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Charles Mix County board accepts $73,000 election security grant, approves courthouse locks and lighting
Summary
On April 14 the Charles Mix County Board accepted a $73,000 Homeland Security election grant and awarded contracts for courthouse security locks and exterior lighting, approved a plat and routine financial reports, and authorized personnel and travel actions; two executive sessions on personnel produced no action.
The Charles Mix County Board of Commissioners on April 14 voted to accept a $73,000 Homeland Security grant intended for election security and to award bids for courthouse security upgrades.
Commissioner Nick Stotz moved and Vice Chairman Kory Standy seconded acceptance of the grant and approval of the low bid from 3D Security for new security locks at $49,992.36 and a bid from Schuman Electric for exterior lighting at $1,861.50. All commissioners voted in favor and the motion carried.
The funding decision follows routine county budget approvals earlier in the meeting. The board also approved the Auditor's Account with Treasurer for the month ending March 31, 2026, reporting total deposits and cash of $7,312,208.57. The Treasurer's Report, approved the same day, listed a beginning balance of $7,842,901.18, total revenue of $1,114,212.17, total expenses of $1,644,904.78 and an ending balance of $7,312,208.57.
The board approved several other routine items by unanimous vote. Chairman Colin Soukup moved, and Commissioner Nick Stotz seconded, approval of a PLAT of Lot 1, Hoffman's First Addition in Bryan Township (E 1/2 NE 1/4 Section 30, T96N, R63W) near 393rd Ave and 295th St in Charles Mix County.
Personnel matters included approval of the resignation of Becky Meritt, Assessor Assistant, effective April 24, 2026, and authorization for travel to various professional conferences for assessors, veterans, deputies, officials and the State's Attorney. The personnel votes were made by Commissioner Nick Stotz and seconded by Vice Chairman Kory Standy.
Highway Superintendent Doug Cimpl briefed commissioners on local road work and equipment needs, reviewing the Geddes Oil Road project, a planned June overlay, replacement or acquisition of a mower tractor, CDL staffing concerns and crack-sealing work in Dante. No formal action on highway capital purchases was recorded in the minutes.
The board held two executive sessions under SDCL 1-25-2 to discuss personnel matters. The first session, which included State's Attorney Steve Cotton, Superintendent Doug Cimpl and Highway Foreman Jerry Horst, began at 10:39 a.m. and ended at 10:56 a.m.; the second, with State's Attorney Cotton and Auditor Jason Gant, ran from 11:17 a.m. to 11:37 a.m. The minutes state no action was taken after either session.
Auditor Jason Gant also provided administrative updates on commissioner travel, options for health insurance renewal, county sales tax and owner-occupied tax matters, a delay in Primary Election ballots, and the summer meeting schedule. The board scheduled the next Board of Equalization for 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 28, and regular Board of Commissioners meetings for April 28 at 11:00 a.m. and May 14 at 10:00 a.m. The meeting adjourned at 11:38 a.m.
Votes at a glance
- Approve agenda: Motion by Kory Standy, seconded by Nick Stotz — all in favor, carried. - Approve minutes (March 26, 2026): Motion by Kory Standy, seconded by Nick Stotz — all in favor, carried. - Approve bills (April 14, 2026): Motion by Kory Standy, seconded by Nick Stotz — all in favor, carried. - Approve Auditor's Account ($7,312,208.57): Motion by Nick Stotz, seconded by Kory Standy — all in favor, carried. - Approve Treasurer's Report (begin $7,842,901.18; end $7,312,208.57): Motion by Nick Stotz, seconded by Kory Standy — all in favor, carried. - Approve Register of Deeds fees ($7,683.50): Motion by Nick Stotz, seconded by Kory Standy — all in favor, carried. - Approve PLAT (Hoffman's First Addition): Motion by Colin Soukup, seconded by Nick Stotz — all in favor, carried. - Accept Homeland Security Grant ($73,000) and award bids for locks and lighting: Motion by Nick Stotz, seconded by Kory Standy — all in favor, carried. - Approve resignation of Becky Meritt (effective 4/24/26) and travel authorizations: Motion by Nick Stotz, seconded by Kory Standy — all in favor, carried. - Enter/exit executive sessions (personnel, SDCL 1-25-2): motions recorded; sessions ended with no action taken.
Context and next steps
The accepted Homeland Security grant and contracts will fund physical security upgrades at the courthouse related to election security; the minutes do not specify a timeline for installation. The board's financial statements remain publicly recorded in the minutes; the Auditor and Treasurer reports indicate the county closed March with roughly $7.31 million on hand. The county will reconvene for the Board of Equalization on April 28 and for regular business later that day.
