[{"_1":2,"_121":-5,"_122":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,74,86,97,109],{"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43,"_44":45,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6246754,"mediaKeyId","3215936-9478b8dd47db2304b791b570b3fd305d","parentId",3215936,"title","Pennington County treasurer says 605Drive conversion, staffing and phone queuing drive delays; county planning technology fixes","audioSeconds",4127,"startMs",2473000,"endMs",6600000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3215936-9478b8dd47db2304b791b570b3fd305d&start=2473&end=6600","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3215936-9478b8dd47db2304b791b570b3fd305d/thumbnail_2473000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6246754/Pennington-County/South-Dakota/Pennington-County-treasurer-says-605Drive-conversion-staffing-and-phone-queuing-drive-delays-county-planning-technology-fixes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246754-ae1c42b3d0f2dd022f222ec6a9f2c547/orig.mp4?Expires=1770035415&Signature=E6dwWYyBPrTcnVkELYmYd2jssNQB3zvSsZ8Rgebau2A9DT42MR1Hskk7CdZtI411B7xtXic~JeUr2fJfOjSm99IPVxpPgZxoWxC7IHf-67onYGaCPGfyR1Syiq-hfkbUmpgBf3Qjz9A7vMjks9J-eLx-SCIjBE8HTHdkh70egzi5Kz3N3~dRA--uKNoMgmIXFTbOmp2Eo~NqHLbmNOGAw9mxqAMKl5pQlbKJD1Uehv3fijqBhzL6mWfY5OeXnK4xSvVwOQJJN4lMUd2MgN~DgHDT8ZV-rSlNDdmK3lrgh69XlmsCJtKU48gNjRWKVHlUz4SLS0yaPzwH0W~lLIH9AQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pennington County, SD","date","2025-05-07T17:02:22Z","article","Pennington County Treasurer Annette Brant told the Board of County Commissioners on May 6 that a recent statewide motor-vehicle software conversion (605Drive) has created record- and workflow issues that are lengthening title-transfer processing times and mail turnaround, and producing long phone queues that sometimes disconnect callers.

Brant said the county’s previous system used a barcode linked to driver license records; the new platform changed record formats and some data did not migrate cleanly. As a result, some title records must be corrected with state assistance. She said counties share limited state support time and that at one point Pennington County was in a long support queue. Brant also described three sources of customer delay she said staff see most often: the phone/queuing system, the volume of seasonal transactions and unresolved data conversions. \"We were a hundred and ninety-fourth in line\" for state support on a critical issue, she told the commissioners.

Planned fixes and budget implications: Brant described near-term steps: (1) buying a new phone system with better queuing and call-flow options (target rollout in June), (2) education for customers and pamphlets and web-based tutorials to increase online and kiosk use, (3) adding a self-service terminal in the new county concourse and (4) recruiting to fill open treasurer positions (the office budgeted 26 full‑time positions and currently had 20 filled). She said the county and state are negotiating lower credit‑card fees for online property-tax payments and added an e-check option that has doubled online usage. The treasurer’s office proposed modernizing lobby layout and moving one or more kiosks; she warned that additional kiosks would require county purchase and maintenance costs and that two existing kiosks sit in state-controlled facilities.

Why it matters: Brant and commissioners said the issues are visible to taxpayers who rely on motor-vehicle and tax services and that the problems are partly driven by external state system changes. Commissioners asked for a follow-up presentation that produces timing and estimated costs for phone and kiosk changes and a staff plan for recruitment and for handling unresolved 605Drive records.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","5-6-2025 Pennington County Board of Commissioners Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The county treasurer told commissioners a statewide motor-vehicle system conversion (\"605Drive\"), incomplete record migration and limited state support are causing slower title turnovers, longer mail processing and dropped phone calls; the office outlined fixes and staffing needs ahead of a move to a remodeled concourse.","taxTitle","Pennington County, South Dakota","taxId",2745,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":75,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":76,"_40":77,"_42":78,"_44":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6246748,"Commissioners direct new budgeting approach: personnel flat in provisional budgets, options for COLA/steps to be costed",940,6680000,7620000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3215936-9478b8dd47db2304b791b570b3fd305d&start=6680&end=7620","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3215936-9478b8dd47db2304b791b570b3fd305d/thumbnail_6680000.jpg","/articles/6246748/Pennington-County/South-Dakota/Commissioners-direct-new-budgeting-approach-personnel-flat-in-provisional-budgets-options-for-COLAsteps-to-be-costed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246748-4b0cf179d2a7c45b09f425e38300701e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770035415&Signature=b-6Tpn9BL1SV3ls3SSah0hCsfhy5KjPXkXta4cgM4-VH9-BhtVEfsau0ffY6cCb2zXbYYoJWUwoazeNEIMyaMldtolt1~MQgw5Ys8-TgdpKv01w8Nu5opvqigxKRoy3ZyTvKZ4VaVxPyD5jwIQVZXym7xsOwJV39O5gm-wow82FlLN40anY-OT19EG3HRbqLbNaH4YIRgibhB8DawvFc~CR386DQCV~BTLg24kIXTFwg-UQuADMDToYWAmyAd4PNOkzYvvDY1jZyGRfwdmLO~0BHPyElah8GxuyGHOaQ6Wir1-dQlzmdrAaGjRv8S0VRAghrifw2xwBhOTrYCQzUuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of County Commissioners on May 6 discussed guidance for the 2026 budget cycle and directed county staff to produce a multi-part budgeting package that isolates personnel scenarios from departmental base budget submissions.

Commissioners said departments should prepare their normal provisional budgets for 2026 but keep personnel lines flat at 2025 levels except for known, pre-identified anomalies (for example retirements that trigger payouts). The commission requested the commission office — with assistance from the auditor and HR — to provide separate cost calculations showing the county-wide fiscal impact for these personnel options: (a) 1%, 2% and 3% cost‑of‑living increases (COLA), and (b) the budget impact of step increases on the county wage scale. Commissioners also asked departments to submit any new FTE requests or program expansions as separate line items so elected leaders can evaluate them independently.

Why it matters: Commissioners said they want a transparent, data-driven process that lets the board compare the cost of personnel changes to capital and operating requests and to longer-range projects such as jail planning or infrastructure commitments. Several commissioners also asked that contract and memorandum-of-understanding inventories be maintained centrally so the board and staff can track expirations and budget dependencies.

Next steps: The commission office and auditor will collaborate to provide the requested personnel-cost scenarios and a consolidated list of county agreements for commissioners to review. The board also instructed staff to bring proposed phone/kiosk costs for the treasurer’s office and the $50,000 Western Dakota contribution request into the 2026 budget discussion. Commissioners said they expect regular updates during the budget season.","The Board of County Commissioners directed county departments to prepare 2026 provisional budgets with personnel costs held flat at 2025 levels (except known payouts), and asked staff to return separate cost scenarios for 1–3% COLA options and step increases so the board can weigh personnel choices against capital and program priorities.",{"_32":87,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":88,"_40":89,"_42":90,"_44":90,"_46":91,"_48":92,"_50":93,"_52":94,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":95,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":96,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6246743,"Resident urges stricter inspections and contractor accountability after construction defects; planning staff to study inspection options",0,4490000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3215936-9478b8dd47db2304b791b570b3fd305d&start=4490&end=4490","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3215936-9478b8dd47db2304b791b570b3fd305d/thumbnail_4490000.jpg","/articles/6246743/Pennington-County/South-Dakota/Resident-urges-stricter-inspections-and-contractor-accountability-after-construction-defects-planning-staff-to-study-inspection-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246743-b06fea99fabde7777075884c2cc3ab62/orig.mp4?Expires=1770035415&Signature=dI5HhdFlTJ9i5ncmjf7zD8uPZ8vhMgYMIlT2Alyu7mOt9noVxfjcEa8fy1j4QHgDxq~ZIkdUQNTfzsBPYRXkydmkL1GlqTDGXPaUdcPKaBNm-IOdqXMKW~V~niKUBdaLd1U03~LYKV9RzEHXivq-bifQSHbDn5xuwdbjaN1klsPgEVoR5KgavzE6GQfGswwFim-4vS2~m1i11wqBGwvDvGNezY0EoLfg8-lS5eod5KzvYbRXNvA3-DOL5WP8Bq64YXFlVmnxyTtsVh5xr1j7Y4hvYwZByYTBE1h8bTb3yx68cnymgeUkI-X0L1u2guTF1izBy5EVXlrz6JkIhlIFLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A homeowner who built a house in 2020–2021 told the Board of County Commissioners on May 6 that multiple construction defects and what he described as substandard practices by the builder have left him pursuing litigation and repeated repairs.

Chase Geppert described water intrusion, siding and flashing failures, exposed sheathing and other concerns. He said many of the defects were covered after repeated repairs but that some problems — including recurring shingle failures and attic moisture — persist. Geppert and other speakers asked for stronger county oversight of single-family construction and clearer enforcement tools against contractors who repeatedly deliver poor workmanship.

Planning staff response and board direction: Assistant planning director Jason Dennison and building official David Green said current county practice for newly permitted single‑family homes typically includes site/setback checks and a final inspection plus state-conducted electrical and plumbing inspections; the county does not routinely perform multiple staged inspections (foundation, framing, external wrap) for every single‑family permit. Dennison said staff will research options including requiring third‑party inspections at key stages (for example before exterior coverings are installed) and revising the contractor licensing process to require a county hearing for license revocation in repeated‑violation cases. The board directed Planning to return with options that would not necessarily mandate the county add large inspection staff but could use licensed third-party inspectors or new permit conditions to provide higher assurance that critical work is inspected before it is concealed.

Why it matters: Commissioners said they want a process that protects purchasers of new homes, reduces downstream county costs from corrective work and preserves public confidence in local permitting. Planning staff will prepare draft language and cost/implementation options for the board to review.","A homeowner told commissioners his newly built house has multiple construction defects; the board asked Planning staff to research stronger building-inspection requirements for single-family construction, including third-party inspections and a process for revoking contractor licenses.",{"_32":98,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":99,"_40":100,"_42":101,"_44":102,"_46":103,"_48":104,"_50":105,"_52":106,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":107,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":108,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6246759,"Western Dakota Regional Water System asks Pennington County to continue backing feasibility work as drought tightens",1144,2280000,3424000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3215936-9478b8dd47db2304b791b570b3fd305d&start=2280&end=3424","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3215936-9478b8dd47db2304b791b570b3fd305d/thumbnail_2280000.jpg","/articles/6246759/Pennington-County/South-Dakota/Western-Dakota-Regional-Water-System-asks-Pennington-County-to-continue-backing-feasibility-work-as-drought-tightens","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246759-c551a5a14b7bc056efe1d5354fafef5d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770035415&Signature=WpChk~xRR6u7XxRAGwr8MO1CfmiJ3Z3PUOFQbjA1lw05xlaDYNbISriTzDvibUbCU2~9OgbulGJzkXGxX5xEzsB80HlSWQELPNN6F5Cuzz8Ani3kujRJ2vQkk3T72vHxqQdCkoC9nUYLU0UhFyNqTiKz0FYDu14IDEiYJo9uWbFE3e-x24vBy4vbG6j8E9UtDd~HUkueSC35ER3JmqVjmS1WaCbPkf1R7KvPqnUnSS6pRdKLGEgnLodptDTTI3H4Pp3II07qIa1V3inTDf0yypDG-brh4C3uFZoXwWhMWJeVOambJrHClA5WeRPTTeY4IaLoyZryyLvknPxaikln0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The executive director of Western Dakota Regional Water System asked the Pennington County Board of Commissioners on May 6 to continue county support for a regional project to bring new long-term water supplies to western South Dakota.

Kristen Conzett, the organization’s executive director, said a 2023 study by the South Dakota School of Mines and other technical work showed the region will face water shortfalls under extended drought and projected growth, and that the group is ready to pursue a federal feasibility study through the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Conzett said Western Dakota proposes a large pipeline from a Missouri River intake toward the Rapid City metropolitan area and that the organization has secured roughly $12.8 million in planning- and readiness-phase funding from members and grants. \"We are in the starting gates and ready to go,\" Conzett said. She described the Bureau of Reclamation feasibility study as required to determine technical, economic and environmental qualifications for federal investment.

Why it matters: Conzett noted Pactola Reservoir has moved to \"concerned\" status and that Rapid City and parts of Pennington County have entered water-use restrictions. Western Dakota representatives told commissioners the region’s population growth plus extended drought increases the region’s long-term water needs; the five-county canvass showed Pennington County accounts for 63.6% of the five-county region’s population. Conzett said the group is asking member governments to consider a $50,000 contribution for 2026 as part of continued readiness and to keep work on track for a feasibility study application.

Board response and next steps: Commissioners praised the organization’s five-year preparation, including technical work with the U.S. Geological Survey and several engineering firms; several commissioners said they supported continuing county participation and asked staff to include a 2026 contribution in the county’s budget process. Conzett said Western Dakota is working with Congressional delegation staff to secure authorization and a Bureau of Reclamation study allocation; she said the Bureau will only act once Congress authorizes or appropriates a study and that the project team has already prepared materials to speed evaluation once the Bureau begins work.","Western Dakota Regional Water System told county commissioners it is ready for a federal feasibility study and asked Pennington County to continue support, including a proposed $50,000 contribution for 2026 to maintain regional planning and finish pre-feasibility work.",{"_32":110,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":111,"_40":112,"_42":113,"_44":114,"_46":115,"_48":116,"_50":117,"_52":118,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":119,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":120,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6246764,"Pennington County Housing Authority seeks support to demolish 1970s Black Fox buildings, convert to vouchers and new development",539,806000,1345000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3215936-9478b8dd47db2304b791b570b3fd305d&start=806&end=1345","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3215936-9478b8dd47db2304b791b570b3fd305d/thumbnail_806000.jpg","/articles/6246764/Pennington-County/South-Dakota/Pennington-County-Housing-Authority-seeks-support-to-demolish-1970s-Black-Fox-buildings-convert-to-vouchers-and-new-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246764-269dd82f2299af0532de8c78452cc61d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770035415&Signature=H0zN6aY73lk-gpgYDBKHSF7cuDhby75J3Np6pVEiC4dZXc3NW55Qfp4i3HRm6tYihjHvUGbZKMzLN-ZzoCbl2msN7ugPXT3j1Jy79K9s-P3MIOgul7fYu1PQlt0w5AoWaGQkbfN~IavHELn-RO7Vl~6Jrv0Otw41KVZ7~AwjTYDAwNDArWI9WUj-z6tH~eBvFxj6QAx5Q2n4lk8s7vCnNBGgueoKUWnp8zCQlRDEr-MYGgjLzhFIpsUZbGrnd62OFVcSkJ~BYozLl1WOxmPOOkwm7~bn6Gy56cN2cUq2yD2RGg0XAS3nWnUz~m9eRw9X~ehFV7tdA3TQnlibFTh02w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pennington County Housing and Redevelopment Authority asked the Board of County Commissioners on May 6 for a letter of support to demolish three aging residential buildings on Black Fox Drive and pursue redevelopment and voucher conversions.

The request came from Brian Aukbach, CEO of the Authority, who said the property — originally developed in the mid-1970s for residents with developmental disabilities — consists of dorm-style buildings with shared kitchens and bathrooms that are no longer marketable. Aukbach said Black Hills Works is vacating the site and the Authority wants permission to demolish the buildings and later redevelop the parcel. \"Our plan is ... demolishing those buildings, and then there would be, at some point, a redevelopment plan put together on that property,\" Aukbach said. He told the commission the federal government is moving away from funding brick-and-mortar public housing toward tenant-based Section 8 vouchers and that if the Authority demolishes the units the federal program would provide Section 8 vouchers to replace the lost unit-based assistance.

Why it matters: Aukbach said the Authority has been transitioning public housing to voucher-based assistance and has increased usage of vouchers, serving roughly 100 more families in two years. He told the board the Authority sees demolition plus redevelopment as a way to modernize housing options and facilitate private-market development. Commissioners asked about rental income and voucher values; Aukbach said the Authority previously averaged about $700 per unit monthly on the older buildings and estimated a typical two-bedroom voucher payment standard would be roughly $1,200 in the local market. The board voted to approve the requested letter of support for the Housing Authority to pursue the demolition and redevelopment steps and to forward the matter for usual follow-up.

Board action: A motion to approve a letter of support for Pennington County Housing and Redevelopment Authority was made, seconded and passed by the commission. The record shows the commission also discussed the Authority’s management assumption for a Keystone property and HUD-VASH voucher utilization; Aukbach said the Authority has 149 VASH (Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing) vouchers allocated and estimated roughly 105 were in use locally.","The Pennington County Housing and Redevelopment Authority asked the Board of County Commissioners for a letter of support to demolish three aging buildings on Black Fox Drive, convert project-based public housing to tenant-based Section 8 vouchers and pursue a redevelopment that could add more units under city code.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Pennington County treasurer says 605Drive conversion, staffing and phone queuing drive delays; county planning technology fixes

Commissioners direct new budgeting approach: personnel flat in provisional budgets, options for COLA/steps to be costed

Resident urges stricter inspections and contractor accountability after construction defects; planning staff to study inspection options

Western Dakota Regional Water System asks Pennington County to continue backing feasibility work as drought tightens

Pennington County Housing Authority seeks support to demolish 1970s Black Fox buildings, convert to vouchers and new development