County reviews 2026 supply bids

by Benjamin Chase
of the Plainsman

HURON –– The Beadle County Commission reviewed a host of bids that were received over the past month for supplies for work the highway department wants to do, as well as surfacing work.

The supply bids were fairly close, and highway superintendent Jason Fritzsche encouraged accepting all of the supply bids to use as needed throughout the year. Fritzsche also updated the commission on work he’d done to further the parking lot project, including speaking with City of Huron employees regarding the street parking in the project. He also discussed purchases that he is working on for later this year and putting the current equipment that is being replaced on surplus auction.

Fritzsche also talked about a bridge that the county thought they would get state funding to assist in repairing, but the fact that other counties have a graduated wheel tax pushes their points in the formula higher and gets their bridges funded. He presented the commission with the wheel taxes being charged by other counties in the state, showing that Beadle is one of the lowest in the state.

The commission reviewed the 2023-2024 audit as presented by Brandie Pitts from the Department of Legislative Audit.

Sovanna Beekman presented a potential release of lien on a 1992 attorney charge by the county. After hearing details, the commission chose to issue a full release of the lien.

Lesleann Palmer of NECOG along with deputy emergency manager Taylor Jans discussed the Hazard Mitigation Plan for the county to qualify for the FEMA’s grant program. The county’s plan expires in December, so Palmer discussed working with the county beginning in the early summer to put together a plan to submit in the early fall to ensure the December deadline is met.

The commission approved four plats and the election agreement with the city and school district for June 2.

Commissioners then had an extended conversation about repairs needed in the juvenile detention center. The commission will work with Sheriff Doug Solem to make plans for the repairs that are needed.