By Taylor Risse
At the regular meeting of the Bennett County Commissioners on Wednesday, October 15, the board did a second reading of Ordinance 2025-1 to increase the wheel tax rate. With no opposition, the ordinance was passed and the increase will go into effect on January 1, 2026. Charges will now be $4 per tire up to 12 tires.
Following a highway department personnel executive session, the board made the decision to get rid of the volunteer blade operating system. There will now be a two position limit for seasonal blade operating. Anyone interested will now be seasonal employees that need to fill out a job application and go through a job interview. The employee will be paid minimum wage and be under the supervision of the highway superintendent. There is now only two positions available at a time, when someone gets their project finished they can resign and the position can be filled by someone else.
Minutes from the October 1 meeting were approved as presented.
Claims were approved except for $4,240 to 4 Flat Construction that was listed as weigh and scale fees. Before approval, State’s Attorney Sarah Harris told the board that she was looking into 4 Flat Construction’s invoices and they were charging the county a weigh and scale fee and that was not part of the bid. State’s Attorney Harris added that the weigh and scale fee is being charged in addition to the bid price. Weighing the gravel was included in the bid, so should have been included in the bid price and the county should not be charged extra for it.
Commissioner Jay Yohner abstained from the vote approving claims.
The Wellmark Insurance renewal policy was approved with corrections being made to the spelling of Lucero, getting rid of a terminated employee from the policy, and changing the contact information to Mary Goss as the auditor.
Al Schaffer with Legislative Audit came before the board to inform them that he has begun the audit for the 2023-2024 year and should be done by the end of the month.
Highway Superintendent Mike Harris gave the road update that they’re still mowing ditches, blading roads when they can, and he hired Tom Moffitt at $20 an hour effective October 8, as a part-time mechanic.
The board approved the hire of Moffitt.
State’s Attorney Harris reminded the board that they are running low on screened gravel and need to think about putting out a bid for how much they will need next year.
Commissioner Yohner brought up having a discussion with Veldon Thayer about possibly getting back into his gravel pit.
Superintendent Harris stated that the Slattery road (225th avenue) is ready for gravel.
State’s Attorney Harris answered from last meeting that in South Dakota the county is responsible for mowing the ditches and right-of-ways. Last meeting Yohner questioned whether South Dakota had any laws like Nebraska that required the landowner to do the mowing.
A speaker and sound system for the courtroom was discussed. Commissioner Bob Fogg presented a quote and examples of an 8-person system that did not include an external speaker for $3,894.85. Commissioner Susan Williams stated she wanted to wait with moving forward on the project until they had a full board as Commissioner Blu Donovan was absent. Commissioner Dave Bakley gave the opinion that a speaker system isn’t necessary.
The item was tabled until the next meeting.
During old and new business Commissioner Bakley asked that the board again ask for quotes for a back door at the Community Action building.
Executive session was entered with Stella Poor Bear for personnel and there was no action taken.
An executive session for legal consultation was held. Upon exiting the session, the motion was made and approved to hold a joint meeting with the Martin City Council on Wednesday, October 22, at 5:30 p.m., at the Martin Library Community Room.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned.
The next regular meeting will be Wednesday, November 5, at 9:30 a.m. in the courtroom.