Sioux County reorganizes weed-control operations; superintendent resigns and duties shift to road department

Sioux County commissioners recorded a series of personnel changes and structural decisions for the county’s weed-control program during 2025.

Weed Superintendent Nick Sanderson submitted his annual control plan early in the year and later notified the county of his resignation effective April 18, 2025; the board accepted his resignation by motion. Minutes show Sanderson had secured a $15,000 Forest Service grant for spraying on Forest Service lands and had continued to pursue repairs at the county weed shop prior to his resignation.

County Attorney Adam Edmund briefed the board on legal requirements: state statute requires counties to have a certified weed superintendent. At a special meeting on April 14 the board appointed Jim Phipps interim Weed Superintendent and directed the county to advertise for both a road/weed combined employee and for a certified weed superintendent. In May the board appointed Eric McCoy Weed Superintendent and later (June 16) appointed McCoy Road Superintendent effective July 1; the minutes show the board approved corresponding wage changes and continued to discuss job descriptions and compensation for weed and road staff.

The board also took action on multiple predator-control approaches: motions approved Reno Air Service and later USDA APHIS Wildlife Services contracts for predator-control services (motions and contract approvals recorded across April–June meetings). The minutes reflect public inquiries about predator-control arrangements and interlocal agreements with neighboring Dawes County.

Next steps listed in county records include advertising and hiring for combined or separate positions, providing certification where required by statute, and coordinating any merged duties and compensation during upcoming budget negotiations.