Commissioners approve personnel posting, contingency transfers and routine permits; review 2026 budgets and bond rating

At the Aug. 5 meeting the Codington County Commission approved several administrative and budget items: posting and hiring for an administrative support position in the treasurer’s office, two contingency transfers, a fireworks permit for a private Sept. 5 wedding show, and routine claims, travel and staffing items.

County Treasurer Carol (surname not specified in the transcript) and HR presented the position to be posted following a resignation. The commission approved posting for the pay‑grade 20 administrative support position with a starting wage of $20.31 per hour.

Commissioners approved two commissioner contingency transfers: $19,266 to cover catastrophic legal costs and $1,989.19 for unemployment insurance. County staff noted the court‑appointed attorney fund had roughly $228,000 remaining and that it was about 73% expended through June; staff said they will monitor that account.

The commission approved a private fireworks permit for Sept. 5 at 8:15 p.m. for a wedding at Country Road Barn (residence listed as 4032 Fourth Avenue Southwest); the county noted the fire chief had approved the show. Commissioners also approved several budgeted travel requests and routine claims.

During the meeting commissioners and staff continued review of the 2026 budgets, including nonprofit allocations and county department budgets. Commissioners discussed wage recommendations for the commissioner's budget and reviewed capital project projections for the jail (presented elsewhere on the agenda). Brenda and county staff reported discussions with Colliers on the bond process and noted a bond rating of "double A 2," which commissioners said will help with financing costs. Commissioners also set the jail groundbreaking for Aug. 18 at 11 a.m.

All motions described above passed on voice votes during the meeting.