By Watertown Current - May 7, 2026 in MINUTES OF MUNICIPAL UTILITIES BOARD MEETING
Monday, April 27, 2026
The Municipal Utilities Board convened in regular session at the Watertown Municipal Utilities Board Room 901 Fourth Avenue SW Watertown SD on Monday, April 27, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. with President Dan Brenden presiding.
Board members present: Dan Brenden, Rich Thomas, Chris Carter, and Mike Luken. Board Member Charlie Larkin absent. Board Liaison, member of City Council, Kyle Peters. Staff members present: Steve Lehner, Adam Karst, Bert Magstadt, Brian Benson, Aaron Erickson, Mark Meier, Rod Sutton, Dan LeVasseur, Zeke Hilmoe, Cheryl Mack, Gina Brown, Lisa Pahl and Attorney Vince Foley. Guests: Alan Stager City Manager, and Media: Steve Jurrens, Northeastern Radio.
ITEM 8339
Motion by Thomas with second by Carter to approve the agenda.
ITEM 8340
Motion by Luken with second by Carter to approve minutes of Regular Board Meeting on March 30, 2026. Motion carried.
ITEM 8341
Public Comment – None
ITEM 8342
Motion by Luken second by Thomas to authorize General Manager to sign agreement to conduct interpolation in support of water service line inventory with South Dakota DANR. This would let utilities take a percentage of their remaining unknown service lines and do potholing to determine the type of service line the customer has. Motion carried.
ITEM 8343
Director of Operations Magstadt gave an overview of the 2025 Annual Water System Quality Report. He noted that there were no substances detected in the water that violated regulations set by the EPA or the SD DANR. This report will be posted on the Watertown Municipal Utilities website and pamphlets available to the public at the office.
ITEM 8344
Motion by Carter with second by Luken for the authorization to declare as surplus the following items. Motion carried.
a) 1998 John Deere GT262 mower with 48” deck SN# M06262X073184
b) (Qty 4) 1000-gallon water tanks
c) A.R.E. pickup topper
ITEM 8345
Open: Lehner presented two bill stuffers to the Board, a) Bright Energy Solutions Rebate b) Library Summer Programs
ITEM 8346
Old Business: May Board Meeting is set for Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
ITEM 8347
Magstadt presented the Report on Operations and Projects. Electric, Projects Completed this Month: Had 8 outages for March for a total of 16 unscheduled power outages in 2026, repaired issues from the MRES annual infrared inspection on transmission line, received Certificate of Excellence in Reliability for 2025 from APPA. Projects in Progress: Uptown substation 115 kV insulator replacement, Andy Niemann and Nathan Sime helped with the “Light up Navajo Nation” sponsored by APPA, they spent a week helping hook up homes that have never had power, Dakota Directional installing primary wire for 2026 underground projects by Elks Lodge. Gas Department, Projects in Progress: Removing the valves and reliefs/stacks from the propane tanks. Projects Starting this Month: Contractor is starting to install 2” plastic in Boulder Ridge. Water Department Projects Completed this Month: 0 water main breaks for a total of 7 for the season, Projects in Progress: Cast iron main project, 5th Ave water main project. Engineering Tech, Projects Starting Next Month: 504 one-call locates April 1 – 20, 2026 and 153 one-call locates March, 2026, Mark Meier is retiring May 29 after 28 years.
ITEM 8348
Karst presented the report on Administration and Financial Statements, Purchasing, Accounting and Facilities, Projects in Progress: Dakota Riggers completed annual sling and chain inspections; orders have been issued to replace all failed components. Projects in Progress: Purple Wave Auction is currently live and scheduled to close on April 28. Upcoming Projects: Spring Clean-up on all WMU properties, spraying herbicide on WMU properties, asphalt and concrete repairs to streets and private properties. Customer Service, Projects Completed this Month: April bills processed in Tyer and mailed April 13-14, customers received April bills April 17 – 21, had a print issue with April bills that effected around 3,260 customers this has been resolved for May, validated May billing workflow in Tyler, including reads and meter change processing, May bill delivery expectation May 1-5 and May bill due date, May 11, June budget billing will go out. Human Resources/Risk Management: Preparing for summer temps to begin arriving in early May, retiring of Mark Meier, working with Jessie Lloyd our new safety consultant, he will be onsite May 4, discussions have been held to ensure a smooth transition, received final 2025 worker’s compensation premium adjustment, resulting in a 2% refund due to favorable actual versus budgeted payroll, the state rules regarding the medical exemption change, all CDL drivers must update their license by July 1 to show the federal medical exemption or risk losing their CDL license, we have 27 employees that have CDLs. Information systems: Installing and testing cameras and video recorder, deploying new iPads to replace aging surface tablets, normal monthly IT maintenance and troubleshooting along with website stats and top 10 webpages visited.
Statements of Revenue and Expenses and Capital Additions were presented to the Board for review. Year to date net income is $34,161 above budget for the three months ending March 31, 2026. Total Capital Additions are $199,099 under budget for the three months month ending March 31,2026.
ITEM 8349
Motion made by Carter with second by Thomas to approve the following verified salary claims and bills. Motion carried unanimously upon roll call vote. Total Watertown Municipal Utilities Net Payroll for April 2026 Plus ACH Payroll Payments $742,943.84.
Name Payable Description Payment Amount
MAY 1, 2026
#1 WELDING PORTABLE WELDING & FABRICATION SERVICE $975.00
ABC EMBROIDERY SAFETY CLOTHING $14.85
ADV. ENGINEERING AND ENVIRO. SERV., LLC CAST IRON WATERMAIN REPLACEMENT $3,277.50
AFLAC ACCIDENT $1,900.92
AMARIL UNIFORM COMPANY SAFETY CLOTHING $496.06
A-OX WELDING SUPPLY INC SUPPLIES $115.72
APGA TRAINING EXPENSE $1,050.00
AQUA-PURE INC SODIUM TRIPOLYPHOSPHATE $3,762.50
AUTO VALUE WATERTOWN SUPPLIES $706.33
AUTOMATIC BUILDING CONTROLS SERVICE $641.00
BACHMANN ENTERPRISE INC. ROLL UP DOOR, PATCHING – PEAK SHAVING PLANT $4,947.00
BASCOM-TURNER INSTRUMENTS INC. SERVICE $182.55
BELL LUMBER & POLE CO POLES $31,871.00
BENDIX IMAGING INC SUPPLIES $510.96
BENSON, BRIAN REIMBURSEMENT EXPENSE $201.78
BORDER STATES ELECTRIC SUPPLY WIRE AS PER BID $179,987.70
BORNS GROUP POSTAGE & MAILING $21,122.80
BUTLER MACHINERY CO GENERATOR RENTAL $4,923.15
CASEY’S ENERGY INCENTIVE REBATE $3,450.00
CASHWAY LUMBER INC SUPPLIES $216.50
CHASE CARDMEMBER SERVICE CREDIT CARD $11,214.15
CHRISTENSEN MANUFACTURING CORP TRUCK RACK UNIT #13 $5,084.00
CODINGTON-CLARK ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE INC WELLFIELD ELECTRIC SERVICE $6,730.52
COLOURS, INC. SUPPLIES $56.48
COMMERCIAL CLEANING SERVICES INC. JANITORIAL SERVICE $3,975.00
CORE & MAIN LP TAPPING VALVES, TAPPING SLEEVES $14,762.86
CREDIT COLLECTIONS BUREAU COLLECTIONS $256.28
DAKOTA DATA SHRED SHREDDING SERVICE $122.80
DELTA DENTAL OF SD DENTAL INSURANCE $1,568.80
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WATER SAMPLES $648.00
DISCOUNT SEEDS, INC. SUPPLIES $1,500.00
DSG DAKOTA SUPPLY GROUP SUPPLIES $329.75
DTN, LLC SUBSCRIPTION $584.61
DUTTON-LAINSON COMPANY GAS METERS $3,286.00
EAGLE EYE POWER SOLUTIONS LLC SERVICE $837.05
EIDE BAILLY LLP 2025 AUDIT PROGRESS BILLING $13,151.25
ELECTRIC MOTORS & MOORE INC SUPPLIES $294.00
ENERGY LABORATORIES INC WATER TESTING $1,682.00
ENGELSTAD ELECTRIC COMPANY SERVICE – WTP $496.76
EQUITABLE VISION INSURANCE $221.80
ETHANOL PRODUCTS LLC SUPPLIES $1,570.50
FASTENAL COMPANY SUPPLIES $395.08
FASTENER SOLUTIONS INC SUPPLIES $1,340.38
FEDERAL EXPRESS CORP SERVICE $391.34
FLEETPRIDE, INC. SUPPLIES $299.78
FLOW CONTROL AUTOMATION INC. CHEMICAL PUMP EQUIP, WATER ANALYZERS – WTP $16,306.00
FOLEY AND FOLEY LAW OFFICE, PC MARCH LEGAL FEES $2,989.10
HARRIS COMPUTER SYSTEMS BILLING SOFTWARE $3,780.00
HEATH CONSULTANTS INC SERVICE $567.91
HILMOE, ZEKE REIMBURSEMENT EXPENSE $73.23
IBEW LOCAL 426 UNION DUES $4,888.00
INTERSTATE ALL BATTERY CENTER SUPPLIES $145.20
J & B SCREENPRINTING SERVICE $165.00
J H LARSON COMPANY METER SOCKETS, SUPPLIES $12,047.53
JUSTIN’S LAWN & TREE SERVICE SERVICE $1,400.00
KARST, ADAM REIMBURSEMENT EXPENSE $595.00
KOONS GAS MEASUREMENT GAS METERS AS PER BID $93,335.73
LAMB CHEVROLET FORD F550 UNIT 26 $70,151.00
LEHNER, STEVE REIMBURSEMENT EXPENSE $173.70
LIGHT & SIREN SUPPLIES $1,812.00
LL & SONS EXCAVATING INC SERVICE – WELLFIELD PROJECT $25,045.00
LOVELIS, WAYNE REIMBURSEMENT EXPENSE $80.00
MACKSTEEL WAREHOUSE INC SUPPLIES $163.32
MAC’S HARDWARE SUPPLIES $744.83
MADISON NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE CO. INC. LIFE INSURANCE – STAFF $52.00
MAGSTADT, BERT REIMBURSEMENT EXPENSE $1,172.38
MCKEEVER INC SUPPLIES $279.00
MENARDS INC SUPPLIES $432.09
MET LIFE LIFE INSURANCE $1,435.79
MIDCONTINENT COMMUNICATIONS INTERNET, CABLE & PHONE SERVICE $1,900.89
MILBANK WINWATER WORKS SUPPLIES $277.58
MILSOFT UTILITY SOLUTIONS INC. ELECTRIC LOAD TRAINING $7,750.00
MINNESOTA MUNICIPAL UTILITIES ASSN SAFETY PROGRAM $9,987.50
MISSOURI RIVER ENERGY SERVICES TRAINING EXPENSE $1,743.88
MUELLER CO SUPPLIES $572.15
MUNICIPAL UTILITIES – PC REIMBURSE PETTY CASH $1,090.72
MUNICIPAL UTILITIES-NSF CHECK ACCO REIMBURSE NSF FUND $358.14
MUNICIPAL UTILITIES-REFUND ACCT REFUNDS OF CREDITS ON ACCOUNTS $13,043.39
NAPA CENTRAL SUPPLIES $416.79
NELSON TECHNOLOGIES INC SUPPLIES $415.51
NORTHERN TRUCK EQUIP CORP SUPPLIES $2,305.63
NORTHWEST PIPE FITTINGS INC SUPPLIES $3,820.45
OFFICE PEEPS SUPPLIES $343.91
O’REILLY AUTOMOTIVE INC SUPPLIES $115.04
PARA UX LLC SERVICE $187.50
PAYMENTUS GROUP INC. SERVICE $39.80
PERFORMANCE TOWING SERVICE $1,442.50
PETE LIEN & SONS BULK LIME $13,562.92
PHEASANTLAND INDUSTRIES SUPPLIES $2,216.25
POMP’S TIRE SERVICE, INC. SUPPLIES $765.60
PRO LINE INC SUPPLIES $183.97
RELIABANK DAKOTA FLEX DC $7,381.53
REVOLT ELECTRICAL SERVICES INC. SERVICE – PELICAN SUB, EAST SUB $77,042.75
RON’S SAW SALES SERVICE $364.95
RUNNING’S SUPPLY INC SUPPLIES $450.30
SANFORD WATERTOWN OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE SERVICE $449.00
SD ONE CALL LOCATES $165.90
SENSAPHONE SUBSCRIPTION $299.40
SENSIT TECHNOLOGIES LLC LEAK DETECTION EQUIPMENT – GAS $13,039.95
SIOUX VALLEY CO-OP FUEL, SUPPLIES $7,163.94
STAR LAUNDRY SERVICE $554.99
STEFFL DRILLING & PUMP INC SERVICE – WELL #37 $11,250.00
STEIN SIGN DISPLAY PUBLIC AWARENESS $1,500.00
STILLWELD 360, LLC SERVICE $1,200.00
STRUSS, SCOTT REIMBURSEMENT EXPENSE $687.40
STUART C IRBY CO RESIDENTIAL ALUMINUM STREET LIGHT POLES AS PER BID $38,547.45
SUBSURFACE SOLUTIONS SUBSCRIPTION $360.00
TEREX USA, LLC SERVICE, SUPPLIES -UNIT 2 $8,663.55
THOMPSON MECHANICAL INC SERVICE – WTP $3,298.68
TITAN MACHINERY- WTN SERVICE – UNIT 25 $1,335.97
TOSHIBA FINANCIAL SERVICES COPIER LEASE $613.95
TRAV’S OUTFITTER SAFETY CLOTHING $1,337.20
TWOTREES TECHNOLOGIES SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE $1,218.75
TYLER TECHNOLOGIES BILLING SOFTWARE $24,062.50
USA BLUEBOOK SUPPLIES $1,368.02
USA TODAY MEDIA CORP PUBLISHINGS $358.22
WARD, MARK REIMBURSEMENT EXPENSE $80.00
WATERTOWN CURRENT LLC PUBLISHINGS $414.28
WATERTOWN DEVELOPMENT COMPANY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT EXPENSE $8,690.00
WATERTOWN FORD CHRYSLER SUPPLIES $136.00
WATERTOWN LAWN & GARDEN SUPPLIES $221.00
WATERTOWN UNITED WAY United Way $217.50
WATERTOWN WHOLESALE INC SUPPLIES $2,282.60
WESCO DISTRIBUTION INC 4 POSITION MODULES, STAND OFF BUSHINGS $34,760.00
ZEP SALES AND SERVICE SUPPLIES $547.64
TOTAL $881,589.86
Total April 2026 $881,589.86, Transfer to City’s General Fund $127,841.00, Muni Utilities Electric Water Gas $42,262.00; Missouri River Energy Services Power $1,886,467.13; BP Canada Energy Marketing Natural Gas $194,586.99; Dept. of Revenue Sales/Excise Tax $245,340.91; CPEP #3 Natural Gas $75,076.11, CPEP #4 Natural Gas $41,354.47, CPEP #5 Natural Gas $192,101.96, CPEP #3 Hedge $25,063.50, CPEP #4 Hedge $11,437.50.
ITEM 8350
Pursuant to SDCL 1-25-2 (6G) Luken moved with second by Carter to move to Executive Session. No action is expected when coming out of Executive Session. Motion carried.
Board President Brenden declared Executive Session done and they reconvened to regular session.
Motion by Luken with second by Thomas to adjourn. Motion carried.
The Watertown Municipal Utilities does not discriminate in employment opportunities or provision of services on-the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Dated at Watertown, South Dakota this 27th, day of April,2026.
Lisa Pahl
Board Secretary
Municipal Utilities Board
Published once on May 7, 2026, at the total approximate cost of $149.50 and can be viewed free of charge at www.sdpublicnotices.com and www.watertowncurrent.com.