After long discussions, the Union County Board of County Commissioners approved the provisional budget at their meeting July 26. The approved provisional budget shows a General Fund balance of $11.7 million. Most everything requested in every department head’s budget was approved. Small changes can still be made to the budget until September.

Next year, commissioner Kevin Joffer requested that any increases to budgets be explained in detail as to why they’re going up so the commissioners are better informed.

The commissioners also looked at the current jail rates with Sheriff Dan Limoges. Limoges said Union County currently charges $15 for in-county, $30 for work release and $65 for out-of-county inmates. Surrounding counties are charging anywhere from $80 to $95 a day for their inmates. The commissioners decided, effective Jan. 1, 2023, the rate for in-county inmates will raise to $25 per day and out-of-county inmates to $80 per day.

Department Heads

Director of Equalization Dawn Steckelberg informed the commissioners that she received agricultural valuations with the top crop staying the same at $3,701.52 and non-crop going up $3.50 to $259.53.

Community Health Nurse Lisa McInerney gave a brief overview of current COVID-19 numbers in Union and surrounding counties. She also stated that the first case of monkeypox has been detected in eastern South Dakota.

Emergency Manager Jason Westcott went through a list of events he attended including severe weather training, a vehicle rollover in Elk Point on Country Club and Jack Nicklaus Drive, two reported gas leaks in Elk Point, a report of a semi explosion at Casey’s in North Sioux City and completing paperwork. The semi explosion wasn’t an actual explosion, the brake system on the second axle of the semi failed causing the brakes to lock up and the tires to drag. When the semi driver pulled safely into Casey’s the tires popped (sounding like an explosion) and the tires and brake system started on fire. The event was extinguished by the North Sioux City Fire Department with little damage to the semi and no damage to the trailer.

Veteran Services Officer Lisa Schenzel said she continues to make contact with veterans and complete trainings. She wants to have a booth at the Union County Fair so veterans can stop by and discuss different options with her.

Union County Fair Manager Shawn Tabke gave the commissioners an update on how the fair was coming together. They have 350 exhibit entries and 170 in animals registered for the fair. So far they have received almost $5,500 in donations this year and hope to receive more from previous year’s donors. The commissioners approved Sadie Jensen and Dave Smith to the fairboard.

The commissioners also discussed the Alcester Steakhouse property the county purchased and the appraising of the current fairgrounds with Tabke. Part of the discussion resulted in an executive session for legal with no motion made upon reconvening.

Highway Superintendent Jerry Buum was present to discuss various items. He discussed the old Port of Entry in North Sioux City and how he believes the adjacent landowner is infringing on county property. He wants to find the property pins and if that is the case, wants State’s Attorney Jerry Miller to notify them of their infringement. The commissioners listened to a presentation by Hollaway Bridge and Culvert, Inc. on the services they could provide the county for bridge repairs.

Seth Rubida was present to request the closing of a minimum maintenance road in Richland Township (shown on the county highway map as R-11). In order for this to happen, a petition has to be signed by surrounding landowners and a public hearing held by the county commissioners (since the county governs Richland Township). The commissioners took Rubida’s signed petitions and informed him they would have Miller look them over to see if they would be considered valid and continue from there.

Limoges was present to inform the board of a mistake in his budget. He stated that they had forgot to put in a current part-time jailer position’s salary into the budget and would need the commissioners to raise his budget by $20,760. The commissioners, after deliberation, left the budget the same due to the turnover seen in that office, stating it shouldn’t impact the presented budget line.

Agenda Items

In other agenda items, the commissioners approved the new hires of part-time jailer Jason Kurtz effective July 11 at $16.62 per hour and Lance Fleming, seasonal highway employee, effective Aug. 1 at $16.62 per hour.

Travel was approved for Auditor Jackie Sieverding to attend election training in Pierre Aug. 3-4 and for the 2022 Federal Tax Tabletop Exercise Aug. 17-18.

The board approved minutes from the last meeting and claims. The next meeting was scheduled for Aug. 9 at 8:30 a.m.