Codington County commissioners on Dec. 31, 2024 approved a package of routine and project-specific items including a facility-use addendum with the American Red Cross, a riprap repair contract for a county bridge, budget transfers and personnel actions. Motions carried on each item as recorded on the meeting agenda.

Votes at a glance

- Facility Use Addendum with the American Red Cross (includes pet addendum and facility eligibility after sprinkler installation): motion by Commissioner Van Duzen, second by Commissioner Johnson; outcome: approved. The county agreed not to charge use fees and to allow the Red Cross to use the extension center and an auditorium as primary and secondary shelter locations; the Red Cross will provide annual follow-up/inspections.

- Riprap repair contract (Codington County project 15-159-100, bridge west of the casino on 164th Street/County Road 65): award to Basin Construction of Hayti for $96,818; motion by Commissioner Gable, second by Commissioner Van Duzen; outcome: approved. Work expected to begin after Jan. 1 and finish by Feb. 28, weather permitting.

- Surplus declaration: office equipment at the extension office declared surplus to be destroyed; motion by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner Gable; outcome: approved.

- Contract with South Dakota State Department of Health for community health nurse services: annual total $15,379.54, paid in quarterly installments; motion by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner Van Duzen; outcome: approved.

- Designation of surplus funds for future building projects: designated cash amount $8,600,619 for future building projects; motion by Commissioner Gable, second by Commissioner Van Duzen; outcome: approved.

- Commissioner contingency transfers: three transfers totaling $70,500 (commissioner budget $44,000; court-appointed attorney $4,000; county nurse $4,500) approved by motion of Commissioner Gable, second by Commissioner Van Duzen; a separate $18,000 transfer to E-911 was approved by motion of Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner Gable.

- 2025 wage scale (4% increase for non-commissioner salaries): motion by Commissioner David, second by Commissioner Johnson; outcome: approved.

- Payroll and claims: December 24 payroll $791,855 approved (motion by Commissioner Gable, second by Van Duzen); year-end claims $361,568.87 approved (motion by Commissioner Gable, second by Van Duzen).

- Emergency management automatic budget supplement: $65,485.81 estimated reimbursement from State of South Dakota; motion by Commissioner Gable, second by Van Duzen; outcome: approved.

- Personnel: appointment of Randy Follway as highway superintendent effective Jan. 1, 2025 (motion by Van Duzen, second by Johnson); outcome: approved. The meeting record lists an associated pay figure but the transcript wording was unclear on the exact salary amount.

- Community service office hires and other personnel matters: motions carried as listed on the agenda.

Details, context and notable discussion

Facility use addendum with the American Red Cross: County emergency management staff described the addendum as a memorandum to support planning and sheltering; an addendum covers pet accommodation requiring leashes or carriers. Staff said the extension center became an eligible Red Cross facility after a sprinkler system was installed and that Red Cross representatives will perform periodic inspections. Emergency management staff indicated the county will not charge the Red Cross for facility use for sheltering purposes but may seek reimbursement for extraordinary utility costs.

Riprap repair project: Highway staff said only one bid was received, from Basin Construction for $96,818, and that the work will require some soil blankets and, if necessary, landowner permission to access adjacent property; the board noted engineering was previously paid from the 2024 budget and construction costs will be charged to the 2025 budget.

Budget and finance actions: Commissioners discussed how surplus building funds were built up from underspent department budgets and noted the amount is intended to be available for major projects such as courthouse or jail work. The board split commissioner contingency transfers to allow separate votes on transfers related to E-911.

Personnel actions: The board confirmed Randy Follway as highway superintendent effective Jan. 1, 2025. The transcript includes a pay figure in discussion but the exact numeric formatting in the record is unclear; the article notes the appointment and that the pay is recorded in the official minutes.

The meeting adjourned after routine new- and old-business items and no public comments were made at the end of the session.