Beadle County commission sets December land sale date

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HURON — While much of the meeting was focused on end-of-year financial decisions, the Beadle County Commission on Tuesday morning set Tuesday, Dec. 29, at 10 a.m. as the time and date for a land sale of available default properties in the county. A full listing of available properties will be forthcoming.

The meeting opened with a report from the highway department. Current highway foreman Jason Fritzsche discussed the work being done on the new highway building as work has picked up pace in the last week. The first phase of the building is planned to be complete early in the month, with the second phase finished early in January.

Commissioners approved the bid of Lehtola Builders Inc for the work on structure #03-351-280. Fritzsche reported that two other structures were recently completed, one in Allen Township and one in Pearl Creek Township.

Commissioners approved a resignation at the jail along with the hire of Marc Lenz at the highway department and Abraham Millan at the WIC office.

Shon Ford from AFLAC met with the commission to discuss the products offered to county employees and updates for 2023.

Commissioners approved the transfer of funds to the highway fund and emergency management fund and discussed the county special building fund.

The 2023 memorandum of understanding with Beadle County 4-H for the 4-H Advisor at Extension was approved with a slight cost of living increase in the 50/50 split that the county covers.

Finally, notable debate occurred surrounding funding for the Huron Housing rehab program. The county had been approached multiple times in 2022 to consider funding part of the administrative costs for the program.

Commissioners expressed the view that while the program has obvious merits, there is concern to tying long-term into supporting the program. Concerns were also expressed about the best utilization of taxpayer resources.

A motion was made to fund the rehab program for $25,000 per year for two years. The vote passed 3-2, with Commission chairman Doug Ramsell casting the deciding vote.

The next Beadle County Commission meeting is 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, in the commission room on the second floor of the courthouse.