Codington County commissioners approve 4% pay increase and a slate of administrative actions

Codington County commissioners on Jan. 7 in Watertown approved a 4% salary increase for themselves and a series of administrative measures, including a $33,000 zoning services contract, authorization of bank depositories and warrant signers, advertisement to hire a highway maintenance technician, and the county's 2025 seasonal weight-and-speed resolution.

The board approved the 4% pay increase after Commissioner Johnson moved for a raise to match the employee cost-of-living adjustment and Commissioner McElhaney seconded. A substitute motion to set a 2% increase based on the budget failed for lack of a second; the original motion passed on voice vote.

Commissioners also approved a contract for zoning services with the First District Association of Local Governments, authorized a list of banks to be used for certificates of deposit and investments, and designated the Watertown Public Opinion and the South Shore Gazette as the county's official legal newspapers for 2025. The board approved the list of employee cell-phone stipends as presented and authorized the auditor to maintain the official list of warrant signers in a secured location.

On highway matters, commissioners authorized advertising to fill a full-time…