By Watertown Current - June 11, 2026 in Official Proceedings
County of Codington
Codington County Court House
14 1st Ave SE
Watertown, SD 57201
May 26, 2026
The Codington County Commissioners met in regular session at 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at the Codington County Court House. Commission members present were: Lee Gabel (via ZOOM), Tyler McElhany, Myron Johnson, Randall Schweer, and Troy VanDusen; Chair VanDusen, presiding. The pledge of allegiance was led by Commissioner Schweer.
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 McElhany, second by Schweer, to approve the agenda for May 26, 2026, as posted; all voted aye; motion carried.
MINUTES APPROVED
Motion by Johnson, second by Schweer, to approve the minutes of May 19, 2026; all voted aye; motion carried.
NATIONAL OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS
Kari Johnston, Executive Director of Human Service Agency, provided the Board with information to request $35,000 to be allocated to the Human Service Agency to support the Medication-Assisted Treatment Program to ensure continued access to this essential, evidence-based service for individuals living with Opioid Use Disorder; Motion by Gabel, second by Johnson, to approve allocating $35,000 from the National Opioid Settlement Fund to the Human Service Agency for the purpose of the Medication-Assisted Treatment Program; all voted aye; motion carried.
PLAT RESOLUTIONS APPROVED
Zoning Office, Luke Muller, provided the Board with documentation for three plats for their approval. Commissioner Johnson reviewed all three plats with the Board. The Board took the following action:
RESOLUTION 2026-10
A Resolution to approve the plating of Appelhof Addition in the County of Codington, South Dakota
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Commissioners of Codington County, South Dakota, as follows:
That an examination has been made of the plat entitled:
Appelhof Addition located in the Northeast Quarter of Section 13, Township 116 North, Range 51 West of the 5th P.M.; Codington County, South Dakota (Kranzburg (S) Township), and that the County Planning Commission of the said County has recommended approval of the said plat, and it also appearing that the plat and survey accompanying the same has been executed according to law.
NOW, THEREFORE, said plat is hereby approved and the County Auditor of Codington County, South Dakota, is hereby authorized to endorse on the said plat a copy of the Resolution and to certify to the same thereon.
The above and foregoing resolution was moved for adoption by Commissioner Johnson, and second by Commissioner McElhany; all voted aye; whereupon the Chair of the Board of County Commissioners declared the same to be duly passed and adopted.
Dated this 26th day of May 2026, at Watertown, Codington County, South Dakota
Troy VanDusen
Commission Chair, Codington County, South Dakota
STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA
COUNTY OF CODINGTON
I, the undersigned, the duly appointed, elected, qualified, and acting County Auditor of Codington County, South Dakota, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of Resolution 2026-10, adopted by the Board of County Commissioners of Codington County, South Dakota.
Dated this 26th day of May 2026, at Watertown, Codington County, South Dakota.
Brenda Hanten
County Auditor, Codington County, South Dakota
RESOLUTION 2026-11
A Resolution to approve the plating of F and S Strohfus Addition in the County of Codington, South Dakota
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Commissioners of Codington County, South Dakota, as follows:
That an examination has been made of the plat entitled:
F and S Strohfus Addition located in the Southwest Quarter of Section 11, Township 116 North, Range 55 West of the 5th P.M.; Codington County, South Dakota (Henry Township), and that the County Planning Commission of the said County has recommended approval of the said plat, and it also appearing that the plat and survey accompanying the same has been executed according to law.
NOW, THEREFORE, said plat is hereby approved and the County Auditor of Codington County, South Dakota, is hereby authorized to endorse on the said plat a copy of the Resolution and to certify to the same thereon.
The above and foregoing resolution was moved for adoption by Commissioner Johnson, and second by Commissioner Schweer; all voted aye; whereupon the Chair of the Board of County Commissioners declared the same to be duly passed and adopted.
Dated this 26th day of May 2026, at Watertown, Codington County, South Dakota
Troy VanDusen
Commission Chair, Codington County, South Dakota
STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA
COUNTY OF CODINGTON
I, the undersigned, the duly appointed, elected, qualified, and acting County Auditor of Codington County, South Dakota, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of Resolution 2026-11, adopted by the Board of County Commissioners of Codington County, South Dakota.
Dated this 26th day of May 2026, at Watertown, Codington County, South Dakota.
Brenda Hanten
County Auditor, Codington County, South Dakota
RESOLUTION 2026-12
A Resolution to approve the plating of Spurrell Addition in the County of Codington, South Dakota
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Commissioners of Codington County, South Dakota, as follows:
That an examination has been made of the plat entitled:
Spurrell Addition located in the Southeast Quarter (SE1/4) of Section 34, Township 117 North, Range 53 West of the 5th P.M.; Codington County, South Dakota (Henry Township), and that the County Planning Commission of the said County has recommended approval of the said plat, and it also appearing that the plat and survey accompanying the same has been executed according to law.
NOW, THEREFORE, said plat is hereby approved and the County Auditor of Codington County, South Dakota, is hereby authorized to endorse on the said plat a copy of the Resolution and to certify to the same thereon.
The above and foregoing resolution was moved for adoption by Commissioner Johnson, and second by Commissioner McElhany; all voted aye; whereupon the Chair of the Board of County Commissioners declared the same to be duly passed and adopted.
Dated this 26th day of May 2026, at Watertown, Codington County, South Dakota
Troy VanDusen
Commission Chair, Codington County, South Dakota
STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA
COUNTY OF CODINGTON
I, the undersigned, the duly appointed, elected, qualified, and acting County Auditor of Codington County, South Dakota, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of Resolution 2026-12, adopted by the Board of County Commissioners of Codington County, South Dakota.
Dated this 26th day of May 2026, at Watertown, Codington County, South Dakota.
Brenda Hanten
County Auditor, Codington County, South Dakota
MONTHLY REPORTS
Emergency Management Director, Andrew Delgado, updated the Board: Met with First District on the HAZMAT Plan rewrite, last one was completed in 2021, working with Kelli, on details she needs to facilitate that plan reversion, this will be completed before the end of August 2026, then it will go to the commissioners and LEPC; LEMP requirements: conducted a communications radio drill and attended the Region II meeting; Cheri printed IDs for some other departments and is updating city and municipal contact lists; in June will start weekly training for Search and Rescue, items will include radio, lights/sirens, backing, ROV and sonar; assisting with Search and Rescues big fundraiser, reminder that early bird tickets need to be purchased or postmarked by May 30th, 2026; upcoming events include LEPC meeting on June 9th, 2026, State Fire School will be held June 11-13, 2026, at LATC. Sheriff, Brad Howell, provided the Board with the following statistics, compiled from activity in the month of April 2026, for the Detention Center and Sheriff’s Office; office fees were collected in the amount of $21,161.02, and were retained by the County; ATM, Kiosk, and Commissary items sold with a commission fee to the County in the amount of $1,728.31; 496 cases/calls for service; 9 accident reports were completed; 71 warrants served; 209 sets of civil papers served; 2,072 transport miles; average daily inmate population 51.87 (high ADP 60 and low ADP 42); 16 individuals wearing SCRAM (security continuous remote alcohol monitor) bracelets; 9 individuals using remote breathalyzers; 46 individuals testing twice daily PBT’S; 57 individuals reporting twice weekly for UA Drug testing; 2 individual wearing a sweat patch; 226 bookings; $14,304.97 collected in fees for out of county prisoner contracts; $2250.00 collected in work release fees; $11,578.00 collected in fees for the 24/7 program and SCRAM fees; Sheriff Howell also provided Flock Safety statistics.
LIFE JACKETS FOR SEARCH AND RESCUE
Motion by McElhany, second by Schweer, to purchase 24 life jackets for Search and Rescue, in the amount of up to $3500.00; Emergency Manager, Andrew Delgado, informed the Board that the current life jackets have served their use and are looking at purchasing mesh high visibility life jackets and will be taken out of the Search and Rescue budget; all voted aye; motion carried.
FULL-TIME ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT POSITION IN THE AUDITOR’S OFFICE
Motion by McElhany, second by Schweer, to advertise and fill a full-time Administrative Support position in the Auditor’s Office at a pay grade 20/$21.96 hour; all voted aye; motion carried.
SALARY CLAIMS
Motion by McElhany, second by Gabel, to approve for payment the following May salary claims; all voted aye; motion carried.
Commissioners: 12,489.87 total salaries. Auditor: 28,947.42 total salaries. Co. Treasurer: 44,143.96 total salaries. States Attorney: 60,951.29 total salaries. Gov. Buildings: 22,398.68 total salaries. Dir. Equalization: 62,600.82 total salaries. Reg. of Deeds: 33,624.13 total salaries. Veterans Service: 13,537.04 total salaries. Sheriff: 153,896.60 total salaries. Jail: 189,724.24 total salaries. Coroner: 3,444.80 total salaries. Welfare: 34,015.44 total salaries. CO. Nurse; 6,456.16 total salaries. Park: $6,428.61 total salaries Ag. Bldg.: 14,559.57 total salaries. Co. Extension: 14,579.31 total salaries. Weed: 7,172.31 total salaries. Planning Board: $560.06 total salaries. Road & Bridge: 122,172.27 total salaries. Emergency Management; 15,828.25 total salaries. Crime Victim: 9,335.41 total salaries. W.I.C.: 5,942.69 total salaries. 24/7: 8,031.01 total salaries. Total 870,842.94.
Breakdown of withholding amounts which are included in the above:
S.D. Retirement 82,746.46; VSP 959.61 eye insurance; S.D. Supplemental Retire. 5,165.00 suppl. retire.; Sanford 117,558.55; Reliance Standard Life Insurance 1,216.42 life ins.; Delta Dental 7,904.98 ins.; Codington County 8,753.43 employee HSA contribution; AFSCME Council 65 535.60 employee union dues; AFLAC 4,036.28.; VSP 404.94 eye insurance; John Hancock 3,515.00 suppl. retire.; AFLAC 1,710.44 ins.; Sioux Valley Credit Union 22,597.42 employee payments; John Hancock Roth 400.00 suppl. retire.; SDRS Supplemental Retirement 5,000.00 Roth retirement; Teamsters Local Union 120 469.00 employee union due; Codington County Deputy Sheriff’s Association 120.00 employee union dues; ReliaBank Dakota 58,213.63 federal withholding; ReliaBank Dakota 79,057.14 social security; ReliaBank Dakota 18,489.18 Medicare; Texas Child Support 106.01; Division of Child Support 375.84; United Way 25.00 employee contributions; Health Equity 8,753.43 employee HSA contribution.
BOND INTEREST PAYMENT
Motion by McElhany, second by Gabel, to approve for payment the new jail bond interest payment to US Bank in the amount of $1,074,812.50; all voted aye; motion carried.
PERSONNEL CHANGES
Motion by McElhany, second by Schweer, to approve the following personnel change: Steve Kjellsen, temporary part-time Administrative Support in Auditor’s Office, Grade 20/Step A, $21.96 per hour, effective 5-20-2026; all voted aye; motion carried.
TRAVEL REQUEST
Motion by Johnson, second by Gabel, to approve the following travel request: Veterans Service Office staff to attend certification and benefits school; all voted aye; motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
A reminder that the Board meeting will be held next week on Thursday, June 4th, 2026, due to the June 2nd, 2026, Primary Election and to canvass the votes. Commissioner Gabel gave an update on the current amount of construction costs and said that the pre-cast panels are up. Commissioner Schweer mentioned the new polling place for Sheridan Township. Auditor Hanten informed them that the new polling place for Sheridan Township residents is the Country Inn and Suites and there will be PSAs to get the word out.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion by Johnson, second by Gabel, to enter executive session, per SDCL 1-25-2 (1) Discussion of personnel issues (SDCL 1-25-2(1)) at 8:59 a.m.; all voted aye; motion carried. The Board returned to regular session at 10:47 a.m. and no action was taken. Human Resource Representative, Natalie Remund, Emergency Management Director, Andrew Delgado, Auditor, Brenda Hanten, and Treasurer, Carol Maloney, were present for executive session.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon conclusion of all business to come before the Board, a motion was made by Gabel, second by Johnson to adjourn at 10:47 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 11, 2026, at the total approximate cost of $134.68 and may be viewed free of charge at www.sdpublicnotices.com and www.watertowncurrent.com.