Codington County signs off on multiple purchases, final pay and union contracts

The Codington County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 16 approved a series of routine county actions including equipment purchases for county offices, a contract amendment and final pay application for the Extension building parking lot, and settled labor contracts for correctional officers and deputy sheriffs.

Key actions at a glance: the board approved (1) replacement of two computers for the state's attorney's office, (2) purchase of an industrial commercial shredder for records security, (3) an $8,000 contract amendment for additional engineering/administration and warranty oversight on the Extension building parking lot followed by approval of the final pay application for that project, (4) negotiated contracts for the correctional officers (Teamsters) and the sheriff's deputy association that apply a 2.6% COLA to newly adopted wage scales and update the 2026 health-insurance appendix, (5) purchase of a refurbished printer for the community service office, (6) declaring an older search-and-rescue trailer surplus, and (7) routine payments including a recorded 911 surcharge payment for October 2025 of $38,009.44.

State's attorney equipment: The state's attorney explained the two desktop computer replacements are part of a scheduled rotation to keep essential case-management systems functioning; she said the machines are for office manager Jamie Monson and for Carrie, who handles juvenile abuse and neglect cases, and that funds will be drawn from the office's micro professional services budget. The transcript records the budget draw as "$34.26," which appears to be a transcription or formatting issue and was discussed as available funds rather than a precise purchase total.

Shredder and printer purchases: The state's attorney also described a commercial-grade shredder to manage high volumes of confidential records and the community service office requested a refurbished printer to replace a jam-prone, aging unit. Both purchases were approved and will be paid from existing office budgets.

Extension parking lot contract work: Staff presented Amendment No. 2 to the engineering contract for the Extension building parking lot to cover extended construction administration and warranty-period oversight; the amendment request was stated as $8,000. The board approved the amendment and later voted to approve the final pay application for the completed project. In discussion staff summarized the original contract amount ($515,414.08) and the reconciled final project price presented in the meeting (the transcript lists the final pay application amount as "$13,764 and $40.10" which the board treated as the remaining pay application being released after warranty items were addressed).

Union contracts: County staff presented negotiated agreements with the correctional officers (Teamsters local) and the sheriff's deputy association. Changes include applying a new wage scale (previously recommended by a consultant) and adding a 2.6% cost-of-living adjustment; the health insurance appendices were updated to the county's 2026 plan. The board approved both contracts by voice vote.

Other business: The board declared the replaced search-and-rescue utility trailer surplus for sale, approved abatement applications, and authorized routine payments. The board later moved into an executive session on personnel matters with no action to follow.

What's next: Most items are administrative approvals; staff will implement purchases, file the approved pay application and contract amendment, and proceed with steps required by each contract or purchase order.

Sources: Dec. 16 board meeting discussion and roll-call voice votes.