Brookings County Commission approves routine claims, resolutions, contracts and personnel actions

Brookings County commissioners on Tuesday approved a slate of routine and substantive items including claims, several resolutions, intergovernmental inmate‑housing contracts, adoption of the county detention‑center policy manual and a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) payment for a behavioral health construction project.

The board approved the consent agenda (minutes, travel and education, personnel actions, cellular authorization and the human services report) and accepted routine finance and department reports. Commissioners then considered and approved a series of separately noticed items.

Formal approvals and notable votes recorded at the meeting included:

- Adoption (first reading, title only) of Ordinance 2025‑01 to amend the Brookings County Zoning Ordinance (second reading set for Feb. 4).

- Resolution 25‑05: approval of a joint cooperative agreement establishing a Joint Powers Board for the Brookings City‑County Government Center (passed by roll call).

- Resolution 25‑06: setting weight‑limit enforcement on Brookings County highways; county staff noted the posted spring load limits and cooperation with neighboring counties for consistent enforcement (passed by roll call).

- Resolution 25‑07: approval of a county bridge‑inspection program to contract with South Dakota DOT retainer services; the county will continue annual inspections and recommended retaining Banner & Associates (passed by roll call).

- Resolution 25‑08: approval of a plat for Lots 29 and 30, Turtle Bay (planning commission had unanimously recommended approval) (passed by roll call).

- Abatement 25‑01: approved an abatement application for a derelict mobile home (amount $122.33) (passed by roll call).

- Agreement 25‑05: a right‑of‑way occupancy application from Brookings Municipal Utilities to install fiber optic cable to a new BMU wellhead near Aurora (passed by voice vote/roll call).

- Multiple inmate housing contracts for the Brookings County Detention Center: the commission approved contracts with Duo County, Hamlin County and Kingsbury County; the day rate for contract towns was increased from $95 to $105 for one contract (all passed by roll call).

- Adoption of the Brookings County Detention Center Policy and Procedure Manual (commissioners noted state statute SDCL 24‑11‑23 places jail operation responsibility with the county; manual includes 11 statutory items plus additional policies) (passed by roll call).

- Approval of CDBG payment request no. 3 in the amount of $217,984.84 for the Brookings Behavioral Health and Wellness construction project (county is conduit for the award; funds will be disbursed to the nonprofit/contractor upon receipt) (passed by roll call).

- Purchase order/proposal 13923: approved Midwest Petroleum Equipment proposal for $19,673.44 to replace outdated fuel‑system interfaces at the highway department (passed by roll call). County staff said the current pump software is no longer supported and the new interface is transferable if pumps are relocated.

- Personnel actions: approved filling full‑time male and part‑time female correctional officer vacancies at the detention center (passed by voice vote), and approved various board appointments: Paul Johnson to the Weed and Pest Board (term to 12/31/2026) and Tyler Jensen to the Extension Board (term to 01/09/2026) (passed by roll call/voice vote).

Most items passed on unanimous or recorded roll calls; the board did not take action on non‑noticed requests during the public comment period. Many approvals were routine or administrative and will be reflected in the minutes and department records.