Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the County Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Charles Mix County commissioners approve patrol vehicle, multiple agreements and financial reports
Summary
At their Jan. 22 meeting in Lake Andes, the Charles Mix County Board of Commissioners approved routine agenda items, accepted year-end financial reports showing a $7.38 million ending balance, authorized a $47,048 patrol vehicle purchase, approved intergovernmental dispatch and detention agreements, and authorized limited assessor overtime and a storage lease for Bryan Township.
The Charles Mix County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Jan. 22, 2026, at the County Courthouse in Lake Andes and approved a package of routine motions and contracts including county financial reports and several public-safety and administrative agreements.
Chairman Colin Soukup called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and commissioners unanimously approved the meeting agenda and the minutes of the Jan. 5, 2026 session. Auditor Jason Gant presented the Auditor's Account with Treasurer for the month ending Dec. 31, 2025, reporting total deposits in banks of $7,379,459.22, total cash $600.00, total checks $4,839.78, and a total balance of $7,384,899.00; commissioners approved the account. The Treasurer's report for the same period showed a beginning balance of $8,660,227.63, revenue of $844,806.35, expenses of $2,120,134.98, and an ending balance of $7,384,899.00; that report was also approved.
In a set of law-enforcement actions, Sheriff Randy Thaler sought equipment and service agreements. The board approved purchase of a 2026 Dodge Ram from Iverson Auto for $47,048 (motion by Vice Chairman Kory Standy; second by Chairman Soukup). Commissioners also approved overnight parking of a deputy vehicle outside the county (motion by Commissioner Nick Stotz; second by Vice Chairman Standy), a 2026 Law Enforcement Dispatch Agreement with the City of Wagner at a rate of $1,000 per full-time officer (the county currently lists five full-time officers), and a 2026 juvenile detention agreement with Beadle County at $325 per day; each motion carried.
Highway Superintendent Doug Cimpl reviewed planned bridge repairs, highway projects and other operational matters and requested storage options for Bryan Township road equipment. The board approved a lease agreement draft to let Bryan Township store a road grader in one bay at $200 per month (motion by Chairman Soukup; second by Vice Chairman Standy).
Director of Equalization Denise Weber told the board that assessor staff would need overtime to process assessment notices that must be mailed by March 1. Commissioners authorized up to 150 overtime hours for assessor staff (motion by Vice Chairman Standy; second by Commissioner Stotz).
Auditor Gant also presented an updated electronic fund transfer (EFT) policy and the requirement for governmental entities to accept EFT payments; the board voted to adopt the updated policy and the acceptance requirement (motion by Vice Chairman Standy; second by Chairman Soukup). Auditor Gant reviewed a draft policy on vacation, sick leave and paid time off but the board took no action on that personnel policy.
On personnel, the board approved hiring Edwin Young as an uncertified deputy sheriff effective Feb. 1 at $27.88 per hour (motion by Commissioner Stotz; second by Vice Chairman Standy).
The meeting record included a detailed Commission Report listing department-level invoices and fund-level payroll tax totals; the listed grand total of invoices was $238,890.57. Commissioners set their next meetings for 10:00 a.m. on Feb. 12 and Feb. 19, 2026, at the courthouse and adjourned at noon.
Votes at a glance - Approve agenda: motion by Kory Standy; second Nick Stotz; outcome: approved (all in favor). - Approve Jan. 5, 2026 minutes: motion by Nick Stotz; second Kory Standy; outcome: approved. - Approve bills (Jan. 15, 2026): motion by Kory Standy; second Nick Stotz; outcome: approved. - Approve Auditor's Account with Treasurer (Dec. 31, 2025 totals $7,384,899.00): motion by Nick Stotz; second Kory Standy; outcome: approved. - Approve Treasurer's report (Dec. 31, 2025): motion by Nick Stotz; second Kory Standy; outcome: approved. - Approve Register of Deeds fees $11,291.00: motion by Nick Stotz; second Kory Standy; outcome: approved. - Bryan Township lease (one bay at $200/month): motion by Colin Soukup; second Kory Standy; outcome: approved. - Approve up to 150 hours overtime for Assessor staff: motion by Kory Standy; second Nick Stotz; outcome: approved. - Adopt updated EFT policy and requirement to accept EFT payments: motion by Kory Standy; second Colin Soukup; outcome: approved. - Purchase 2026 Dodge Ram patrol vehicle from Iverson Auto for $47,048: motion by Kory Standy; second Colin Soukup; outcome: approved. - Approve overnight parking of a deputy vehicle outside the county: motion by Nick Stotz; second Kory Standy; outcome: approved. - Approve Law Enforcement Dispatch Agreement with City of Wagner at $1,000 per full-time officer: motion by Kory Standy; second Colin Soukup; outcome: approved. - Approve Beadle County Juvenile Detention Center Agreement at $325/day: motion by Nick Stotz; second Kory Standy; outcome: approved. - Hire Edwin Young, uncertified deputy sheriff at $27.88/hr effective Feb. 1: motion by Nick Stotz; second Kory Standy; outcome: approved. - Adjourn at 12:00 p.m.: motion by Kory Standy; second Nick Stotz; outcome: approved.
What it means The meeting was largely procedural and focused on routine administrative votes, contract renewals and equipment procurement. The board approved the county’s year-end financial accounting and several law-enforcement-related contracts and purchases that maintain current operations. The assessor office was authorized limited, short-term overtime to meet statutory notice mailings.
Ending The board adjourned at noon and will meet next on Feb. 12 and Feb. 19, 2026, both at 10:00 a.m. at the courthouse in Lake Andes.
