Codington County commissioners approve equipment purchases, claims and routine business; department updates presented

The Codington County Board of Commissioners approved several routine items and heard monthly reports from county departments at its March 11 meeting in Watertown.

Votes at a glance: the board approved the purchase of computer equipment for the state's attorney’s office, authorized purchase of a 42‑foot Trail King belly‑dump trailer for the highway department, signed the audit engagement letter, accepted the auditor’s account with the treasurer and approved claims for payment. All motions recorded in the transcript passed with the recorded voice vote of "Aye" and "Motion carries." Specific monetary items reported to the board included the state's attorney computer at $1,710.80 and the selected Trail King belly dump at $65,548.14 (selected due to a discount available through Sourcewell). The total amount of claims presented for payment was reported as $994,852.43; the county’s portion after pass‑through items was reported in the packet as approximately $441,007.37.

Department reports: - 4‑H: Jody reported on recent activity including the Home Builders Show lunch counter, a full sewing workshop, a spaghetti feed fundraiser for 4‑H shooting sports on March 16 (weather permitting) and an April regional babysitting clinic and an April state shoot in Fort Pierre. - Director of Equalization: Shauna said tax assessment notices were sent in early March and local boards will begin meetings next week; county consolidated board sessions are scheduled for April 8 (1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.). She said she is watching pending state legislation that could affect property assessments and mill levies. - Community Services: Sarah Faust reviewed client numbers and staffing adjustments and described community initiatives under Codington Connects, including an early‑learner initiative, childcare working groups (business engagement, capacity development and marketing) and a recent Transition to Success training for 19 local providers aimed at addressing poverty with an evidence‑based model. - Auditor: Brenda reported work on the annual report, cooperation with state auditors onsite and progress implementing a new timekeeping system (TimeClock Plus), with a possible initial rollout in April.

Selected approved actions (motions recorded in meeting minutes): - Computer for the state's attorney's office: motion by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner Gable; total price $1,710.80; approved. - Belly dump trailer (highway): motion by Commissioner Gable, second by Commissioner Schwere; accepted low quote from Butler Manufacturing/Trail King at $65,548.14 (discount via Sourcewell); approved. - Audit engagement letter: motion by Commissioner Gable, second by Commissioner Johnson; authorized chair and auditor to sign; approved. - Auditor’s account with treasurer and register of deeds fees noted: motion by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner Gable; approved. Auditor reported custodial funds total of $28,200,531 and register of deeds fees for February of $35,003.62. - Claims for payment: motion by Commissioner Gable, second by Commissioner Schwere; packet reported total claims of $994,852.43 with county claims shown as approximately $441,007.37; approved. - Personnel/training expense: motion by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner Schwere; approved an extension for a 4‑H fair entry/training reimbursement. - Executive session: motion by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner Gable to enter executive session for contractual matters; approved.

Several routine public notices and calendar items were announced, including a Weed and Townships annual meeting on March 13 at 6:00 p.m., and an LEPC meeting taking place that day at noon.

The board did not take action on the jail design update (presentations were informational). The meeting adjourned to executive session on contractual matters at the end of the public agenda.