[{"_1":2,"_120":-5,"_121":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"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","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98,108],{"_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,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5980281,"mediaKeyId","5855649-2bd180be0875936b8997a9a8bcba378c","parentId",5855649,"title","Fire chiefs ask commissioners to support procurement for replacement cascade breathing-air system","audioSeconds",152,"startMs",8790000,"endMs",8942000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5855649-2bd180be0875936b8997a9a8bcba378c&start=8790&end=8942","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5855649-2bd180be0875936b8997a9a8bcba378c/thumbnail_8790000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5980281/Pennington-County/South-Dakota/Fire-chiefs-ask-commissioners-to-support-procurement-for-replacement-cascade-breathing-air-system","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980281-0800b8717d059eb1212743ca968f2dbf/orig.mp4?Expires=1775059464&Signature=l8xb5VehUajoxD3ZLTY-wclRf0qXla~rk1qIhpXzK8gRlLjvHHnBD~~WhH77XTVCMmIp9H7CD4ryd-YUTOF4cyr0AMSKeq-wpcqBD70DMB-eHtPVF9OtUPIa5~CvpGyM8E44oxZqpEUbxFlizfO83BKNwuYk-UPUSmmR89PeBBaFFDM~z9-qtL6awhOaMT96agEZjvD3joVTizRC~Uundjqjznm0SxnoONuqCnBEH5NJzKhrLe7eS4RPEo43o940sFZS3THn53CbuDFAJMAY8xJzezASETXlmo41-9CbnKr4CiPDYoly7Q0StZpvMFbUtgvHUcwsORbJQ8bGXj0ivA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pennington County, SD","date","2025-09-17T15:27:43Z","article","Fire chiefs and volunteer fire representatives asked Pennington County commissioners Sept. 16 to authorize a request for proposals to replace an aging cascade breathing-air fill system that supports firefighters' self-contained breathing apparatus bottles and dive-rescue operations.
Volunteer-run cascade systems are used across rural departments in the county; the current trailer-mounted unit was described as increasingly maintenance-intensive and unsafe to tow in winter weather. Chiefs recommended a chassis-mounted system that county staff described as more reliable and easier to mobilize and maintain.
The county’s fire administrator told the board the project would likely be procured through an RFP, with a multi-year purchase plan because chassis lead times can be long. Staff estimated a three-payment plan (e.g., initial chassis reserve, portion of build, final payment) beginning in 2026 and additional budget requests in 2027; commissioners asked staff to include the item in next year’s budget process.
The board voted to support issuing the RFP and to place an estimated 2026 chassis payment in the 2026 budget request, subject to final RFP results and formal budget approval. Commissioners emphasized the county’s role in supporting volunteer departments and asked staff to return with a delivery and funding timeline when proposals arrive.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","9-16-2025 Pennington County Board of Commissioners Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Fire service leaders told commissioners they will issue a request for proposals for a new cascade breathing-air system and asked for county support to budget chassis payments across three years; commissioners endorsed seeking RFPs and earmarked budget planning for 2026–2027.","taxTitle","Pennington County, South Dakota","taxId",2745,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5980286,"Residents urge Pennington County to return to hand counts; commissioners say election equipment choices follow state rules",604,1726000,2330000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5855649-2bd180be0875936b8997a9a8bcba378c&start=1726&end=2330","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5855649-2bd180be0875936b8997a9a8bcba378c/thumbnail_1726000.jpg","/articles/5980286/Pennington-County/South-Dakota/Residents-urge-Pennington-County-to-return-to-hand-counts-commissioners-say-election-equipment-choices-follow-state-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980286-2f9c6a8dcd3bd8c35233da9c85180bd8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775059464&Signature=FcJLtat7mVl2Npag0VGwUHqtl8EB-j2IKsNfLhFdRYwRMj4wjoaxDkioXlkrH4WyvcU94z4x875pdnYoid846DOqJU6yoWBRiP-FEh0nvtBrHBZTX~l6pqKjh7FPHWmBqWamzEjKyLPTqN5KqlJ1pbnNT2ftXYwLP4e0CtG28ZCDvRTNigQfNjsjYBegdL~GJJWszjWJpwTEW10g1M9p8vw~u71KyMymEqdH~dUuTlY6T0qLbh9Wo19122-kI-iMsm3b7qDtbfdjLOpAqyJBBkabUwd9bihII2zmzOmEvBfxZw63a8Et4TRr8azJBW7N0j-H3OWkfThybheYiRTF9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Sept. 16 Pennington County Commission meeting a string of public commentators urged the county to stop using electronic tabulation equipment and return to hand counting of ballots, citing cost, transparency and security concerns.
Speakers presented comparisons of per-ballot costs and argued the county could save money by hand counting precincts instead of buying and maintaining tabulators; several cited state policy and recent national commentary to support their position. Commenters said they had provided commissioners with technical reports and expert testimony and asked the commission to “go back to basics.”
Commissioners and attendees responded with procedural and legal clarifications: speakers referenced South Dakota codified statute 12-17-B-3 (county authority on election equipment) and county staff noted that tabulating machines used in the county must comply with federal requirements for cast vote records when applicable, and the secretary of state’s guidance on images and logs affects how the county can publish certain machine-generated records. County staff and commissioners suggested that changes to what equipment the county uses would require analysis of compliance, cost and logistics and perhaps coordination with other counties and the state.
The public-comment exchange did not generate formal board action; commissioners asked staff to continue to review the county’s election procedures and laws and to provide follow-up information at a future meeting.
","Multiple speakers during public comment urged the commission to abandon electronic tabulators and return to hand counts, citing costs and security concerns; commissioners and staff described state statutory requirements and existing local options.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5980291,"Commissioners accept legislative audit report after adding note about payroll irregularity",0,19018000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5855649-2bd180be0875936b8997a9a8bcba378c&start=19018&end=19018","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5855649-2bd180be0875936b8997a9a8bcba378c/thumbnail_19018000.jpg","/articles/5980291/Pennington-County/South-Dakota/Commissioners-accept-legislative-audit-report-after-adding-note-about-payroll-irregularity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980291-f18bbe87a32d349ef1b36f8b64756b14/orig.mp4?Expires=1775059464&Signature=NXmeCOPZx5mm2F3FB~PKFkzLNi5OTerkyCwgtk7iX-LOZBkBcELjdYupsPgGjuCsrOtfrjiVilrOTiHdXyLyC5wkqzyyY1q1dCq0Jx6NOt2JIxCS3vFqEhKvz0WCyCxaoIdEEUCPGJlQh98XzLtNyACKKPc98y-T~5EiJV56lD2Hz2Qz6vEPrca4unIUsFcUICk6LBQu8eNwiU7lwEQ~UMaI250FXFtHXZOIhMaTdfVRviESIGaLO1ubgDXHJyxVDuXiEH3SI5BpvNj80tc-SLT5Ev25qkhZZmQ3YEDQ4kiEERo~MHHfXeSyrV-iOZeX~hNvRjSRsJwiWy8Vx7zYxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pennington County commissioners voted Sept. 16 to accept the South Dakota Legislative Audit report for the county with an additional paragraph attached that records concerns raised by the chair about internal controls surrounding payroll time-of-service payments.
The audit presentation by Bruce Hintz was described by staff as a clean audit with observations. During debate several commissioners pressed for an explicit record noting a reported irregularity — time-of-service payments for elected officials that county staff and the county state's attorney had previously flagged.
One commissioner moved to sign the auditor's report but add an attached memo stating the chairman had reported concerns about payroll/time-of-service internal controls. The motion received a 3–2 vote; supporters said the note preserved a record of commissioners’ concerns without asserting wrongdoing, while opponents said the auditor had already issued his report and that the commission should not be used to make allegations.
Separately earlier in the meeting, Commissioner Drews had asked staff to review video for a previous meeting where minutes contained contradictory vote tallies for a conditional use permit; staff agreed to verify the record and the board voted to strike an incorrect “unanimous” notation from those minutes.
What’s next: staff will append the requested memo to the audit report records and will verify the minutes discrepancy by reviewing recorded video, then return corrected minutes for formal approval at a subsequent meeting.
","After a contentious exchange, Pennington County commissioners approved signing the state legislative auditors' report but directed staff to add a paragraph noting the chair had reported concerns about internal controls related to payroll time-of-service payments.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":90,"_43":101,"_45":101,"_47":102,"_49":103,"_51":104,"_53":105,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":106,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":107,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5980295,"Pennington County dissolves health-care trust board, moves benefit decisions to HR and commissioners",23460000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5855649-2bd180be0875936b8997a9a8bcba378c&start=23460&end=23460","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5855649-2bd180be0875936b8997a9a8bcba378c/thumbnail_23460000.jpg","/articles/5980295/Pennington-County/South-Dakota/Pennington-County-dissolves-health-care-trust-board-moves-benefit-decisions-to-HR-and-commissioners","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980295-86105c690a455fb85b86c0ba69be7323/orig.mp4?Expires=1775059464&Signature=W4kAoh0gvx4XxZZJSvrELQz29AvPY1GsKa4Aw1xm5n01hGKBFiJKm4cAbCJLJ99rAXS9xNes-jrhM0GyTuohIB4BwnL8dhvr1qpc7qGLNiNv0E488VB1JV~EMJR-HDvN88030nCjhF36Y6i7uvBTahrmbXq6-eq7hRMr2VRhGwdTcr8Z1si6-q11EHH2DpyODcBvyJodIxkgXYH0XqJ17hyp4BV9X9gEyWUORWRhq1SCRXU45HxFtLfdYIVglgMXvvpce21-g9EIIZMRYWT3bu8~NBx633szC2exfoKjhb5II-jSxOcundJqL4PlMgHQHXPyZ1kF6M6Ll9ZYT8fjTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pennington County commissioners voted Sept. 16 to dissolve the county employee health-care trust board and to transfer management of the county health plan to the Human Resources director with the final authority to set plan design and funding residing with the full Board of Commissioners.
The board also directed the county auditor to rename the existing 603 health-care trust fund to the “self-insurance fund” and to use the funds solely for employer health-care plan purposes. Commissioners said the change is intended to centralize oversight, improve transparency and bring plan-design decisions and budget impacts to the elected body that approves county spending.
The action followed months of deliberation and a contentious exchange at the meeting. Supporters of the change argued the current trust structure (created in 1992 and previously managed by a separate employee-elected board) lacked modern administrative controls and produced underfunding and budgeting unpredictability. They said placing plan administration with HR — a single point of responsibility backed by an outside broker (Wellmark) — would provide consistent actuarial analysis and clearer budget impacts before the board made funding decisions.
Opponents warned the change would remove an employee voice and concentrate authority over pay and benefits in the elected commission and HR director. Pennington County State's Attorney Laura Retzel told the board the revision as drafted risked giving the HR director veto power over requests commissioners or department heads bring forward; she urged clearer language that would keep HR in an advisory and administrative role but preserve the board’s authority to hear and decide compensation matters.
The board adopted a sequence of motions: it approved language dissolving the trust, instructed staff to transfer fund assets to a consolidated self-insurance fund for exclusive use by county employee benefits, and directed HR to administer the plan while presenting proposed plan designs and funding levels to the Board of Commissioners for approval. The motions passed by a 4–1 vote.
Commissioners also approved language directing that plan changes be prepared with HR and vendor (Wellmark) input, that department heads and employee representatives be consulted, and that final funding choices remain the board’s responsibility. The board asked staff to prepare a transition checklist with roles, timing and reporting requirements for the next meeting.
What’s next: staff will prepare the administrative steps to implement the transition, including renaming the existing fund account, transferring balances, and documenting the reporting and decision timeline. HR will work with Wellmark to present plan options and estimated county budget impacts to the Board of Commissioners in coming weeks.
","After months of debate, commissioners voted to terminate the county’s health-care trust board, transfer plan-management duties to Human Resources with final plan and funding approval by the Board of Commissioners, and rename the trust fund to self-insurance fund.",{"_33":109,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":110,"_41":111,"_43":112,"_45":113,"_47":114,"_49":115,"_51":116,"_53":117,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":118,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":119,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5980300,"Pennington County commissioners approve $304,004 design-assist amendment as jail expansion debate continues",367,4178000,4545000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5855649-2bd180be0875936b8997a9a8bcba378c&start=4178&end=4545","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5855649-2bd180be0875936b8997a9a8bcba378c/thumbnail_4178000.jpg","/articles/5980300/Pennington-County/South-Dakota/Pennington-County-commissioners-approve-304004-design-assist-amendment-as-jail-expansion-debate-continues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980300-d527db55007ad0246f5d2f575e12987a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775059464&Signature=mQz8tsLM3cp01J0t6hqL0Dypjo0XWI6jdAsFK6G1VrodcBpkbl3OX-fq-E1wumtjBtyFi50yJSiLyP4-rbFILjjccytpsg-57PlwMkqOU86AY6r9Z0B1sDMQ3fvMI9OUYghnicuw8TppHTP7DlHswqiwew5QvWdZU05Nt0NuCzA43-6UkZoe32~jlzb42h9UEOBpJszqD8Sonh04~0zvzeTy218u9IEndUqB83xqJUqBHpnQGSt3fUITKanT7C~FSyY-0P2JdfIHP8QBvifuLsAXomRv4qIiIUMFg0xrCPo0XKDG1P7bcuRzlwOmL-tVjij43DLWCFQfGFhoMuK4zA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pennington County commissioners voted Sept. 16 to approve a $304,004.69 guaranteed-maximum-price amendment with Skoll Construction Services for additional preconstruction and design-assist services tied to the proposed jail expansion.
The action funds work the county says is necessary to produce 100% construction documents and complete design-assist tasks so the project can advance to a permitted build phase. Commissioners approved the amendment after a divisive discussion about the broader project cost, bonding approach and whether the county should move forward now or refine plans and funding.
The approved amendment covers construction management-at-risk preconstruction and design-assist fees Skoll says were not included in its original estimate for earlier, smaller-scope designs. The project as presented to the board includes infrastructure and remodel work on the 1989 jail and annex (about $30–35 million) plus a new tower option (Option B: ~296 beds) with a total project cost that county staff estimated at roughly $122 to $126 million depending on final scope.
Pennington County Buildings and Grounds director Davis Purcell told commissioners the new tower and infrastructure work together would require roughly 40 months of construction for the tower and additional time to complete the infrastructure and inmate moves. Tom Grama of Colliers joined staff in explaining the bond scenarios presented to the board: a 30-year bond payment for Option B that would add roughly $6.48 million per year in debt service and increase the county levy by about $0.41 per $1,000 of assessed value (about $124 per year on a $300,000 home). Option C (with shelled floors added) raised the projected levy impact to about $0.45 per $1,000.
Commissioners and staff walked through financing options, including general obligation bonds (which require a public vote) and lease-purchase (limited-tax) bonds that the county has used in past capital projects. Bond counsel explained general obligation bonds are unlimited-tax obligations, while lease-purchase instruments are limited-tax up to statutory limits and (under state rules and recent court uncertainty) have been interpreted to require either a 4-1 county vote or be subject to potential referral by petition. Commissioners asked about interest-rate assumptions; staff summarized current market yields near 4.7–4.9% for the sample long-term bonds used in the analysis.
Several commissioners and the sheriff emphasized the project addresses an urgent infrastructure need — the county has operated at or above its facility capacity for years, staff said — and the county risks losing federal inmate revenue if infrastructure work displaces beds. Opponents urged more time for planning and clearer answers about long-term funding and whether the community should be asked to vote on a general obligation bond.
Commissioner Jerry Durr (chair) moved to authorize the GMP amendment; the motion was seconded and carried. Separately, commissioners later approved a draft financing worksheet and asked staff to prepare clearer, updated budget impacts and contingency scenarios for a follow-up special meeting.
County staff recommended the board use the next few weeks to refine the budget, confirm potential partner contributions, and return with a single recommended financing strategy and a more detailed timeline for construction so the board and public can evaluate how the county would pay debt service and how potential partner participation (city, neighboring counties, federal reimbursement for federal inmates) would reduce levy impacts.
The project drew substantial commissioner comment: some called for immediate action to avoid escalating construction costs, while others urged a public vote or additional hearings before asking taxpayers to pay higher levies. The board scheduled a special budget meeting Sept. 19 to continue discussion and to ask staff for a clarified list of questions and answers before taking further votes.
What’s next: staff will refine cost estimates, run bond sizing and levy-impact options, and return to the board with updated financing scenarios and a clear list of policy decisions the commission must make before any bond authorization or public vote.
","Commissioners approved a $304,004 guaranteed-maximum-price amendment for preconstruction and design-assist work on a proposed jail tower, but long-running disagreement over project scope, funding and timing left major decisions about bonding and capacity unresolved.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Fire chiefs ask commissioners to support procurement for replacement cascade breathing-air system

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Commissioners accept legislative audit report after adding note about payroll irregularity

Pennington County dissolves health-care trust board, moves benefit decisions to HR and commissioners

Pennington County commissioners approve $304,004 design-assist amendment as jail expansion debate continues