Codington County commissioners approve right‑of‑way vacation, HAZMAT plan agreement, HVAC contract, COLA and hire
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Summary
At its Dec. 23 meeting the Codington County Board approved Resolution 2025‑24 vacating a right‑of‑way in the Pulsley Subdivision, authorized a HAZMAT‑plan update (partially grant‑funded), approved a five‑year Johnson Controls HVAC service contract and a 2.6% COLA for nonunion staff, and hired a part‑time deputy starting Jan. 1, 2026.
The Codington County Board of Commissioners approved a slate of administrative and personnel actions at its Dec. 23 meeting, including a right‑of‑way vacation, a HAZMAT plan agreement, a five‑year HVAC service contract, a 2.6% cost‑of‑living increase for nonunion employees and the hiring of a part‑time deputy.
Vacating right of way: Commissioners voted to approve Resolution 2025‑24, which vacates a portion of right of way in the Pulsley Subdivision (West Pelican Drive area). Commissioner Johnson told the board the planning and zoning commission recommended approval and noted the stretch dead‑ends into private property; county staff (Luke) said the property owners signed the petition, the land is not state‑owned waterway, and Watertown Fire Rescue recommended that if the applicants plat the two lots together they provide a turnaround meeting fire‑code requirements as a condition of approval.
HAZMAT‑plan agreement: The board authorized the chair to sign a letter of agreement with the First District Association of Local Government to update the county HAZMAT plan. Staff said First District quoted $7,500 for the update and the department was awarded $4,800 from the HMEP grant to offset costs; commissioners approved the agreement by voice vote (Commissioner Johnson recused himself from this item).
Facilities contract: Commissioners approved a new five‑year HVAC service contract with Johnson Controls. County staff (Steve) said the first year of the new contract is $24,530 and that the previous contract’s final year was roughly $23,000; the contract will be paid on a quarterly basis. The motion to approve carried by voice vote.
Personnel and wages: The board adopted a 2.6% COLA for nonunion employees to mirror recently approved union contracts. Commissioners also approved the hourly portion of the 2026 wage scale (the monthly figures were deferred pending final verification of calculations). The board approved hiring a part‑time deputy sheriff, Tyler Fish, to start Jan. 1, 2026 at the step identified in the packet; the position was described as part time with no benefits.
Other reports: Sheriff Bridal Howe presented monthly commissary and department statistics (bank and kiosk balances, service income, 526 cases responded to in November, 171 bookings, an average daily jail population of 50.57) and described a community outreach program to visit elementary schools with deputies. Toby (bond advisor) told the board that invested bond proceeds from the jail bond closing have generated about $520,101.57 in additional funds to date and that roughly $11 million is laddered to June 2026 to protect earnings.
The meeting adjourned after routine business. Recorded motioners and seconders were those listed in the meeting record; votes were taken by voice and recorded as carried where the transcript shows unanimous 'aye'.