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Union County approves $513,405 for township road work, adopts seasonal load limits and joins bridge reinspection program
Summary
At its Jan. 21 meeting in Elk Point, the Union County Board of Commissioners approved $513,405 in township bridge and culvert repairs, adopted a seasonal 7-ton-per-axle load limit for certain county roads and voted to participate in the federal bridge reinspection program with Ulteig Operations, LLC; personnel actions and claims were also approved.
The Union County Board of Commissioners approved funding for nine township bridge and culvert projects totaling $513,405 during its Jan. 21 meeting at the courthouse in Elk Point.
Commissioner Michael Dailey moved to approve “Township Projects 1–9” totaling $513,405; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Peggy Ustad and carried. The itemized requests included an Emmet Township bridge deck replacement for $116,000; two projects in Big Springs Township totaling $100,657; two Prairie Township projects totaling $92,800; and multiple culvert replacements in Alcester, Brule and Virginia townships.
The vote follows a presentation from Highway Superintendent Jerry Buum and directs county funds to replace and repair structures the highway department identified as needing immediate work.
The board also adopted Resolution HD2025-02 to impose a seasonal load limit of 7 tons per axle on certain Union County highways. The resolution cites SDCL 32-14-6 as authority for imposing temporary weight restrictions and instructs the highway superintendent to install warning signs; penalties for violations are linked to SDCL 32-22-55. The motion to approve the resolution carried.
In a separate action, the board approved Resolution HD2025-01 to participate in the bridge reinspection program required by 23 CFR 650 Subpart C. Union County requested that the South Dakota Department of Transportation hire Ulteig Operations, LLC to perform the inspections; SDDOT will seek federal approvals and pay the consultant, and the county will be billed for the contract’s required 20% local match. The motion to participate carried.
The board accepted the resignation of Crystal Harkness, effective Jan. 31, 2025, and approved the promotion of Samantha Langley from Administrative Assistant to Highway Executive Secretary at a monthly salary of $4,527.38. Both personnel motions carried.
County claims were audited and approved as presented. The minutes list a large set of vendors; notable single-line amounts include Ulteig Engineers $111,608.00 and Subsurface, Inc. $92,234.00. The minutes do not record individual vote tallies for claims beyond the board’s approval.
Sheriff James Prouty received authorization to travel to Pierre Jan. 29–30 for the South Dakota Sheriff Association’s Capitol Winter Business Meeting and Sheriff’s Day at the Capitol. The board also conducted multiple executive sessions under SDCL 1-25-2 (3) for legal and personnel matters; the minutes record start and end times for those sessions but do not disclose discussion details.
The board adjourned at 12:59 p.m. and scheduled its next regular meeting for Feb. 4, 2025.
