Commissioners put pieces in place to hire replacement highway superintendent

Codington County Commissioners moved quickly to line up the pieces so they can quickly find a replacement for retiring Highway Superintendent Rick Hartley.


Codington County Commissioners moved quickly Tuesday morning to find a replacement for Highway Superintendent Rick Hartley who will retire at the end of the month.

The commissioners first approved the highway superintendent’s job description and then approved the advertising for and approving of Hartley’s successor. No search deadline was set, although commissioners discussed the possibility.

Hartley, 63, has served 34 years as a county employee. He succeeded longtime superintendent Rick Small in the spring of 2018 when Small retired. Hartley is also the president-elect of the South Dakota Association of County Highway Superintendents.

Commissioners needed only 35 minutes to complete a short agenda, which included the burn ban that was put into place last week.

The commissioners renewed a 3-year contract with Midcontinent Communications for expanded internet access at the county’s Extension Complex. Facilities Manager Steve Mohlengraaf said high attendance events such as the Watertown Farm Show have sometimes led to slowed internet response times, which can disrupt livestock sales.

Midcontinent is increasing the facility’s bandwidth to 515 megabits per second, raising the county’s monthly cost $30 to $165.

The commissioners approved a L.E. Mack Addition plat resolution located about a mile northeast of Waverly. The change involved a farmstead exemption.

Department head reports were provided by community health nurse Codi Martin, 4-H Director Jodi Loehrer, auditor Brenda Hanten and Community Services Director Sara Foust.

Hanten said 1,061 individuals have voted early compared to 602 in the 2022 election.

Foust said activity in her office continues to increase. September’s number of unique individuals (58), services recorded (103) and total client contacts (115) were all the highest totals ever recorded by the Community Services office.

Case management involved 300 staff hours in September and care coordination another 154. Year to date, the largest expenditure is $12,128.27 for indigent funerals. Transportation of clients was next at $2,070.08 and mental health holds at $1,660.

Commissioners reminded county citizens that the courthouse and all county offices will be closed Monday, Oct. 14 because of Native American Day.

The group Yes for Codington County will host an information meeting Monday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. at Lake Area Technical College regarding the $29 million bond issue for a new detention center that is up for approval during the Nov. 5 general election.