By 
Long lines of people waiting to vote were largely absent at Codington County polling places during Tuesday’s general election.
At Thursday’s Codington County Board of Commissioners meeting, Auditor Brenda Hanten said early voters (7,242) outnumbered those (6,525) who waited until Election Day.
Voter turnout was impressive with 73.01% (13,767) of eligible voters casting ballots. It’s not yet known if the percentage is a record for the county.
The election results were canvassed during the meeting and no discrepancies were found. With no recounts needed, state law requires an audit in one precinct for two ballot races chosen by random drawing. The result of that drawing is that Ward B2 results for Amendment G and Referred Law 21 will be audited Friday, Nov. 15.
Commissioners covered several agenda items that required little or no discussion.
They accepted a low bid of $63,144.16 from Eastside Equipment of Watertown for a new Kubota Skid Steer Loader with pallet and snowblower attachments. Acting Highway Superintendent Lynn Solberg said the loader will allow clearing snow from narrow bridges as well as moving heavy equipment at the highway shop.
Other bidders were Kibble Equipment of Watertown ($65,011.88) and Butler Caterpillar of Watertown ($70,500). The purchase was within the Highway Department’s budget.
Also approved was a $43,750 purchase for a new Marathon 500-gallon hot tack sprayer from MidStates Equipment & Supply of Mountain Lake, Minn. The sprayer will replace a 1951 model used by the Highway Department.
The county will pay $18,418.40 to Deutsch Excavating of Watertown for repairs on wing walls of a bridge on County Road 1 north of Kranzburg. Excavation of dirt and installation of riprap and quarter-inch steel plates will be done to strengthen the bridge’s foundation.
In other actions, the commissioners:
- Approved liquor and/or malt beverage licenses for the following businesses: Country Road Barn, Dakota Sioux Casino, Joy Ranch of South Dakota, Rooster Sports Bar and Southfork Lounge. The Codington County Sheriff’s Office reported that none of the businesses were found to have sold alcohol to underage buyers.
- Approved removing a burn ban within the county.
- Approved a homestead exemption for the Whitney Plat located in Waverly Township.
- Approved Facilities Manager Steve Mohlengraaf to apply for a weed control grant jointly with Clark County. If approved, the grant will help control weeds on new conservation reserve program (CRP) land in both counties. The Coteau Soil Conversation District will receive the funding if it is awarded.
- Noted that all county offices will be closed Monday, Nov. 11, for the observance of Veterans Day.
Department head reports were given by Todd Rose of the Veterans Service and Jodi Loehrer of Extension/4-H.
Rose said county veterans have received over $1 million in retroactive payments from the Veterans Administration. The payment is for benefits that have been accruing since a claim was first filed with the VA. Currently, Rose said, if takes the VA about 180 days to complete a claim.
The county currently has 175 claims open, 83 are pending action and 222 have been completed year to date. Hamlin County claim numbers are 14 open, 8 pending and 17 completed since Codington’s VSO began handling the claims.
Rose said Codington County veterans received $125,688 in payments in October, an increase of $17,648. Retro claims in October exceeded $217,000.
Rose reported the Veterans Transport Service is providing rides Monday through Friday to veterans needing to visit the VA clinic in Watertown. Rides must be reserved 24 hours in advance, and both ambulatory and non-ambulatory individuals can be taken. To reserve a ride, call 605-977-4400.
VTS is not the same as service offered through the Codington VSO, which carries veterans to appointments at the VA clinic and hospital in Sioux Falls.
Next Monday’s Veterans Day event starts at 11:30 a.m. at the County Extension building. Mike Nye is the speaker, and the county Veteran of the Year will be announced.
Loehrer reported that 4 girls and 1 boy attended a nationals shooting sports competition. Categories included BB gun, air rifle, air pistol and archery. She also said the new 4-H year has started and individuals can still sign up.
After adjournment, the commissioners entered into executive session for contract negotiations with employees or employee representatives.
