OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS COUNTY OF CODINGTON – DECEMBER 30, 2025


Official Proceedings
County of Codington
Codington County Court House
14 1st Ave SE
Watertown, SD 57201

December 30, 2025

The Codington County Commissioners met in regular session at 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at the Codington County Court House. Commission members present were Lee Gabel, Tyler McElhany (via Zoom), Myron Johnson, Randall Schweer; and Troy VanDusen; Chair VanDusen, presiding. The pledge of allegiance was led by Facility Manager, Steve Molengraaf.

CALLS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST ITEMS
Chair VanDusen called for public comments to be taken up during the open portion of the meeting; none were offered. There were no conflict-of-interest items to note.

AGENDA APPROVED
Motion by Schweer, second by Gabel, to approve the agenda for December 30, 2025, with the exception to move agenda item #11 before agenda item #6; all voted aye; motion carried.

MINUTES APPROVED
Motion by Johnson, second by McElhany, to approve the minutes of December 23, 2025; all voted aye; motion carried.

COMMISSIONER CONTINGENCY TRANSFERS
Motion by Johnson, second by Gabel, to approve Commissioner Contingency transfers to the Commissioners Budget in the amount of $6,510.17; Veteran Service Office Budget in the amount of $7,348.24; Senior Aid Budget in the amount of $.04; and the Court Appointed Attorney Budget in the amount of $23,527.59 for a total of Commissioner Contingency transfers is $37,386.04; all voted aye; motion carried.

PUBLIC HEARING/FORMAL BUDGETS SUPPLEMENTS
The Board held a public hearing, as previously advertised, to receive public comments on a formal budget supplement to the 2025 E911 Budget and 2025 General Funds Budgets. Chair VanDusen opened the public hearing to the public at this time. No persons offered comments during the public hearing. Chair VanDusen closed the public hearing and turned to the Board for action and further comments. Motion by Johnson, second by Schweer, to approve formal supplement to the 2025 Court Appointed Attorney Budget in the amount of $76,385.39; all voted aye; motion carried. Motion by Johnson, second by McElhany, to approve formal supplement to the 2025 E911 Budget in the amount of $87,765.11. The formal supplementing of this budget will give the County spending authority of the cash received and deposited into this fund. Gabel, McElhany, Johnson and Schweer voted aye; VanDusen was recused; motion carried.

COMMERCIAL LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN MICHAEL COLE AND CODINGTON COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Michael Cole, landlord of the property 104 1st Ave NW, Watertown, SD 57201, the current location where the Codington County Health Nurse Office is located, presented the Board with an updated lease since he is now the current owner, Mr. Cole would like the Board to sign a 5-year lease with an increase of $360.00 per month. The Board would like a clause added for either party to terminate the lease and then to have the State’s Attorney review it before they take action.

ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR RAUVILLE TOWNSHIP
Rauville Township Board member, Scott Lentz, appeared before the Board to request additional RAIF funding from the original amount of $100,000.00 that was approved at the January 14, 2025, meeting which the cost share of 80% RAIF funding was $80,000.00. They also requested additional RAIF funding in the amount of $52,000.00 that was approved on April 22, 2025, which the cost share of 80% RAIF funding is $41,600.00, the request today is for an additional cost for the rip rap and granite cost of $1,950.00 which the cost share of 80% RAIF funding is $1,560.00. Motion by Gabel, second by Schweer to approve the additional amount of RAIF funding to Rauville Township in the amount of $1560.00; all voted aye; motion carried.

SOUTH DAKOTA OPIOID FUNDS FOR PHONE AND TRANSPORTATION
Motion by Gabel, second by Johnson, to authorize the Community Service Office to apply for the State Opioid Resource funding grant in the amount of $5,000.00, for phones and transportation for individuals in pre-trial services; Community Service Director, Sara Foust, informed the Board of the details related to the grant; all voted aye; motion carried.

DESIGNATE SURPLUS FUNDS FOR FUTURE BUILDING PROJECTS
The Board held discussion with no action needed due to the fact that the unreserved, undesignated fund balance percentage of the following year’s General Fund Budget is 18%.

2026 MONTHLY RATE WAGE SCALE
Motion by Gabel, second by McElhany, to approve the 2026 monthly rate Wage Scale with a 2.6% added to each grade and step, paid in 2025, within the scale; all voted aye; motion carried.

Seasonal Weed Sprayer Weed Control $18.68 $18.99 $19.30 $19.61 $19.91
Seasonal Memorial Park – Custodian County Park
Seasonal Weed/Park
Title Dept/Div. Step A Step B Step C Step D Step E
Seasonal Memorial Park – Technician County Park $20.55 $20.86 $21.17 $21.47 $21.78
Title Dept/Div. Step A Step B Step C Step D Step E
Matron $22.60 $22.91 $23.22 $23.53 $23.83
Title Dept/Div. Step A Step B Step C Step D Step E
Seasonal Assistant Weed Supervisor Weed Control $27.66 $28.35 $29.06 $29.78 $30.53
Title Dept/Div. Step A Step B Step C Step D Step E Step F (m) Step G Step H Step I Step J Step K Step L
$18.84 $19.31 $19.79 $20.28 $20.79 $21.31 $21.84 $22.39 $22.95 $23.53 $24.11 $24.72
$3,278.16 $3,359.94 $3,443.46 $3,528.72 $3,617.46 $3,707.94 $3,800.16 $3,895.86 $3,993.30 $4,094.22 $4,195.14 $4,301.28
Title Dept/Div. Step A Step B Step C Step D Step E Step F (m) Step G Step H Step I Step J Step K Step L
Custodian Maintenance $20.34 $20.85 $21.37 $21.91 $22.45 $23.01 $23.59 $24.17 $24.78 $25.39 $26.03 $26.68
$3,539.16 $3,627.90 $3,718.38 $3,812.34 $3,906.30 $4,003.74 $4,104.66 $4,205.58 $4,311.72 $4,417.86 $4,529.22 $4,642.32
Title Dept/Div. Step A Step B Step C Step D Step E Step F (m) Step G Step H Step I Step J Step K Step L
Administrative Support States Attorney $21.96 $22.50 $23.06 $23.64 $24.23 $24.84 $25.47 $26.10 $26.76 $27.42 $28.11 $28.82
Administrative Support Treasurer $3,821.04 $3,915.00 $4,012.44 $4,113.36 $4,216.02 $4,322.16 $4,431.78 $4,541.40 $4,656.24 $4,771.08 $4,891.14 $5,014.68
Administrative Support Auditor
Facitilities Technician I Maintenance
Health Administrative Tech Health
Title Dept/Div. Step A Step B Step C Step D Step E Step F (m) Step G Step H Step I Step J Step K Step L
Administrative Assistant Equalization $23.71 $24.31 $24.91 $25.54 $26.17 $26.83 $27.50 $28.18 $28.89 $29.61 $30.35 $31.11
Administrative Support Community Services $4,125.54 $4,229.94 $4,334.34 $4,443.96 $4,553.58 $4,668.42 $4,785.00 $4,903.32 $5,026.86 $5,152.14 $5,280.90 $5,413.14
Community Care Coordinator Community Services
Financial Assistant Auditor
Public Health Assistant W.I.C.
Public Safety Support Tech Sheriff/Corrections
Title Dept/Div. Step A Step B Step C Step D Step E Step F (m) Step G Step H Step I Step J Step K Step L
Administrative Specialist – Community Services Community Services $25.61 $26.25 $26.90 $27.58 $28.27 $28.97 $29.70 $30.44 $31.20 $31.98 $32.78 $33.60
Administrative Specialist – Emerg Mgmt Emergency Mgmt $4,456.14 $4,567.50 $4,680.60 $4,798.92 $4,918.98 $5,040.78 $5,167.80 $5,296.56 $5,428.80 $5,564.52 $5,703.72 $5,846.40
Administrative Specialist – Equalization Equalization
Administrative Specialist – Extension Extension
Administrative Specialist – ROD Register of Deeds
Administrative Specialist – SA States Attorney
Administrative Specialist – Veterans Veterans
Appraiser I Equalization
Facitilities Technician II Maintenance
Highway Maintenance Tech I Highway
Second Deputy – Treasurer Treasurer
Title Dept/Div. Step A Step B Step C Step D Step E Step F (m) Step G Step H Step I Step J Step K Step L
Accountant Administrator Auditor $27.66 $28.35 $29.06 $29.78 $30.53 $31.29 $32.07 $32.87 $33.69 $34.54 $35.40 $36.28
Correctional Officer Sheriff/Corrections $4,812.84 $4,932.90 $5,056.44 $5,181.72 $5,312.22 $5,444.46 $5,580.18 $5,719.38 $5,862.06 $6,009.96 $6,159.60 $6,312.72
Correctional Officer (PT) Sheriff/Corrections
Court Security Sheriff
Deputy Transport Sheriff
Facilities Technician – Lead Maintenance
Highway Maintenance Tech II Highway
Legal Records Specialist States Attorney
Payroll Specialist Auditor
Records Administrator Sheriff
Sr Administrative Specialist Extension
Sr Administrative Specialist Highway
Sr Administrative Specialist Register of Deeds
Title Dept/Div. Step A Step B Step C Step D Step E Step F (m) Step G Step H Step I Step J Step K Step L
Appraiser II Equalization $29.88 $30.63 $31.40 $32.18 $32.98 $33.80 $34.64 $35.50 $36.39 $37.31 $38.24 $39.19
Deputy Sheriff Sheriff $5,199.12 $5,329.62 $5,463.60 $5,599.32 $5,738.52 $5,881.20 $6,027.36 $6,177.00 $6,331.86 $6,491.94 $6,653.76 $6,819.06
Deputy Veteran Service Officer Veterans
Emergency Mgmt Deputy Director Emergency Mgmt
First Deputy Register of Deeds Register of Deeds
First Deputy Treasurer Treasurer
Highway Maintenance Tech III Highway
Mechanic Highway
Sr Maintenance Tech Maintenance/Jail
Substance Use and Justice Programs Coordinator Community Services
Title Dept/Div. Step A Step B Step C Step D Step E Step F (m) Step G Step H Step I Step J Step K Step L
Equalization Data Base Coord Equalization $32.25 $33.06 $33.89 $34.74 $35.61 $36.51 $37.42 $38.35 $39.31 $40.29 $41.30 $42.33
Correctional Sergeant Sheriff/Corrections $5,611.50 $5,752.44 $5,896.86 $6,044.76 $6,196.14 $6,352.74 $6,511.08 $6,672.90 $6,839.94 $7,010.46 $7,186.20 $7,365.42
Victim Witness Services Coordinator States Attorney
Shop Foreman Mechanic Highway
Title Dept/Div. Step A Step B Step C Step D Step E Step F (m) Step G Step H Step I Step J Step K Step L
Assistant Highway Superintendent Highway $34.85 $35.73 $36.62 $37.53 $38.46 $39.43 $40.41 $41.42 $42.46 $43.51 $44.60 $45.72
Sergeant – Sheriff Sheriff $6,063.90 $6,217.02 $6,371.88 $6,530.22 $6,692.04 $6,860.82 $7,031.34 $7,207.08 $7,388.04 $7,570.74 $7,760.40 $7,955.28
Title Dept/Div. Step A Step B Step C Step D Step E Step F (m) Step G Step H Step I Step J Step K Step L
Veterans Services Director Veterans $36.60 $37.51 $38.44 $39.41 $40.39 $41.40 $42.44 $43.49 $44.58 $45.70 $46.84 $48.01
Community Services Director Community Services $6,368.40 $6,526.74 $6,688.56 $6,857.34 $7,027.86 $7,203.60 $7,384.56 $7,567.26 $7,756.92 $7,951.80 $8,150.16 $8,353.74
Title Dept/Div. Step A Step B Step C Step D Step E Step F (m) Step G Step H Step I Step J Step K Step L
Chief Deputy Sheriff $38.43 $39.40 $40.38 $41.39 $42.43 $43.48 $44.57 $45.69 $46.83 $48.00 $49.20 $50.43
Chief of Corrections Sheriff/Corrections $6,686.82 $6,855.60 $7,026.12 $7,201.86 $7,382.82 $7,565.52 $7,755.18 $7,950.06 $8,148.42 $8,352.00 $8,560.80 $8,774.82
Director of Facilities Maintenance
Director of Emergency Management Emergency Mgmt
Title Dept/Div. Step A Step B Step C Step D Step E Step F (m) Step G Step H Step I Step J Step K Step L
County Auditor Auditor $42.27 $43.33 $44.42 $45.52 $46.66 $47.83 $49.03 $50.25 $51.51 $52.80 $54.12 $55.48
County Treasurer Treasurer $7,354.98 $7,539.42 $7,729.08 $7,920.48 $8,118.84 $8,322.42 $8,531.22 $8,743.50 $8,962.74 $9,187.20 $9,416.88 $9,653.52
Deputy States Attorney States Attorney
Director of Equalization Equalization
Register of Deeds Register of Deeds
Title Dept/Div. Step A Step B Step C Step D Step E Step F (m) Step G Step H Step I Step J Step K Step L
Highway Superintendent Highway $44.37 $45.48 $46.62 $47.79 $48.98 $50.20 $51.45 $52.74 $54.06 $55.41 $56.80 $58.22
$7,720.38 $7,913.52 $8,111.88 $8,315.46 $8,522.52 $8,734.80 $8,952.30 $9,176.76 $9,406.44 $9,641.34 $9,883.20 $10,130.28
Title Dept/Div. Step A Step B Step C Step D Step E Step F (m) Step G Step H Step I Step J Step K Step L
Sheriff Sheriff $53.04 $54.37 $55.72 $57.12 $58.54 $60.01 $61.51 $63.05 $64.63 $66.24 $67.89 $69.58
$9,228.96 $9,460.38 $9,695.28 $9,938.88 $10,185.96 $10,441.74 $10,701.00 $10,970.70 $11,245.62 $11,525.76 $11,812.86 $12,106.92
Title Dept/Div. Step A Step B Step C Step D Step E Step F (m) Step G Step H Step I Step J Step K Step L
States Attorney States Attorney $59.40 $60.88 $62.40 $63.96 $65.56 $67.20 $68.89 $70.61 $72.37 $74.18 $76.04 $77.93
$10,335.60 $10,593.12 $10,857.60 $11,129.04 $11,407.44 $11,692.80 $11,986.86 $12,286.14 $12,592.38 $12,907.32 $13,230.96 $13,559.82

 

DECEMBER SALARY CLAIMS
Motion by Gabel, second by McElhany, to approve for payment the following December salary claims.
all voted aye; motion carried.
Commissioners: 12,182.74 total salaries. Auditor: 22,628.65 total salaries. Co. Treasurer: 52,380.25 total salaries. States Attorney: 59,644.37 total salaries. Gov. Buildings: 25,839.89 total salaries. Dir. Equalization: 64,468.59 total salaries. Reg. of Deeds: 35,998.19 total salaries. Veterans Service: 12,738.26 total salaries. Sheriff: 161,684.61 total salaries. Jail: 194,212.68 total salaries. Coroner: 6028.40 total salaries. Welfare: 35,914.29 total salaries. CO. Nurse; 6,736.95 total salaries. Park: 0 total salaries Ag. Bldg.: 14,705.11 total salaries. Co. Extension: 15,153.90 total salaries. Weed: 6,093.21 total salaries. Planning Board: 339.96 total salaries. Road & Bridge: 121,331.64 total salaries. Emergency Management; 16,415.93 total salaries. Crime Victim: 10,262.82 total salaries. W.I.C.: 5,837.63 total salaries. 24/7: 7,388.46 total salaries. Total 888,046.53

Breakdown of withholding amounts which are included in the above:
S.D. Retirement 83,604.86; VSP 970.45 eye insurance; S.D. Supplemental Retire. 5,250.00 suppl. retire.; Sanford 113,621.31; Reliance Standard Life Insurance 1216.42 life ins.; Delta Dental 7,598.40 ins.; Codington County 7,826.73 employee HSA contribution; AFSCME Council 65 364.42 employee union dues; AFLAC 4,048.68 ins.; VSP 443.05 eye insurance; John Hancock 3,500.00 suppl. retire.; AFLAC 1,723.58 ins.; Sioux Valley Credit Union 21,564.60 employee payments; John Hancock Roth 400.00 suppl. retire.; SDRS Supplemental Retirement 4,670.00 Roth retirement; Teamsters Local Union 120 438.00 employee union due; Codington County Deputy Sheriff’s Association 135.00 employee union dues; ReliaBank Dakota 65,769.82 federal withholding; ReliaBank Dakota 81,602.54 social security; ReliaBank Dakota 19,084.54 Medicare; United Way 15.00 employee contributions; Health Equity 7,826.73 employee HSA contribution.

CLAIMS
Motion by McElhany, second by Schweer, to approve of following claims for payment; all voted aye; motion carried.
A&B BUSINESS SOLUTIONS 74.61 SUPPLIES, BANNER ASSOCIATES, INC 8000.00 REPAIR, BANNER ASSOCIATES, INC 27735.35 REPAIRS/MAINT., BATTERIES UNLIMITED 830.00 REPAIRS/MAINT., BLUEPEAK 120.77 UTIL, BUTLER MACHINERY 1594.85 SUPPLIES, CLAIMS ASSOCIATES 5000.00 SVC, COLE’S PETROLEUM 3634.45 SUPPLIES, CONSOLIDATED CORRECTIONAL 29796.53 SUP, CREDIT COLLECTIONS BUREAU 781.95 SVC, CREDIT COLLECTIONS BUREAU 244.56 SVC, CUSTOM TRUCK EQUIPMENT INC. 8001.38 REPAIRS/MAINT., DUANE’S FLOOR COVERING LLC 5860.00 REPAIR, DUININCK INCORPORATED 15437.99 REPAIR, ELITE DRAIN & SEWER 267.00 REPAIRS/MAINT., ES & S $6,574.84, FIRST DISTRICT ASSN OF LCL GOV 50336.47 SVC, GREEN APPLE SEPTIC TANK SERVIC 900.00 REPAIRS/MAINT., KENNEDY PIER LOFTUS & REYNOLDS 474.00 SVC, L&R AUTO AND ACCESSORIES LLC 1244.00 SUPPLIES, LINCOLN CO TREASURER 2909.80 SVC, LOCKSMITH AND MORE 175.00 SUPPLIES, MANATRON, INC 7029.84 MAINT, MIDCONTINENT COMMUNICATIONS 623.51 UTIL, MIDWEST PETROLEUM 381.25 REPAIRS/MAINT., MUNICIPAL UTILITIES 145.77 UTIL, MUNICIPAL UTILITIES 828.92 UTILITIES, NORTHERN CON-AGG 27705.62 SUPPLIES, OFFICE PEEPS, INC. 369.50 SUP, OFFICE PEEPS 40.74 SUPPLIES, PELICAN TOWNSHIP 47024.62 SVC, POMP’S TIRE SERVICE, INC. 2040.20 REPAIRS/MAINT., PPWIX WEBSITE SERVICES 1812.00 SVC, PRO LINE, INC. 7370.50 SUPPLIES, RAUVILLE TOWNSHIP 74944.00 PMT, RIDDLE’S GLASS INC 7958.00 EQUIP, RUNNING SUPPLY INC. 918.25 SUPPLIES, SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC 1119.39 REPAIRS/MAINT., SD DEPT OF LEGISLATIVE AUDIT 33821.20 SVC, SOUTH DAKOTA DEPT. OF TRANSPOR 169696.54 REPAIRS/MAINT., SDHSC 1200.00 SVC, SHARP AUTOMOTIVE 1266.73 REPAIRS/MAINT., SIOUX VALLEY COOP 19950.54 SUPPLIES, TOWN OF SOUTH SHORE 96.00 UTILITIES, STAR LAUNDRY 5175.10 SUP, THOMSON REUTERS-WEST 585.92 SUP, THURMAN LAW OFFICE 258.30 SVC, TWOTREES TECHNOLOGIES 2784.32 SUP, RELIABANK VISA 957.58 SUPPLIES, WATERTOWN PUBLIC OPINION 557.94 PUB, FLEETPRIDE, INC. 1673.70 SUPPLIES,

Motion by Gabel, second by McElhany, to approve the following new jail claims; all voted aye; motion carried.
ARCHITECTURE INCORPORATED 57869.01 PMT, BECKENHAUER CONSTRUCTION INC 792587.49 PMT, GEOTEK ENGINEERING 20933.50 PMT, MUNICIPAL UTILITIES 268.68 UTIL, THE TEGRA GROUP, INC 20833.60 PMT,

AUTOMATIC BUDGET SUPPLEMENTS
Motion by Gabel, second by Schweer, to approve an automatic budget supplement to the Community Service Budget in the amount of $44,941.77 with DOJ COSSUP grant funds; all voted aye; motion carried. Motion by Johnson, second by McElhany, to approve an automatic budget supplement, to the Community Service Budget in the amount of $7,572.48 with ERA – 2 funds, all voted aye; motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS
Commissioner Gabel informed the Board and presented pictures of the precast panels which will start to be delivered in February, for the new jail project.

OPEN
Commission Comments – Commissioner VanDusen mentioned that the new County website has been launched and is up and running.

ADJOURNMENT
Upon conclusion of all business to come before the Board, a motion was made by Johnson, second by Schweer, to adjourn at 9:35 a.m., all voted aye; motion carried.

ATTEST:

Brenda Hanten
Codington County Auditor

Codington County does not discriminate on the basis of color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or
disability in employment or the provision of service.

Published once on January 15, 2026, at the total approximate cost of $190.06 and can be viewed free of charge at www.sdpublicnotices.com and www.watertowncurrent.com.