By Watertown Current - June 4, 2026 in Official Proceedings
County of Codington
Codington County Court House
14 1st Ave SE
Watertown, SD 57201
May 19, 2026
The Codington County Commissioners met in regular session at 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at the Codington County Court House. Commission members present were: Tyler McElhany, Myron Johnson, and Randall Schweer, absent were Troy VanDusen and Lee Gabel; Vice-Chair McElhany, presiding. The pledge of allegiance was led by Commissioner Schweer.
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 the agenda for May 19, 2026, as posted; all voted aye; motion carried.
MINUTES APPROVED
Motion by Johnson, second by Schweer, to approve the minutes of May 12, 2026; all voted aye; motion carried.
FIREWORKS SHOW PERMIT
Motion by Johnson, second by Schweer, to approve the following fireworks show permit: Thor Thonvold, person discharging, location 16626 455th Ave., May 23rd, 2026; all voted aye; motion carried.
MONTHLY REPORTS
Highway Superintendent, Randy Falvey, updated the Board: Plows have been removed from the trucks and the load limits have been lifted; Grangaard Construction Inc. continuing ahead of schedule on the 14th Avenue bridge project, riprap is completed, concrete sidewalks are left which will be completed by the last week in May, also still need to lay the asphalt on the aprons, the asphalt plant isn’t operating yet and most likely this portion of the project won’t happen until the first week in June; Prahm Construction out of Slayton, MN is working on repairing the east bridge deck on the bridge on 460th Ave between 169th and 170th Street, east of Watertown; continue to crack seal utilizing our new crack sealer and will do so until the end of the month and then will start hauling pea rock from Con-Ag to start chip sealing in July; had the roofs of the out shops inspected and found some minor issues that need to be addressed, will be getting quotes to have them sealed; currently we have two guys out on medical leave one will be returning June 1st and the other one returning in a few weeks; currently taking applications to fill an opening for a Maintenance II position, starting at $27.66/hour, hoping to fill the position by mid-June; currently working on finishing up on the budget for next year. Facility Manager, Steve Molengraaf, Ag. Building – staff continue setting up and cleaning for meetings and events, the rotten barn posts are gradually being worked on when they have available time; Court House/Detention Center– staff have been converting standard light bulbs to led bulbs; Park – 633 reservations, with a revenue of $81,007.50 as of 4-17-2026; tree clean-up has been completed with having the walking path well destroyed from all the winds over the winter and spring, there were a couple of camping sites that had water leakage underground from the deep frost that need repair; Weed – equipment is getting prepped for the spraying season, looking at starting sometime around the first of June depending on the growth stages of the Leafy Spurge and Canada Thistles, the plant ID Tour has been set for June 11th near Ree Heights, the plant id tours have been conducted with weed supervisors, Nature Conservancy and SD Game Fish & Parks since 2013, we’ve had nearly 90 attendees in the past.
SURPLUS HIGHWAY EQUIPMENT
Motion by Johnson, second by Schweer, to declare the following Highway equipment to be sold on Purple Wave; 2013 Cimline 230DHR Crack Sealer SN: 1G9241525DM119101 and 1974 John Deere 2030F 2WD Tractor with PTO SN: 20268IT; and the following item to be donated to Lake Area Technical College; 1965 Trail Mobile 8,800 gallon water tank trailer SN: F1154DBHB50540; all voted aye; motion carried.
REVISED ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST JOB DESCRIPTION IN COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICE
Motion by Johnson, second by Schweer, to approve a revised job description for the position of Administrative Specialist in the Community Service Office at a pay grade 30; all voted aye; motion carried.
REVISED COMMUNITY SERVICES SPECIALIST IN COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICE
Motion by Schweer, second by Johnson, to approve revised job description for the position of Community Services Specialist position in the Community Service Office at a pay grade 30; all voted aye; motion carried.
REVISED WAGE SCALE
Motion by Schweer, second by Johnson, to approve a revised wage scale for the addition of Community Service Administrative Specialist to Grade 30 and Community Services Specialist to Grade 30, as presented by Human Resource Representative, Natalie Remund; all voted aye; motion carried.
AA/ 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
Seasonal Weed Sprayer Weed Control $18.68 $18.99 $19.30 $19.61 $19.91
Seasonal Memorial Park – Custodian County Park
Seasonal Weed/Park
BB/ 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
CC/ Title Dept/Div. /Step A Step B Step C Step D Step E
Matron $22.60 $22.91 $23.22 $23.53 $23.83
DD /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
10 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
15 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
20 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
Facilities Technician I Maintenance
Health Administrative Tech Health
25 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
Community Care Coordinator 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
Financial Assistant Auditor
Public Health Assistant W.I.C.
Public Safety Support Tech Sheriff/Corrections
30 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
Community Services Specialist – Community Services Community Services $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 – Emerg Mgmt Emergency Mgmt
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
35 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
40 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
Pretrial Case Manager Community Services
45 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
50 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
55 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
60 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
65E 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
70 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
75E 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 $10,702.74 $10,970.70 $11,245.62 $11,525.76 $11,812.86 $12,106.92
80E /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
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH GRANT FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS
Motion by Johnson, second by Schweer, to authorize chair to sign South Dakota Department of Health Grant for Community Health Grant between Codington County and South Dakota Department of Health, in the amount not to exceed $39,998.00, beginning 6/01/2026 to 5/31/2027; all voted aye; motion carried.
JUNE 4TH MEETING DATE
Motion by Johnson, second by Schweer, to meet on June 4th, 2026, due to the need to canvass the votes and select the precincts and races for the post-election audit of the 2026 June Primary Election; all voted aye; motion carried.
MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY
The Board noted the Court House, and all County Offices will be closed on Monday, May 25th, 2026.
CLAIMS
Motion by Johnson, second by Schweer, to approve for payment the following claim; all voted aye; motion carried. MUNICIPAL UTILITIES 150.00
PERSONNEL CHANGES
Motion by Johnson, second by Schweer, to approve the following personnel changes: Mallory Towle, Administrative Specialist in Community Service Office, Grade 30/Step A, $25.61 per hour, effective 6-01-2026; Paige Welling, Community Services Specialist in Community Service Office, Grade 30/Step C, $26.90 per hour, effective 6-01-2026; all voted aye; motion carried.
TRAVEL REQUEST
Motion by Schweer, second by Johnson, to approve the following travel request: Director of Equalization staff to attend meeting; Emergency Management staff to attend board meeting; all voted aye; motion carried.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion by Johnson, second by Schweer, to enter executive session, per SDCL 1-25-2 (1) Discussion of personnel issues (SDCL 1-25-2(1)) and (3) Preparing for contract negotiations for negotiating with employees or employee representatives (SDCL 1-25-2(4) at 9:27 a.m.; all voted aye; motion carried. The Board returned to regular session at 10:19 a.m. and took the following action; Motion by Johnson, second by Schweer to end the employment of the employee that was discussed in executive session; all voted aye; motion carried. Motion by Schweer, second by Johnson, to approve hiring temporary part-time Administrative Support in the Auditors Office; all voted aye; motion carried. Human Resource Representative, Natalie Remund, Auditor, Brenda Hanten and Chief Deputy, Brent Solum, were present for executive session.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon conclusion of all business to come before the Board, a motion was made by Johnson, second by Schweer to adjourn at 10:19 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 June 4, 2026, at the total approximate cost of $181.74 and may be viewed free of charge at www.sdpublicnotices.com and www.watertowncurrent.com.
