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Union County commissioners approve hires, highway grants and auction sales; discuss debris-site costs and 2025 budget
Summary
At a Sept. 17, 2024 meeting in Elk Point, the Union County Board of Commissioners approved three personnel hires, four preliminary engineering grants (each $84,200.70), audited and approved claims including large road-construction payments, and heard an estimated debris-site final cost of $185,000 (county share ~ $46,250).
The Union County Board of Commissioners met Sept. 17, 2024, in Elk Point and approved routine personnel actions, multiple highway engineering grants, the audited claims docket and the results of a public auction, while continuing discussions on the provisional 2025 budget and debris-site costs.
Commissioner Kimmel moved and Commissioner Joffer seconded approval of the agenda; that motion and a subsequent motion to approve the minutes from the Sept. 3 meeting both carried. The board approved three hires: Zachariah Brown as a full‑time deputy effective Sept. 9 at $22.86 per hour, and Roberto Alverez‑Arreola and Ryan Struiksma as part‑time jailers effective Sept. 16 at $19.62 per hour.
In finance actions, the board audited and approved claims and warrants, including two payroll runs (BW payroll 9/6/24: $90,786.18; BW payroll 9/20/24: $97,820.02). Notable single-vendor items listed in the claims packet included Jebro Inc. ($488,134.92), Ulteig Engineers, Inc. ($111,452.50), Knife River Midwest ($55,314.60) and L G Everist Inc. ($50,146.88). Commissioner Joffer moved to approve the claims; Commissioner Kimmel seconded and the motion carried.
The board awarded multiple items at a public auction of fairground buildings and property. Awards recorded included the show ring to Larry Sogn for $1,200.00; the beef barn to Dave Van Engen for $450.00; the Hoop Building to Alcester Towing for $700.00; 10.006 acres described as Donnelly Tract One to Larry Donnelly at $175 per acre (total $1,751.05); and the meeting room with an Elk Point vacant lot for $1,000.00.
On transportation matters, Highway Executive Secretary Harkness presented four 2025 Preliminary Engineering Improvement Grants for structure numbers 64-096-150, 64-070-250, 64-103-130 and 64-032-070. Each grant was listed at $84,200.70 and the board approved all four grant motions.
The board reviewed an engineering estimate for county debris-site costs provided by Jon Brown of Stockwell Engineering (via email). The estimated final cost as of Sept. 6, 2024 was $185,000; the county's 25% share was calculated at approximately $46,250. Commissioners discussed the estimate and funding implications but did not adopt a final funding decision at the meeting.
Sheriff Prouty updated commissioners on Bluepeak/Midco service status and the Alcester contract. States Attorney Miller and Chief Zenner briefed the board on concerns related to Bluepeak/Midco and a fire-district ordinance; the board received the reports but made no decisions on ordinance changes. Other department reports included EMA Westcott’s update on seminars and a tower project and Nurse Heirigs’ clinic activity report.
The board recessed twice during the session and adjourned at 12:26 p.m.; the next regular meeting was set for Sept. 24, 2024.
Notes: All motions recorded in the minutes were carried unless otherwise noted. The provisional 2025 budget discussion continued with no final adoption reported.
