By Watertown Current - February 19, 2026 in Official Proceedings
County of Codington
Codington County Court House
14 1st Ave SE
Watertown, SD 57201
February 03, 2026
The Codington County Commissioners met in regular session at 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 03, 2026, at the Codington County Court House. Commission members present were Lee Gabel (via ZOOM), Tyler McElhany, Myron Johnson, and Randall Schweer, absent Troy VanDusen; Vice-Chair McElhany, presiding. The pledge of allegiance was led by State’s Attorney, Alison Bakken.
CALLS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST ITEMS
Vice-Chair McElhany 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 Johnson, to approve February 03, 2026, agenda as posted; all voted aye; motion carried.
MINUTES APPROVED
Motion by Johnson, second by Gabel, to approve the minutes of January 27, 2026; all voted aye; motion carried.
APPROVAL TO SELL ALCOHOL AT EXTENSION FOR A WEDDING EVENT
Austin Appelhof met with the Board to request authorization for alcohol sales at the Kranz/Appelhof wedding scheduled for June 6, 2026, at the Codington County Extension Center Complex. The liquor license held by Cloud 9 will be transferred for this event. Cloud 9 will be regulating all alcohol sales, security, and minor control. Motion by Johnson, second by Schweer, to approve the request for alcohol sales on June 6, 2026, at the Extension Center Complex, as requested; all voted aye; motion carried.
APPROVAL TO SELL ALCOHOL AT EXTENSION FOR A WEDDING EVENT
Mary Stromseth met with the Board to request authorization for alcohol sales at the Stromseth/Stadheim wedding scheduled for September 25, 2026, at the Codington County Extension Center Complex. The liquor license held by Cloud 9 will be transferred for this event. Cloud 9 will be regulating all alcohol sales, security, and minor control. Motion by Johnson, second by Schweer, to approve the request for alcohol sales on September 25, 2026, at the Extension Center Complex, as requested; all voted aye; motion carried.
MONTHLY REPORTS
4-H Youth Program Advisor, Jodi Loehrer, updated the Board: farm show prep is underway for the 4-H Leaders’ three lunch counters, could still use a few more volunteers to help with the lunch counters. A big thank you to Patti Sperry, Karen Weber & Caitlin Bach for chairing the lunch counters; 4-H youth are invited to join in the Youth Livestock Literacy & Skillathon at the Watertown Farm Show, February 13-14, from 9 am-1 pm in Classroom A, this is open to all youth who need to complete the Youth Livestock Literacy requirements to show in 4-H; A NE 4-H Calf Show will be held at the conclusion of the Farm Show on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at noon, it is open to youth in the NE SD Counties of Brookings, Clark, Codington, Day, Deuel, Grant, Hamlin, Kingsbury, Marshall, Roberts and Spink; shooting sports is going strong with Air Pistol/Air Rifle (10), BB Gun (38) and Archery (54), a big thank you to the Shooting Sports volunteers, we plan to have a spaghetti feed on Sunday, March 8th, 2026, at the Extension Complex, we will also note intent of holding a raffle. The 2025 rental fees for the Extension Complex were down from 2024.
SHOOTING SPORTS RAFFLE
4-H/Youth Program Advisor, Jodi Loehrer, provided the Board with the 4-H Leader’s Association intent to hold a raffle for the 4-H Shooting Sports Program, beginning March 8th and ending on or before May 17th, 2026, which is the date of the drawing. The proceeds from this raffle will be used to grow and support needs of the Shooting Sports program.
BRIDGE INSPECTION PROGRAM RESOLUTION
Motion by Gabel, second by Schweer, to approve Resolution 2026-3, which complies with required bridge inspections and appoints a Consulting Engineer; all voted aye; motion carried:
RESOLUTION 2026-03
BRIDGE REINSPECTION
PROGRAM RESOLUTION
FOR USE WITH SDDOT RETAINER CONTRACTS
WHEREAS, 23 CRF 650 Subpart C, requires initial inspection of all bridges and reinspection at intervals not to exceed two years with the exception of reinforced concrete box culverts that meet specific criteria. These culverts are reinspected at intervals not to exceed four years.
THEREFORE, Codington County is desirous of participating in the Bridge Inspection Program using Bridge Replacement funds.
The County requests SDDOT to hire Banner Associates, Inc. (Consulting Engineers) for the inspection work. SDDOT will secure federal approvals, make payments to the Consulting Engineer for inspection services rendered, and bill the County for 20% of the cost. The County will be responsible for the required 20% matching funds.
Dated this 3rd day of February 2026, at Watertown, South Dakota.
Codington County Board of Commissioners
Tyler McElhany, Vice-Chair
ATTEST:
Brenda Hanten, County Auditor
SURPLUS OFFICE EQUIPMENT
Motion by Gabel, second by Schweer, to declare the following office equipment, in the Emergency Management Office, surplus to be destroyed: wood table and Stove, oven & sink combination; all voted aye; motion carried.
HOMELAND SECURITY ANNUAL GRANT FUNDING
Motion by Johnson, second by Schweer, to authorize the Emergency Management office to apply for annual Homeland Security grant funding; all voted aye; motion carried.
PERSONNEL CHANGE
Motion by Johnson, second by Gabel, to approve the following personnel change: Charlie Dally, Facilities Tech I, G20/Step A, $21.96 per hour, effective 2-09-2026; all voted aye; motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
State’s Attorney, Alison Bakken, provided the Board with Appointment of Special Deputy State’s Attorney, Dylan Kirchmeier, and Acceptance of Appointment of Special Deputy State’s Attorney, Dylan Kirchmeier, for when she is out of the office, these documents will be on file with the Oaths of Office in the Auditor’s Office and also on file in the State’s Attorney office.
Commissioner McElhany toured where the concrete panels are being made for the new jail, he stated that it was very interesting, they had started working on the panels for the new jail and ones that are completed looked good; Commissioner Gabel informed the Board that they are pouring precast panels for area A & B and backfilling areas of the footings and bases of the walls.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion by Johnson, second by Schweer, to enter executive session, per SDCL 1-25-2 (2) Consulting with legal counsel or reviewing communications from legal counsel about proposed or pending litigation or contractual matters (SDCL 1-25-2 3)) at 9:18 a.m.; all voted aye; motion carried. The Board returned to regular session at 9:38 a.m., and no action was taken. Human Resource Representative, Natalie Remund, State’s Attorney, Alison Bakken, and Auditor, Brenda Hanten, were present for executive session.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon conclusion of all business to come before the Board, a motion was made by Johnson, second by
Gabel to adjourn at 9:38 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 February 19, 2026, at the total approximate cost of $75.92 and can be viewed free of charge at www.sdpublicnotices.com and www.watertowncurrent.com.