Pipestone County commissioners approve ambulance radio purchases, interim assessor appointment, jail check system and several local items

Pipestone County commissioners on April 8 approved a package of administrative and equipment items, including purchases from one-time emergency ambulance aid, the appointment of an interim county assessor and a subscription-backed jail check system.

The measures were approved during the board's regular meeting at the Pipestone County Courthouse. Commissioners also accepted a donated Saris public bike repair station and set a May 13 public hearing for a new-home tax matter.

The emergency ambulance aid — a one-time allocation the county received this year — will pay for new radios for emergency vehicles and staff. County staff told the board the aid totaled $154,886.28 and that the department intends to buy nine portable radios (quoted at about $32,000 total, roughly $3,600 each) and three mobile dual-head radios for vehicles (quoted at about $17,000 total, roughly $5,800 each). The board approved the purchases; staff said the county will use any remaining portable units for other departments as appropriate and that reprogramming will be required to match departmental frequencies.

Separately, the board appointed Lisa Braun as the interim county assessor after the current assessor, Chris McChesney, notified county staff she would step down effective April 10, 2025. McChesney indicated she will remain in the office as deputy assessor. County staff referenced guidance from the property tax compliance officer and said the board has up to 90 days from April 10 to fill the position permanently. The motion to appoint Braun passed unanimously.

The board approved purchase and implementation of the Guardian check-recording system for the county jail. The initial equipment and setup quote presented to the board was $4,453; the vendor includes the first year in that figure. Annual subscription service was quoted at $3,995 and would be budgeted in future years, staff said. Jail staff said the system logs well-being checks by requiring a physical scan at checkpoint tags and provides reporting that county officials expect will aid compliance during audits. County staff indicated the first-year cost will be covered with existing jail-related user-fee funds.

Commissioners accepted a donated Saris public bicycle repair station and pump, offered by the family of Robert H. Binders of Edmond, Oklahoma. Donors said they will cover installation and any labor; county staff agreed to coordinate placement near an existing concrete pad on the Casey Jones trail overlooking the veterans memorial.

The board also approved a road striping contract with Vowel Traffic Services (presented in the packet as affiliated with Vowel Paints). A commissioner identified as Carroll moved approval of the striping contract, quoted at $89,433.42; the motion carried.

Other routine business included approval of the consent agenda (minutes, warrants and a treasurer’s report) and scheduling a public hearing for May 13 at 10 a.m. on a new-home application on a vacant lot in the county’s southwest area. The consent agenda and hearing date were approved without dissent.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (minutes, warrants, treasurer’s report): approved. (Motion carried.) - Emergency Ambulance Aid purchases (nine portable radios and three vehicle mobile radios as described): approved. (Motion carried.) - Appointment of Lisa Braun as interim county assessor (effective until vacancy is filled or 90 days): approved. (Motion carried.) - Guardian jail check-recording system (initial setup $4,453; annual subscription $3,995 after first year): approved. (Motion carried.) - Acceptance of donated Saris public bike pump/repair station (donor to install): accepted. (Motion carried.) - Road striping contract with Vowel Traffic Services (quoted at $89,433.42): approved. (Motion carried.) - Public hearing on new-home matter scheduled for May 13 at 10 a.m.: scheduled. (Motion carried.)

The meeting included staff updates on recent hires and committee activity, and county officials said they expect to advertise the permanent assessor position once lease paperwork and other administrative steps are completed. Several items on the agenda were routine and carried on unanimous voice votes; where staff reported additional follow-up or future budget implications (notably the Guardian subscription and long-term radio maintenance), commissioners asked staff to include those costs in future budgeting discussions.

The board adjourned at approximately 10:14 a.m.