HURON — During the Tuesday meeting of the Beadle County Commission, the viability of the Lake Byron polling place was discussed. Due to difficulty finding workers to support the polling place during elections, auditor Jill Hanson and commissioners were in favor of closing the location and having voters use the Huron Arena as polling place going forward, but the decision was to postpone the decision until the next commission meeting on Jan. 25 to allow for public input and potential public attendance at that meeting.
The meeting opened sine die with Hanson running the meeting to close out the business of 2021 and accept nominations for chair and vice chair for 2022. Doug Ramsell was elected as chair and Rick Benson as vice-chair for 2022.
The commissioners heard from county treasurer Jacque McCaskell regarding potential hours changes in the treasurer’s office. As of Feb. 1, the treasurer’s office will be open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to give the treasurer office staff time to close out at the end of each day.
Culvert bids were opened, with the only bidder being TrueNorth Steel of Huron.
County highway supervisor Merl Hanson met with the commission to set fuel quotes and supplies bids to both be reviewed by the commission at the Feb. 8 meeting. Fuel quotes will be opened on Feb. 7, while supply bids will be opened Feb. 3.
Hanson also discussed the load limits resolution and presented this to the commission.
The new highway building is progressing after cold weather stalled progress last week. Hanson reported that the projection was to have the structure enclosed by the end of February.
Commissioners met as the county board of adjustment to review a request from Tim and Emily Davis to move a pre-fabricated home to Lake Byron. This was approved, provided the current structure is removed from the property.
The 2022 meeting with towns and townships was set for Feb. 15 at 7 p.m.
