by Benjamin Chase
of the Plainsman

HURON ­— The Beadle County Commission met as the county board of adjustment during Tuesday morning’s meeting, to review a variance request filed by Cole Searing for property at 1453 9th St. SW.

Searing is requesting to build a clay track for go-karts for family and friends on property he owns.

The commission room was filled with spectators regarding the potential track. Many of those in opposition were against a track, seeing it as a step toward hosting competitive races, despite Searing’s assurance that it will not become that and willingness to include such language in conditions on any approved variance.

The property in question is in joint jurisdictional area with the city, though most of those who came to the meeting spoke due to its adjacency to city property.

The variance had been presented to the joint planning commission, where it received a recommended denial, though the request can still be heard at county and city meetings with a denial recommendation and potentially receive a different response in those meetings.

Searing explained that within his property, he would be running go-karts and all-terrain vehicles anyway on the property, action that does not require a variance. Putting up a track with clay footing requires a variance, and it’s for that reason he was seeking the variance.

After reviewing the application and hearing testimony, the commission considered the application and had questions regarding the city statutes on noise and other joint issues that would come into play.

The commission chose to table the variance until clarification with city could be reached.

The meeting opened with highway superintendent Jason Fritzsche. He noted that many of his department were out on roads after the recent snowstorm.

Fritzsche presented the Joint Powers Agreement with the South Dakota Department of Transportation for pavement marking to be done in the county this year.

He stated that the amount the state has budgeted for the county fits with the 10 miles of chip sealing that the county plans to do.

Sheriff Doug Solem let the commission know of the resignation of deputy Chad Olerud. The commission accepted the resignation and approved Solem to post and hire for a deputy position.

Jeff Banks appeared on behalf of a client, to discuss a settlement that would remove a lien held by Beadle County on a piece of property. The property had been sold on contract for deed, but the buyers defaulted on the sale. There were also multiple individual liens placed that were attached to the property.

The previous owner reclaimed the land after the purchasers defaulted on the sale, and is looking to sell, offering a $3,500 settlement to remove county lien on the property, although this does not address other individual liens still held by the county. This was approved.

Commissioners considered carryover of vacation hours from 2023 to 2024 for certain employees that had more hours to carry over than allowed. This was discussed, and a motion to approve was put forth, but it died for lack of a second.

The commission also:
• Approved the hire of seasonal museum employees.
• Approved two conservation easement plats.
• Approved monthly payroll and bills, save a bill from Avera Behavioral to get more information.

The next county commission meeting is set for 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 9, in the commission room at the courthouse.