County Commission - Regular Meeting

Order, Tuesday, June 13th of the Brookings County Commission, please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Number three on the agenda is approval of the agenda. Do I have a motion to approve? So moved. Second. Motion and a second. Any comments, questions, or changes? Hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Opposed say nay.

Motion carries.

Number four is an invitation for a citizen to schedule time on the commission agenda for an item not listed. There is a five minute time limit per person. Anyone wanting to speak during this agenda item must sign in prior to the start of the meeting. No commission action will be taken during this agenda item. Any requested action item may be scheduled for a future meeting date. Today we do have two people signed in. First one is Carla.

Good morning.

Good morning. Good morning.

My name is Carla Dieter. I have been a resident of Brookings for over 40 years. I'm a mother and a grandmother. And I'm here today to ask you to, when the consideration for funding for the library comes up, that you would consider AT THE VERY LEAST THAT THE FUNDING IS PAUSED UNTIL THEY INSTITUTE A RATING SYSTEM CALLED, AND THEY CAN BE, IT'S A NATIONAL RATING SYSTEM, IT'S CALLED RATEDBOOKS.ORG. At the very least, they would have to rate the books so that there would be, similar to how movies are rated, that parents and others, grandparents, would be able to see what that rating is and be able to make that decision. Otherwise, I'm asking you not to fund the library. Thank you.

Next one is Jeff Strui.

Good morning, Commissioners.

Good morning, Jeff.

I agree with Carla. Thank you. i have a little bit more to add but not but not much on similar lines i've been working on this with a number of people for probably four or five years we've gone through the legislative process and very little has been done we've gone to the school board and they have more intent on doing their objective rather than watching out for our children's interest so if if you see that they're for the children they're not for our children if you have pornography in schools in in the schools where 12 and 13 year olds are some of these books that you have on a list that was given to you if you read this you will find this in more than one of our schools so um i have gone through virtually every book that book looks has started from the beginning there was 250 to 300 books listed we covered virtually every school district of this state sent letters out to every legislator that that they have a school district if they have more than one school district attached to their district they received a letter for all the schools So this is just an awareness message, but this is now trying times. We're kind of at the end of the suggestion and awareness for this. So while trying to codify law and seeking to prevent our students being exposed to written or published pornography via book form, audio books, online books, downloaded, we continue to get pushback from our legislators, our school districts, and our libraries. Also, the video outlets, as Carla mentioned, offers a rating system such as PG, PG-13, R, triple X, determined by language and sexual content, while the printed media has nothing. And why is that? You read these things that we provided for you, and you think there's no sexual content there? You think there's no pornography there? A handout before you provides four examples. Right now, just what we used four years ago, we would have 50 times the number that those samples provided. Now it's up to almost 10 times. So just be aware of that. That's just not four examples. There's much more than that. There has been a manufactured burden placed on parents to determine whether their child should be allowed reading exposure. So as a child, when I was growing up, I was at the library every week checking out the max number of books I could, which was four. Do you think my mother tagged along to proofread what I was gonna be reading during that week? I had an older brother who was a prolific reader also. She couldn't read 10 books to figure out what is good content and what is bad content. The library across the street has bad content in a section called young adults, and that's what I'm gonna be talking about now. Our contention is for our library systems, whether the public library or school library is receiving a rating on a book that gives an age range for that specific book, totally unreasonable. Totally reasonable. We have found that publishers, Simon & Schuster, Putnam, et cetera, et cetera, along with the American Library Association has given an age rating for young adults at 11 to 17 years old. While all other government entities, whether it's socioeconomic, whether it's your census bureau, they provided 18 to 35. school libraries and publishers have bypassed the adolescent stage so there's a period in between what they have in their children's sections the cat in the hat returns or whatever and then their young adult well your young adult section at the public library has these books a budget that determines funding for our public library should be withheld And I thank you in advance until our children are protected from intentional grooming. And I thank you for your time.

All right, moving on to number five, consent agenda items. It includes the minutes, travel and education requests, personal action notices, cellular authorizations, and human services report. Do I have a motion to approve?

Motion to approve. Second.

Motion and a second. Any comments? Hearing none, call the roll, please.

VanderWaal?

Aye.

Post? Aye. Miller? Aye. Jensen? Aye. Hostler? Aye. Motion carries.

All right. Number six, routine business. Approval of the claims. Do I have a motion to approve?

Move to approve.

Second. Motion and a second. Comments? Hearing none, call the roll, please.

Post? Aye. Miller? Aye. Jensen? Aye. Vanderwall?

Aye.

Hostler?

Aye.

Motion carries.

All right. Letter B. Moving on to department head reports. Brian with Highway.

morning morning i'll start here mowing started on the west side we started mowing on may 26th we started with our chip seal routes some culvert routes that we've been working on i'll cover later in this report and then our retrace paint our road painters are here so we started working on some of our retrace routes, which primarily consist of the west side of the county. So they'll be working on that this week. I'll cover that later in the report. Our chip seal project 2026 is wrapped up as far as the chip seal goes. The fog seal still needs to be applied by county forces. We'll be working on that later this month and into July, then followed by the striping, and then that project will be wrapped up. Like I said the painting contractors sir lines a lot that we joined in with 15 other counties on the southeast side of the state are starting to do our retrace routes which are on the west side of the interstate this year and In my report here, I've got June 16th, which is today. Bid openings will be held for 09GU and 09GT. These structures are on Brookings County Road 25 or 478th between Bushnell and White, and that'll be held this afternoon at 2.30. And like I mentioned earlier, the county forces have been working on some culverts. Started up by Astoria and we're working on culverts on Brookings County Road 8 just north of Brookings here. Then we'll be moving up by Lake Ponson here once we receive our shipment of culverts in to To work on that and there'll be temporary closures on that road during the day, but it'll be opened at night and Then that will be followed up by our asphalt project later this summer Is there any questions

Thanks, Brian. I have one rumble strip update. Have you heard anything from those contractors?

I did. I emailed Matt Bray yesterday requesting some information on that, and he has yet to contact me back. But when that does happen, I will make sure the board is informed.

Anybody else have anything for Brian? No.

Thank you.

Thank you, Brian. Sheriff.

Good morning.

Morning, Sheriff.

I'll be quick.

We have a total of 56 inmates in custody at the present time. 26 of the 56 are Brookings County inmates. 30 of them are from Otta County. We have 24 US Marshal Service in jail at the present time. 24-7, it's hanging in there around that 80, it's 82. We have 34 that come in twice a day. For PBT, we have five on remote test, seven on scram, and 19 on UAs. So that continues to always stay busy with coming in with the 24-7. We're gearing up for 4th of July being a 250th. We expect the lakes to be pretty busy Hamlin County is Asked for some some help in brookings county at that end so i i do have some extra deputies work in that day so we're going to try to work the lake regions we get some complaints of speeders and so forth coming out of the state park on the uh... uh... south side of ponset so we'll we'll be working those areas that will have high traffic type areas so anyway other than that do you have any questions Guys have been busy, still getting deer accidents. Yeah, it seems like every week we got deer accidents, so keeping the body shops busy, I guess. So anyway, thank you.

Thanks, Sheriff. Thanks, Sheriff. Jen with Finance.

Good morning.

Good morning. Good morning.

So to start with the finance officer's report, we've got the be it noted items of otters count with treasure, payroll and additive totals, and register of deeds, statement of fees collected. There isn't a highway report in the May report. We'll have both May and June in June's report next month. So other than that, we'll move on to elections. We did start the re... runoff election on Friday we started absentee voting but since then there's we had to shut it down yesterday because an error was detected on the ballots it was an error by the printers our proofs were correct it didn't affect the candidates so the people who voted it's fine it didn't affect the candidates it's just a label that's supposed to say Brookings up in the corner and it doesn't say that up there so we shut down Voting for now. Jenna's been in contact with the printers, and they're gonna rush a new print job through. It's not gonna be any cost to us. We just have to be on hold for right now. 23 people have voted, so on election night, we'll recreate those. Resolution board recreate those 23 ballots on the correct ballot. So everything will be fine. It's just right now. We're on hold So that's where we're at with elections Commissioner Jensen had asked last time what the cost might be for the runoff so I did run some numbers on that and we were pretty sure we have most of the bills in for the primary and the primary was just under $40,000 for everything and an estimate to run the runoff election was pretty close to 24,000 a lot of the programming and things we don't need to do but I mean the biggest costs is your poll workers and we have to have poll workers everywhere so still a pretty decent cost for the county

That's all I've got any questions With the little issues with the balance is that just us or have you heard anybody else?

Okay? It's just us the printers when they pulled our file pulled Brown County instead of Brookings County and Luckily, it's just one ballot. The whole state is using the same ballots. Just got that label in the top corner. So I

Do you anticipate that this week or not until next week or hard to tell?

They're going to contact Jenna this morning, and I'm sure they'll rush it. And they shouldn't have anything else being printed right now, so I'd imagine they can rush it pretty quick. And we're even going to suggest maybe just give us enough to get through and then give us the whole shipment later as you can. So hopefully by the end of the week we're up again. Or Monday. All right.

Thanks for researching the costs in those elections.

Thank you. Thank you, John.

Bob with County Development.

Good morning. On June 9th, we had a solar farm Representative come to our office. They're looking at putting a large scale solo from over. Richland Elton Township area over over on the eastern side of Brookings County. during the process right now, talking to landowners, and they just wanted to touch base from the emergency management standpoint, and then we also, since they was in the office, we talked to them about the zoning aspects of it and everything, and I told them, like I tell any developer that walks in my office, we'll give them a fair hearing, and however it falls, it falls, so. Just wanted the county to know. We had our safety picnic, and I gave an emergency management discussion, mainly on lightning, on June 11th. June 12th, I went down to Sioux Falls. They had a, it was our regional Office of Emergency Management, Region 1, which we're the top county. It goes all the way down to Yankton County over on the eastern side. It was a tabletop exercise. Our part was a tabletop exercise inside the South Dakota Air National Guard facility, and the Air National Guard and the Sioux Falls Fire and Rescue and that group had a full-scale exercise outside, which we got to observe a little bit of, and it was a good day. Ray Lynn was gone that day, so Richard stayed back, and he participated via the Zoom link, so we got credit for him attending the exercise while keeping the office open. Saturday, I volunteered at the Wall while I was there. It was a quite moving experience. I lost a brother to Agent Orange. He's not on the Wall, but he died from direct exposure to Agent Orange, so the Wall can have different effects on different people, and it was a good experience. We did get a finally after I don't know how many freaking months Finally got a quote on the generators one for the bcoac and one for the emergency management Stand alone told told generator. I passed those along and we'll try and take a look at those working with the Commission Assistant we'll we'll get that back to you later on what we'll be discussing a burn ban being being Relaxed and Wednesday we had our 765 kilovolt subcommittee meeting. Right now we had a bunch of documents either passed out or read or discussed and we are going to put those on the county website. I've been working with the state's attorney and his deputy to get a disclaimer. We're going to be putting some stuff on the website that it's going to be both from the industry and from from citizens of brookings county and and areas and we're just going to put a disclaimer on it and anything that's under it it's it's not the official policy of brookings county or the the subcommittee but it's it's being as transparent as we can and letting the public see see what the subcommittee is reviewing if nothing else and last but not least it just totally slipped my mind what i was going to say so Oh, on the subcommittee, I've had some subcommittee members ask about why do we have someone from Xcel Energy on the subcommittee. I've been on several subcommittees throughout my time, actually starting in 1999 for Brookings County. Any time you have a subcommittee, you need to have people that are pro, people that are against, but then you also need to have that industry experience. And that's why we invited Xcel Energy, because they've got the knowledge of the 765 power grids and stuff that I don't have a clue, wouldn't even have a clue on how to get an advisor that knows 765 into the county to assist us with the subcommittee. so You know, I guess if that's a I just don't think this subcommittee couldn't could be fair without having a member of the industry on it and obviously you're the County Commission and I follow your guidance and if you if you tell me to remove a member will remove a member but I feel we need to have him on there just because of his knowledge, technical knowledge. And I don't think we're going to be swayed by one member because we've got several people such as from the townships and from the local area who served on the Sioux Valley Energy Board. Now there is a difference in Xcel Energy and Sioux Valley Energy, but they're electrical engineers, so I think it's a balanced subcommittee personally, but I may be biased. Any discussion on that or anything else I talked about?

When's your next meeting, Bob?

You would say that.

I believe it's July 9.

Yeah, I believe you. We do have it set. We did set the, and that's going to be an evening meeting starting at 7, I believe. Sorry, I'll put that in the next report.

We also talked about having it the second Thursday of every month to build some consistency going forward. On Bob's comments, I think it's important that this committee is a fact-finding committee and we're gathering information. If there's an entity that wants to be a part of Brookings County, I think it's important that we have somebody with that knowledge and that we can ask questions You know at every meeting not bring them in once in a while I think it's important that we have someone like that on that committee because this is a just an information gathering Then then they will in turn go to the to the zoning board of the recommendation and in turn a recommendation to us as commissioners So that's my thoughts the concern that was expressed to me was since it's excels project

why are we going to the person putting the project on for the industry expertise? And so I wonder if the board could find some other entity in addition to Excel to provide that industry expertise. So if the concern is the subcommittee wants industry expertise And we're relying on that industry expertise for the person that's building the project. I think that's where some of the individual's concerns were that were expressed to me after the meeting. And I've shared this with Bob, too. Because I think if we go back to that meeting and say, well, Excel's on the board because we're relying on the industry expertise, well, since they're the ones trying to get the project built, it's probably coming across that the board is relying solely on Excel for that industry expertise. So is there another energy company besides Excel that can provide that industry expertise? I think that's probably where we should go in that direction. And I'm not saying Excel shouldn't be on the board, I'm just saying in addition to. So, because I agree, it is a fact finding. subcommittee as many facts and opinions as we can gather as part of that industry expertise, I think would be beneficial for For all the the different interests so and probably would suffice some of those concerns that were expressed to both Commissioner Vander wall myself and Bob after the meeting so I Will see what I can find okay and get back to the County Commission.

All right, go ahead Yeah, I think that would probably be beneficial to look to see if we can find another subject matter expert to kind of just, we want to be as transparent as possible and we don't want anybody thinking that we're leaning one way or another.

And if the costs are an issue, I mean, that's just, I think because of the nature of the project and the strong feelings associated with both sides of the issue. I mean, I think the commission might have to reconcile some of those costs that might be incurred by bringing someone other than Excel on as an industry expert. Because I mean, if we're saying we don't want other opinions just because it might cost money, I think that's going to be tough to reconcile to some of the players involved in it. So that's what I would say to that. But I don't make those decisions. You guys do. But I think it would benefit the subcommittee to have that type of alternative opinion on it. And it might not be an alternative opinion, but it's someone other than Excel providing that industry expertise.

What I can do, I can go through NACO. Even though I'm off the board of directors, they do still have an energy component. I can go through there and see if I can find someone willing to zoom in. I doubt if we can get them here at our meetings. Most of those are on the East Coast, but I'll see what I can do. I've brought up his name before Ted Smith is one of the engineers with and vice president in Sioux Valley electric and you know I've been in contact with mr. Smith we can have him come yeah we was planning on having him come and you know if he had something to put into it I don't know if he's a 765 expert but I can ask I couldn't yeah there's a there's a I'M NOT ARGUING WITH ANYBODY. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN THE 765 TRANSMISSION LINE AND THE 345s. BUT I'LL REACH OUT TO HIM AGAIN AND SEE.

HE IS FAMILIAR WITH THE LOCAL AREA. BY ALL MEANS.

AND WE HAVE OTHER SIOUX VALLEY ENERGY PEOPLE ON THE COMMITTEE ALSO. VERY GOOD. ANYTHING ELSE?

GO AHEAD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THAT, DAN. Challenge of that my perspective is a little bit different. I think there's value in having Them there whether we bring another one on to challenge that perspective, but you know if we bring somebody else Are we going to get accurate information about that specific project? I think that's what they could bring to line and again. It's one person. It's not a voting thing you know I want the best and most accurate information i can get when we're on that committee and so i think there's value in having them there whether it's a board member i don't know you can make the argument they just show up and they can have an input whether they're on the board or not could be but yeah i think there's value in having him yeah i think someone from an established corporation whether that's something similar to excel but certainly credentialed i'm not talking about going on the internet and finding someone random who's against

765 projects I I don't think that would benefit the subcommittee Perhaps what commissioners post I don't know that gentleman, but someone like that similarly situated I think is Would hopefully suffice what I? believe are really strong opinions about Excel not being on the board and I know Commissioner Vandenwald knows what I'm talking about so Unless this is fixed I don't think these subcommittees are going to go as smooth as we want them in terms of the information flows. Would you agree with that, Vanderbilt? Okay. So perhaps, Bob, you could, I don't know, present a list of some of these industry experts, and then the commission can decide whether or not they're sufficiently credentialed to provide useful information. And if they're not, then that has to be communicated back to the board. But if there's additional players that should be at the board, then I think the commission can still appoint them to provide that information.

Well, I think it's important to have clarity that this is a non-voting board. I agree. So that this person is on the board and they're sharing, but they have no vote.

I agree. And I communicated that. It's important that that be clarified. Yes. And I think it should be clarified again at the next meeting, that very thing. Agreed. So.

We have to remember this ordinance is bigger than just one project, too. It'll be an ordinance that stands for future projects that may or may not ever come to Brookings County. All right.

Commissioner Jensen?

Yes, I did have a question. The solar panel farm, is there any concerns and setbacks on the solar panel farm?

Not really. We've got a solar panel ordinance in our thing, and most of the opposition there is going to be probably local people. There's a lot of concern out there countywide that we're taking land out of production. But, you know, that's a two-edged sword. Number one, yep, you're taking land out of production, but number two, the people that own the land, they should have a right to do whatever they want with their own land. So, you know, the zoning board, it's not gonna be an easy discussion, I don't think, when we hear the conditional use permit on it, because, you know, people talks about, well, I got the right to not have a, quote-unquote anything near me, well, what if the person owning the land wants it?

So you got... Bob, did I give you any idea of how many acres they're looking at in this solar farm, what they're proposing?

Sounds like it's a pretty good bunch because it's so long. It's going to be a long several... like quarter sections, but they're not going to be one humongous. We told them when they came in the office, we want to see the box. The way we typically permit, such as our wind towers, we make them give us four corners so we know where the thing is. And then if they need to move an individual panel, then they don't have to come back in and get permission to move individual panels. And we do not have that box yet. Once we get that box, I'll be more than happy to share it with anybody who wants to see it.

We do have a Schedule 9 that we're past, so we can pick this up after the Schedule 9 o'clock.

Okay, thank you. I'll be back.

We are a little bit past our Schedule 9 o'clock, but we do have Number 7, Scheduled Agenda Item 9 a.m. Public hearing in action to approve a retail on-off sale wine and cider license for Bella Casa Wedding and Event Venue. So do we have a motion to approve?

Move to approve.

Second. Motion is second. All right, we'll open the public hearing. Do we have any proponents? Any proponents for this? Any proponents? Do we have any opponents? Any opponents? Do we have any opponents? Hearing none will close the public hearing and go into comments Jenna.

Yes, the only comment I guess I would have is this is a new event venue near Aurora at a previous meeting. The Commission did approve a retail on off sale malt beverage and South Dakota wine license. She is now requesting an on-off sale wine and cider license, mostly because she wants to purchase wine that is outside of South Dakota. And in order to do that, she needs to get this type of license to do that. A notice of hearing was published in all of the newspapers. She has paid the $500, and our office would recommend approval.

Any other comments? Hearing none, call the roll, please.

Miller? Aye. Jensen?

Aye.

VanderWaal?

Aye.

Post? Aye. Hostler? Aye. Motion carries.

All right. That one's done. We'll move back to discussion with county development.

Sorry to cut everything short, but Dave? Bob, is this exclusive to Brookings County?

What's that?

This solar farm, is it exclusive to Brookings County?

As far as I know, yeah, it's within, and the reason they're interested in Brookings County, of course, as we discussed before, we got that Western Area Power Authority interconnect, just, you know, we got the big basin electric plant to the southwest of that, or south, yeah, southwest of that, there's a, what's known as a Western Area Power Authority station, substation. And that allows them to interconnect into the power grid, nationwide grid. They're just on the other side of white. And that's why you're going to get interest. That's why we got our wind towers, because of that interconnect. The federal government, they control the interconnection of all power in South Dakota. And that's where it gets interconnected into the power grid. Now, as far as the discussion about, well, it's only going to Minneapolis or that, once it hits the grid, a molecule will go wherever they send it to. I can personally tell you, as far as I know, the federal lines go from Watertown down into Sioux Falls, and then they come from the dams. Initially, some of them come from the power plant in Big Stone. So you can't really say where a wind tower's power is going or a solar panel's power is going. It's difficult. Okay.

Okay.

Bob one question I have is is this company talked about having a public type meeting so people can understand right they will but at this stage they're still in the process of getting the land easements once they get the land easements and once they get ready to file with the public utilities commission then yes they will have information meetings locally And, of course, they won't get a condition use permit from us without our meeting, condition use permit meeting. We discussed it with the company. We told them they need to be, you know, we explained that Elkton's the best place to have the community meetings because it's right there near Elkton, and White's the other place they're welcome to have their meetings in.

In the end, This agricultural land will have to be reasonable and commercial then?

No. It's in our comprehensive plan to allow things such as solar farms and wind farms and stuff like that.

How many acres of project of this are they talking about here?

guess i they i haven't seen the map of where they just came in and said they're they've got land over near near us-14 going towards going towards the big substation and that's basically all they told us like it sounded like 1500 but they did say it's not it's not contiguous it's going to be And it sounded like their lines were underground. So it's a different, to me, we won't know until we see the project in writing. Sounds like it might even be a little different than the wind farms Of course the wind farm each wind tower takes about nine acres out of production a solar farm would Whatever it's on and you're not gonna grow crops typically under it Although I have seen some gardens near near solar farms, but not not industrial grade or not at not large-scale farming.

I Mean I I foresee another subcommittee on this issue I I think that's where it's going based on what I'm hearing. So I think there's a lot of people that want to revisit the ordinance as it's currently written. So yeah.

Yeah, I guess my other question would be, I know the wind farms have a specific taxing structure. How does this end up affecting property taxes and those type of things too? question that I would have.

Anybody else? Thank you.

The update can't believe we're mid-june already, but We started off first part of May the two guys from highway shop come over Started getting equipment out of cold storage kicking tires checking batteries that sort of thing month of May pretty much consumed the month by doing Pocket gopher baiting we did about 700 Different baits out on pocket gopher mounds So that's a lot of trips up and down the road ditch looking for pocket gophers and stuff got the dot gophers done I think we spent 34 hours just doing dot gophers. We did get payment on that last week. That was twenty two hundred and ten dollars and that we built for just the spring run. Our estimate for DOT gophers was up to 50 hours. We'll do a fall run also. so there will be a little bit of additional money coming into the fall when we do that run we did get the uh... department ag grant last week that was seven thousand eight hundred dollars so that came in last week other than that the guy's been out spraying around bridges and stuff trying to keep the grass and weeds down around those anticipation i hate to say the word snow but for winter just keeping the grass and stuff down around the bridges Way when the highway comes out and mows they've got that little buffer there that they don't have to get close to the bridges and stuff on Hopefully we get that done this week, and then we will start on right away spraying we haven't done any right away's yet, but Just kind of waiting on weather to cooperate winds been the big issue with that so Learn that that's pretty much our month and a half here, so Anybody have anything

Thank you. Thank you. Thanks, Tim.

All right We do have action to approve the second quarter transfers per budget appropriations Under under finance report number two I would ask for a motion to approve Move to approve second motion a second comments I Hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed say nay. Motion carries. Do we have to do any of those underneath there?

Do we need to note those? Or do we need to call those?

That's what you just approved were those, were A and B. All right.

All right, moving to number eight, regular business. Discussion, possible action to approve resolution 26-22, a resolution to rescind the burn ban enacted on April 7, 2026. Discussion?

The Dave Jacobson, who's the chairperson of the Brookings County Fire Chiefs Association, contacted me last week, requested, he said he's done a survey of the Brookings County Fire Chiefs and that they recommend that you lift the burn ban. One caution I would put to anyone listening to this discussion right now is just because the burn ban is lifted, I would be extremely careful when choosing to burn. Tomorrow we're estimated to have 45 mile an hour winds if you light a field tomorrow chances are you take your neighbors field along with yours So we've got I've got no objection to lifting the burn ban just have to realize Parts of Brookings County is not as what as other parts of Brookings County.

So Just be careful out there and just because if we do vote to lift this that doesn't mean that they don't have to or it wouldn't be a good idea for them to contact their local fire department and notify them anyway and dispatch.

call the 9-1-1 number, 605-692-2113, and just let them know you're burning in the field at such and such area. That way, if it does get out of control, they can get the fire department out there. That way, the fire chief is aware of it. Because when you contact the 9-1-1 center, they send out over radio message to that local fire chief that, hey, there's a controlled burn going on. That way, if it gets out of control, they can get to it faster.

It also helps that if a resident sees a fire and calls it in, that dispatch will then hold that control burner.

Any other comments, questions for Bob? Hearing none, I would entertain a motion to rescind. So moved.

Second.

Motion and second. Any comments? Call the roll, please.

Jensen.

Aye.

Mannerwald.

Aye.

Post. Aye. Miller. Aye. Hostler. Aye. Motion carries. Thank you.

Letter B, action to approve resolution 26-23, a resolution changing the vote center location in the city of Volga, South Dakota, for the July 28, 2026 primary runoff election only. Do we have a motion to approve? Move to second. Motion to second. Comments?

The Samara Avenue project is going to be kicking off here again that phase three, that north end that encompasses the entrance to the community center where elections are typically held in Volga. Because of that, and that access being temporarily kind of blocked off because of construction. The First Reformed Church in Volga has agreed to relocate the vote center to that location, but just for the July runoff election. That project is scheduled to be done by Labor Day in time, hopefully well in time for the November general election to move back to the community center where it always has been.

And we'll make sure to make that public, get it on Facebook and as many places as we can so people know.

Yes, spoke with the city administrator Michael Schulte over there in Volga and he is willing to help spread the word. Put stuff on their Facebook page and their website and talk about it at their meetings and stuff. So yes, would appreciate helping get the word out as well.

Any other comments? From the board. Alright, hearing none, call the roll please. Banner all right post Miller Jensen Osler motion carries Letter C action to approve agreement 26-4 three an application of Occupancy right away of County highways made by Sioux Valley energy and Madeira Township to have motion to approve so motion second comments

cable replacement south of town here on County Road 77 Any other comments?

Hearing none all those in favor signify by saying aye aye opposed say nay motion carries I Letter D, action to approve abatement 26-18, an abatement application made by the City of Brookings for parcel number 40490-00100-003-00 in the amount of $142.84. Do I have a motion to approve? Move to approve. Do I have a second? Second. Motion to second. Comments?

All of these parcels are just parcels that the city bought partway through the year of 2025 and so we're just abating the portion that was exempt while the city owned it Any other comments Hearing none all those in favor signify by saying aye aye opposed say nay motion carries

Letter E, action to approve abatement 26-19, an abatement application made by the City of Brookings for parcel number 40490-00100-002-00 in the amount of $141.74. Motion to approve. Do I have a second? Second. Motion to second. Comments? Hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed say nay. Motion carries. Letter F, action to approve abatement 26-20, an abatement application made by the City of Brookings for parcel number 40490-00100-001-00 in the amount of $241.20. Do I have a motion to approve? Move to approve. Do I have a second?

Second.

Motion to second. Comments? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed say nay. Motion carries. Letter G. Action to approve abatement 26-21, an abatement application made by the City of Brookings for parcel number 40490-00100-000-00 in the amount of $91.17. Do I have a motion to approve? Motion to approve. Second. Motion to second. Comments? Hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Opposed say nay. Motion carries. Letter H, action to approve abatement number 26-22, an abatement application made by the City of Brookings for parcel number 40071-00100-001-00 in the amount of $1,062.69. Do I have a motion to approve? Move to approve. Do I have a second? Motion and a second. Comments? Hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed say nay.

Motion carries.

Letter I, discussion slash possible action to provide funding for the Balloons Over Brookings event on July 17th through the 19th, 2026. Discussion.

This is a new event coming to Brookings this summer, later in July. In your packet, there was included some information about it and then several levels of sponsorship opportunities. I'd been in contact with Dan Strutz about this, and right now they're just... looking for funding for an event that they hope to continue to bring to Brookings over the years for years to come but this is the inaugural time that they're doing this and it's hot air balloons and I think he's got quite a few of them actually lined up already to to be here for the event that weekend or those over those days so comments from the board

I think this could be a really neat opportunity. My knowledge on it is limited here but I did visit with this individual and I think this could be a very worthwhile event. I'd like to make a motion that we become a gold sponsor donating $1,000 to this event.

I have a motion for $1,000. Do we have a second?

I'll second the $1,000 proposal.

We have a motion and a second.

discussion comments I Think this is a would be a fun event to have in Brookings and a great opportunity for people to do it It serves a very small percentage of people that would be a part of this I don't know that using textile or money for that is the best use of Our funding I think it's a great event, I just don't think it's a good use of our money.

I know I've seen a lot of, they do these a lot in the hills and when I've been out there and stuff. I know it does, even though there's not a lot of people get a ride, there is a lot of public interest and people that come and watch and that. That is out there. I think it is kind of a neat experience and something kind of more diversified for our residents and our community members to be a part of.

What are they talking about for a draw as far as people coming in from outside of the Brookings County area?

I talked to this individual, I believe, at the Taste of Brookings event in early spring, and he was just in the planning stage, so I don't know if they had any numbers at that time. Kelly, have you?

Yeah, I visited him at that Taste of Brookings event as well, and Sounds like he's been doing a few of them, but I didn't understand it completely where. I think maybe this is something we should try for a year just to see where we're at. But this is one of those events that's kind of weather dependent too. So, you know, that's the luck of, I think, of the different events that are in Brookings, you know, the Summer Folks Arts Festival. This commission donates to the Elkton, you know, fireworks displays and And anything we can do to draw people to our community. I think could be a benefit to our our community But this this may reach more people than we realize in it and it may not I we just don't know but I think for a trial year, I think this is a something that This Commission should look at Any other comments I Guess yeah, that's kind of my

Concern is that we've there's a lot of events that go on and if we start sponsoring all of them then what? Why is this one unique that? They're asking or I I'm trying to grasp. I mean we've got Brookings has a tourism department that does this type of thing for drawing stuff in and they study how much traffic it you know and then Tax dollars that are received afterwards, which of course we don't collect sales tax, so there's not a direct return that way for the county. There's people that know these things and what the return is for having it. I'd be interested in knowing more that way.

Would it make any difference if I amended the motion to $500 for the first time and see what type of crowd it draws and And if it's beneficial?

Yeah, I'm good with amending that to $500 for the trial year.

So we have a motion to amend to $500. Do I have a second?

I'll second that.

Motion and a second to amend. Comments on that? Hearing none. Call the roll on the amendment.

Post?

Aye.

Miller? No. Jensen?

Aye.

VanderWaal?

Aye.

Hostler? Aye. Amendment carries.

And call the roll on the original to include the amendment.

With the amendment would be Miller?

No.

Jensen?

Aye.

VanderWaal?

Aye.

Post?

No.

Hostler?

Aye.

Motion carries with the amendment.

Moving on to letter J, action to approve a request to fill vacancy for finance assistant in the finance office. Do I have a motion to approve?

Motion to approve.

Second. Motion to second. Comments? Hearing none. All those in favor, signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Opposed, say nay. Motion carries. Letter K, action to approve request to fill vacancy for IT administrator in the commission department. Do I have a motion to approve? So moved.

Second.

Motion and a second. Comments? Hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, say nay. Motion carries. Number nine, commission director, department director report.

The Veterans Service Officer Report was included with my staff report. They did provide 10 rides in May. All of those were DAV, which is great. We have some new drivers established, which this is great to see. They did have three outreach events, including Veterans Coffee and Conversation hosted by Peaceful Pines, And then as far as the claims go, things are slowing down a bit. Appeals are taking longer now. No real explanation as to why, but it sort of ebbs and flows. As far as the rest of my report, there is like a being noted that we're going to have chair chairperson Hostler sign a letter of support for the Regional Growth Alliance supporting their submission to the travel SD destination development program. That letter was included with your packet.

Um?

Next Monday, a week from yesterday, we will be having our Senate Bill 96. public meeting that notice that went out to newspapers, out to our website, out to social media. I've sent this out to our legislators as well, inviting them to attend. That meeting is next Monday from six until nine or earlier if we are done before then regarding that. So keep that, make sure that you have that on your calendars. The general fund surplus for May was at 45%. We are pretty much right on track for our 10-year average, so we kind of just keep looking at that throughout the year. I did include the work plan with my staff report. All of those highlights in red are all of the changes that were made to the work plan with the help of Brian and Highway and Bob in the county development as well. So if you have any questions on that. please reach out or please ask but um yeah that's just updated a lot of a lot of things with our with our projects our road projects things with our um the dike project in Maderi Township um we put on the the 765 subcommittee now is added to that some some things with Samara Avenue with finishing up some punch list items in phases 1 and 2 now, and then starting with construction on phase 3 right after the 4th of July holiday weekend. Some courthouse things. We did get the interior of the courthouse painted this spring, and we have been working weekends. It'll be six weekends in a row, but they're getting the carpet installed, the new carpet installed over at the courthouse. They and it went side to side, top floor, third floor on the north, third floor on the south, and second floor. So by the end of the month, it should be done. So it's been a good project. If you haven't been over there to take a look at it, I think second and third floors are finished now, and they look really good. Courtroom A, especially the big courtroom, it made a nice improvement to that space. It looks very nice. Other than that, I don't know if there's any questions for me on that work plan, if you've had a chance to take a look at it. The other thing that I did look into was our liquor ordinance. I know with the special events licenses specifically, there has been some talk about making some changes there. I didn't I didn't change anything with the fee, but the commission decides the number of times a business can be issued a permit throughout the year. So changing that, eliminating four, five will be a new four, but no limit to the number of times that a person or a business could ask for one of those. And then The public hearing piece, if there is a business that currently holds a license, a public hearing isn't required. So we don't have to publish it. They don't need to come in and appear before you. However, the commission still needs to approve all of those licenses at a meeting. So there would still be some time. Like somebody couldn't come in today and get a special events license for... This weekend it has to you know, they have to plan a little bit ahead To make sure that they have time to still get it on a commission agenda That way the sheriff's office is also notified that these are happening it's just not requiring publication and not requiring that business to come before you in the form of a public hearing and So if you are interested in those changes, we can bring that forward as a first reading, second reading approval to make those changes to the ordinance. I think I might have, did I play that out? Yeah. So it would still not become effective if we do the first reading at the next meeting or that first meeting in July. We still wouldn't, this still wouldn't take effect until August 20th. So we're kind of, towards the end of our summer special events licensing kind of run, but if there is interest in that, I can bring those changes forward with that ordinance.

That looks like a good improvement for what we've got. It shortens the timeline because we don't have to publish first and all those type of things. Correct. That improves that, but we still have proper input from law enforcement. Okay.

All right, I will bring those amendments forward to start the first reading at the next meeting. Also, we did receive the window, the museum's newsletter, so that was included with my report, and then we did receive another FAA notice for a wind turbine over near Murray, Minnesota, but we're close enough that we get noticed for those things, so that was also included with my report. Other than that, Just some of those upcoming dates, like I had mentioned, next Monday is the Senate Bill 96 meeting, six o'clock here in the chambers. Then the next day we turn around and we meet for budget hearings right away at 8 a.m. and plan for all day, and that will be next door in the community room. The Brookings Firefighters Dance is June 27th. Offices will be closed for the 4th of July holiday on Friday, July 3rd. keep in mind we do have that special meeting on July 30th to canvas the results of that runoff election that will be on the 28th of July and then looking out a little further still that conservation district tour make sure that's on your calendars and that's all I have unless you have questions for me anything for Stacy all right thank you moving on number 10 state's journey report

Moving on to number 11, Commissioner's Reports and Discussion. Commissioner VanderWaal.

All right, thank you. Get the page turned here. On Thursday, June 4th, we had a zoning meeting here in this very room. Then on Monday, June 8th, the Mid-Area Diversion meeting, which all of you are here in attendance as well. On Wednesday, June 10th, at 9 a.m., I attended the 765 KVA meeting. And then on Thursday, June 11th, I went to the Fishback Soccer Complex for the wall to remember. Ceremony Commissioner Hostler did an excellent job at that. I want to commend him for that. And then at noon that day on June 11th, I attended the safety meeting noon meal on that rainy Thursday. That's my report and I do want to add that my family and I are planning on being on vacation In the hills over the forest, so I will not be back for that July 7 Tuesday meeting and that's my report, but I will call in So, thank you Commissioner post Yes On the 8th.

I was also here for the Dairy Drainage Board. That was a very good meeting I thought it was insightful getting to hear from everybody with their concerns and And then just this past Saturday. I was at the Bulga fireman's fundraiser dance and was able to see a few people there Commissioner Miller all right the eighth the drainage board again.

I agree with post that was Well attended and a lot of good discussion during that meeting on the 10th. I attended the 765 Startup meeting I think there's some great potential there and good information That's my report.

Commissioner Johnson.

On the 8th, I also attended the Madari drainage. Like the previous commissioners, a lot of good discussion. Everybody was respectful and everybody had good points. I'm looking forward to what Banners is going to bring back some better reports on some of the issues that the citizens brought up. On the 9th, I toured the new water treatment facility on the east side of Brookings. It's really interesting, the amount of water and the updates from the previous treatment facility to the new one. I believe it was very well attended. It was an all-day event, and I appreciate the chance. Yesterday, I did stop in the finance office, and I'd like to thank Jen. We sat down and talked about the property tax discussion coming up, and it'll be interesting to see what everybody thinks about the property tax. That's all.

And for me June 8th attended the drainage board meeting also, and I want to You know just like every commissioner up here It was very well attended. I'm glad we can have these public meetings. And at a time also that people can attend, a lot of great information came out of there, a lot of opinions. Everybody is very respectful, like we said. And I am interested to see what banner comes back with the notes that they were taking and either making a decision moving forward or not with the information they come back. On the 9th, I had a Brookings Regional Growth Alliance committee meeting at the Growth Alliance building there on 6th Street. On the 11th, the Wall of the Heels, of course, was in town last week. What an awesome event, awesome thing to bring to Brookings on the 11th. They had a dedication, welcome and dedication ceremony that I was very fortunate enough to be able to speak at. I think that that wall has helped a lot of veterans and their families with being able to heal from the Vietnam era and that. And I continue to support anything we can do to help with our veterans and our servicemen and women. That afternoon at 11 o'clock, I was the one that went to the 11 o'clock safety picnic. Looks like that we had some of our employees clean house on the drawing, so that was nice. And that is my report. So we'll move to number 12 on the agenda, Equalization Department 27 Budget Discussions.

So Jacob is coming before you today because he's not going to be able to be with us next Tuesday. So in your packet was his budget information that was included in your budget books that you have received. But I included it with the agenda so that you had it to take a look at.

Morning, Commission.

Morning.

As you can see on the screen here, this is my budget request for the 2027 year. Bottom line is I got minimal requests and just a few budget lines related to just the appreciation of things and the cost of living basically. Other insurance, line 4210, our three year trend puts us just under the 3,900 in actual expense. Current budget at 3,800 would put us in just a slight deficit, so I've requested an increase of $100 in that line to 3,900 with anticipated cost inflation. Professional services and fees line 4220. That is a majority of that is our profile support and maintenance costs that increases as the parcel count continues to rise. Right now we're sitting at about 18,250 parcels in that system. As we're working downstairs, you know today and forward we're continuing to add parcels to that count So the anticipated cost of that will continue to go up We also pay for Marshall and Swiss Swift cost table and depreciation tables, which are dependent on parcel counts as well they're also required by South Dakota codified law for property valuation and In that line, we also have membership dues for SDAO and IWO. They remain the same as 2026. Miscellaneous services in that line is updated plat books and a Brookings Register subscription renewal. We also have a monthly lease on a copier in that line. We don't own our copy machine. We have a monthly lease, which has increased annually by 5% on a monthly rate as the agreement that we initially signed up for states. This year's budget of 24,000 is no longer sufficient as we ended 2025 with the deficit so for this reason I'm requesting an increase of $1,000 to 25,000 in that line and Line 4230 for publishing. Our office is required to publish one document every year, and that's the full tax exempt list. We do that mid-March on an annual basis. The size of that list determines the price, and the list remains relatively the same size every year with properties coming off and going on to a tax exemption. However, I request a slight change from prior year's budget of $3,200 to $3,300 just to account for price increases in publishing. that we've seen in the past and anticipated moving forward. Line 4250 for repairs and maintenance. Our current budget is $2,400. We've squeaked by with that $2,400 for the past three years on a trend. We have five vehicles in our fleet. Most of those vehicles are, all of those vehicles are 2016 and newer. So don't anticipate a lot of big dollar repairs for those vehicles. However, we still have our routine maintenance, tires, batteries, oil changes, the like. I would request an increase of $100 to that line to account for estimated inflation in the price of those goods. Supplies and materials, that's everything we need materialistic to run our office in line 4260. Our current budget is 8,000 and we have come in just under that budget in the past three years as a trend. It's an as needed expense, so it's a little bit difficult to anticipate, but I think the consistency over the past three years makes me feel like the 8,000 is sufficient, so I don't request an increase in that line. fuel 4265 for 2027 we have a county-wide small town residential reappraisal project scheduled we're currently working on lake properties right now in all apartments county-wide with the upcoming project i anticipate roughly the same collective miles traveled as the current year and in that budget as well we have you know travel for various educational offerings majority of those are in the state of south dakota typically we're traveling to sioux falls pier rapid city Those types of places. Our current budget, I request an increase from 4,200 to 4,500. The only variable that I don't know, and I don't know that you guys have the power to know that as well, but what fuel prices will be in 2027. Travel and Conference, line 4270. South Dakota Codified Law and Department of Revenue require that all certified appraisers on our staff, in which we have five, have to attend three SDAO schools, three conferences, and 12 hours of continuing education in a five-year recertification period. Each appraiser happens to be in a different recertification period, meaning we're not all recertifying our five-year window in the same given year. So it's a little bit tricky to try to budget for the travel and education requests, not knowing exactly which appraisers are attending which offerings in a given year. But I like to budget for all of our staff to attend required trainings every year. Last year's budget was 15,000 and I think that's sufficient or has been on a three year trend, so I would request no change to this budget line, but request the 15,000 again. The cell phone reimbursement line 4280 current budget is figured at one department head at 105 monthly 5 appraisers at 30 monthly last year's budget amount at 3100 is exactly what I would request again in 2027. That's kind of a summary of my budget request. I don't know if you want me to go line by line on the sheet here. You can kind of see. At least on my copy, what what's all involved in each line and what we're paying for, what our expenses have been on a three year trend and what my request is. I think overall requesting about $2000 more than 2026 is budget collectively.

Any questions for Jacob?

I just wanted to let you know, too, I'm not taking off next Tuesday to go fishing or anything fun like that. I actually have to attend my last IAAO course offering for Assessor's School, so I'll be in a conference room for a week.

Where at?

In Pierre.

Oh, so you're gonna have your fishing. There is water there, yeah.

Thank you.

Thanks, Jacob. Thank you, Jacob. Thank you. All right. Number 13, we do not have an executive session scheduled. So, number 14, adjournment. I would look for a motion to approve. So moved.

Second.

Motion to second. Any comments? All in favor, signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Opposing, aye. We are adjourned. Thank you.