Nesladek advised that portion of the road has never been maintained, the road was only maintained to the driveway of the residence that used to be there (Sluka residence). The bill from R & J Gravel was for $2,040.00. Commissioner Rasmussen moved and Commissioner Dozark seconded to pay the bill from R & J Gravel, but wanted to clarify that portion of the road will be marked no maintenance. Roads were designated at the last commissioners meeting as minimum and/or no maintenance (November 19, 2019). All members voted aye. Motion carried.

EAGLE TOWNSHIP

Danny Kott and Kirk Surat, Eagle Township supervisors, approached the Brule County Commissioners regarding assisting in the cost of graveling 357^th Avenue (2 miles) as the County roads in this area are under water and more traffic is accessing the township road. Kott advised with the additional traffic on this road the township had to put 33 loads of gravel on the road resulting in a $17,000 cost and this will be a large expense for their township. Kott also advised that they are working with FEMA for some reimbursements on this road also. Commissioner Mairose moved and Commissioner Carson seconded to table a decision on this at this time. All members voted aye. Motion carried.

PERSONNEL

Commissioner Carson moved and Commissioner Dozark seconded to increase Desi Wranek’s wage .50 ($13.52) as she has completed and passed her certification exam, effective December 2, 2019. All members voted aye. Motion carried.

Commissioner Carson moved and Commissioner Dozark seconded to increase the Highway workers hourly wage $1.60/hour plus the .40 scheduled hourly wage effective January 1, 2020 due to the inability to hire and retain highway workers at our current wage structure. Employees currently on probation are exempt. All members voted aye. Motion carried.

NURSE CONTRACT

Commissioner Rasmussen moved and Commissioner Dozark seconded to sign a contract with Department of Health. Department of Health will use the office on Mondays and Thursdays 9:30 am to 3:30 pm on the second floor of the Courthouse. The contract will run from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. The County’s cost will be $22,327.58. All members voted aye. Motion carried.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Emergency Manager, Katheryn Benton met with the Board regarding a Homeland Security Grant she has secured for 2019 for radios for Brule and Buffalo County and City of Chamberlain in the amount of $24,176.92. Benton explained that Brule County will have to purchase the radios and then submit the bill and will be reimbursed the funds. Commissioner Carson moved and Commissioner Rasmussen seconded to accept the grant and purchase the radios. All members voted aye. Motion carried.

Emergency Manager, Katheryn Benton also advised that the Automatic Electronic Defibillator (AED) in the Courthouse is outdated and needs to be updated. It is possible that the machine can be refurbished but if it cannot be a new one will have to be purchased, approximate cost of $2200. Commissioner Rasmussen moved and Commissioner Carson seconded to table a decision until we see if the current machine can be refurbished. All members voted aye. Motion carried.

COMPUTER - JAIL ADMINISTRATOR

Auditor Petrak advised that the computer that the Jail Administrator Kathy Allison was using (one of the computers that was 5 years old) had crashed and she needs a computer to do the Jail paperwork. A quote was obtained from Tech Solutions for a laptop computer and Midstate was contacted for a quote but had not been received by the meeting. Research was also done online and a similar computer (larger memory) could be ordered online for a cheaper price. Commissioner Carson moved and Commissioner Mairose seconded to table until more information could be obtained. All members voted aye. Motion carried.

PLAT

Commissioner Carson moved and Commissioner Rasmussen seconded to approve the following plat for Michael Priebe: A plat of Priebe Tract A, a subdivision of the SW ¼ of Section 14 T104N R70W of the 5^th PM, Brule County, SD. All members voted aye. Motion carried.

POOR RELIEF

Commissioner Rasmussen moved and Commissioner Dozark seconded to approve a poor relief claim for a burial with Hickey Funeral Home for $2,549.00 as the individual qualified for County assistance. All members voted aye. Motion carried.

PUBLIC DEFENDER PROPOSAL

October 1, 2019 Dava Wermers, Ashley Anson and Pam Hein proposed starting a public defender contract with Brule County to handle the Court Appointments. Commissioner Rasmussen moved and Commissioner Carson seconded to decline the proposal. All members voted aye. Motion carried.

CONTINGENCY TRANSFERS

Commissioner Carson moved and Commissioner Mairose seconded to transfer $61,258.00 from contingency to the following budgets:

$ 395.00 Election Budget

$ 1068.00 CLERP Budget

$ 20,000.00 Abused and Neglected Court Appointed Attorney Budget

$ 20,000.00 Court Appointed Attorney

$ 13,795.00 States Attorney Budget

$ 6,000.00 Mental Illness Budget

All members voted aye. Motion carried.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Commissioner Carson moved and Commissioner Rasmussen seconded to enter executive session at 10:07 am to discuss personnel and legal issues. Executive session declared over at 10:40 am, no action taken.

Commissioner Mairose moved and Commissioner Carson seconded to enter executive session at 11:00 am to discuss legal issues. Executive session declared over at 11:21 am. No action taken.

AUDITOR’S ACCOUNT WITH THE TREASUER

The Auditor’s Account with the Treasurer showed a 11-30-19 balance of $5,726,261.33 in all state, county, civil, school & trust funds.

REGISTER OF DEEDS STATEMENT OF FEES

The Register of Deeds Statement of Fees showed a collection of $4,776.15 for November, 2019.

REPORTS & CORRESPONDENCE

The following reports were received and placed on file in the County Auditor’s office: Auditors Account with the Treasure, Register of Deeds Statement of Fees, 911 PSAP, SDACC, EMC Insurance.

APPROVE CLAIMS

Commissioner Carson moved and Commissioner Dozark seconded to approve the following payroll and claims. All members voted aye. Motion carried.

GENERAL FUND

Commissioner Commissioners, 1521.80; Auditor, 2917.03; Treasurer, 3114.97; States Attorney, 2907.38; Assessor, 3285.91; Planning Commission, 189.56; Register of Deeds, 2881.14; Veteran Service Officer, 485.66; Sheriff, 9244.66; Jail, 8447.28; Courthouse, 1237.60; Extension, 321.48, Weed & Pest, 292.40. FICA & Medicare: First Dakota Bank, 2925.22. Retirement: SDRS, 2145.11. Insurance Reimbursement: 3409.80. Insurance: Lifestyle Health Insurance, 6893.04. Anson, Ashley, 826.50; Bomgaars Supply, 188.00; C & B Operations, 16.51; Chamberlain Wholesale, 76.80; Dakota Counseling, 169.00; EMC Insurance, 1000.00; First Dakota Bank, 378.77; Goehring, Nicholas, 54.20; Ground Effects, 835.00; Hanig, James, 116.80; Hartman, Steve, 111.76; Healy, Brandy, 55.88; Hein Law Office, 2127.20; Hopkins Plumbing & Heating, 296.37; Howe, Dale, 130.24; Hutmacher Drilling Inc, 94.90; Johnson,Carol, 212.32; Katterhagen, Mark, 15.00 Konechne, Monica, 150.40; Konrad, Robert, 1117.55; Lewno, Lucy, 166.50; Light and Siren, 441.68; Lockwood, Darcy, 15.00; Maule, Theresa, 2170.17; Miller, Darrell, 4311.00; Northwestern, 2847.25; Odens, Alice, 101.68; Office Products Center, 544.03; Pennington County Jail, 385.10; Peterson, Stephanie, 101.68; Petty Cash, 270.62; Ramkota Hotel – Pierre, 77.00; Reliance Telephone, 350.00; Ruggieri, Gina, 1452.25; Sanford Health Network, 582.00; Sinclair, Kraig, 75.20; SD Association of County Commissioners, 1,510.00; SD States Attorney’s Association, 748.00; Steve Smith Law Office, 1821.66; State Theatre & Video, 75.00; Verizon Wireless, 70.88; Weathercraft Companies, 20,734.00; Wermers Dava, 270.00; West Group, 47.93.

ROAD & BRIDGE FUND

Salaries: 9281.01. FICA & Medicare: First Dakota Bank, 709.43. Retirement: SDRS, 556.87. Insurance Reimbursement: 266.39. Insurance: Lifestyle Health Insurance, 3753.97. B & L Communications, 751.00; Bomgaars Supply, 71.15; Burke Oil Company, 153.26; Butler, 1352.12; C & B Operations, 202.50; City of Chamberlain, 4500.00; Lyle Signs, 398.96; Meyerink Farm Service, 56.25; Northwestern, 300.35; Overweg Repair, 261.10; Vander Haags Inc, 352.39.

24/7 FUND

Salaries: 441.26. FICA & Medicare: First Dakota Bank, 36.70. Retirement: SDRS, 36.16. Insurance Reimbursement: 53.27. Insurance: Lifestyle Health Insurance, 156.25.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FUND

Salaries: 555.80. FICA & Medicare: First Dakota Bank, 51.24. Retirement: SDRS, 33.35. Insurance Reimbursement: 266.39.

ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Mairose moved and Commissioner Rasmussen seconded to adjourn at 11:34 am with the next meeting being held on 12-17-2019 at 9:30 am. All members voted aye. Motion carried.