Commission accepts Lake Andes Coop propane bid, approves prisoner housing contracts and staff actions

At its Oct. 23 meeting, the Charles Mix County Board of Commissioners approved several administrative items, including procurement and personnel actions.

Buildings & Grounds custodian Randy Winkler presented four bids for 10,000 gallons of courthouse propane: Lake Andes Coop ($1.25/gal), 3D Oil & LP ($1.29), Samuelson Tire & Oil ($1.30) and Best Propane ($1.50). Commissioner Nick Stotz moved and Commissioner Kory Standy seconded to accept the Lake Andes Coop bid at $1.25 per gallon; "A motion by Stotz and second by Standy to accept the bid from Lake Andes Coop at $1.25 for 10,000 gallons of propane for the Courthouse" carried unanimously.

The board also approved 2026 prisoner-housing contracts with surrounding counties at a rate of $90.00 per day (motion by Stotz, second by Standy). The commission voted to close the courthouse Dec. 24–26, 2025 "due to the State closing all offices" (motion recorded and approved). Auditor Jason Gant administered the Oath of Office to Jo Cee Feddersen as Deputy Register of Deeds and Deputy Treasurer.

On personnel, the commission approved donations of sick leave to another employee: up to 210 hours from Tammy DeJong, up to 160 hours from Paul Namminga and up to 40 hours from Janet Budavich.

Finance notes in the meeting packet list total claims of $232,482.98 across funds (general fund $199,889.61; county road & bridge $31,614.26) and payroll totals were presented. The board approved the bills as part of routine business.

Why it matters: the propane contract secures heating fuel for county facilities; prisoner-housing contracts and closure days affect county operations and budgeting; sick-leave donations affect employees’ benefits and staffing.

All listed motions carried with all present commissioners voting in favor; no dissent was recorded.