HURON — The agenda for Tuesday morning’s Beadle County Commission meeting was full, but it was certainly pointed to one agenda item that brought a handful of public attendees to the meeting with interest in the commission’s potential thoughts and/or decision on a potential carbon pipeline through parts of Beadle County and exactly how that pipeline should be regulated.
Beadle County landowner Jamie Fisk presented research that he had gathered from other counties, other states, state and federal agencies, and lawyers regarding carbon pipelines and regulation of pipelines. One finding was that pipeline regulation within the state of South Dakota is not something that can be found as the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the agency that is tasked with the regulation, has no specific requirements set forth for any organization or company that would choose to create a pipeline in the state.
Fisk asserted that because of the lack of state regulation, it was left to local governance to regulate pipelines within their boundaries, and he presented multiple ordinances from counties with regulations on pipelines as potential templates. He explained that landowners being approached about the current carbon pipeline may be unaware that they have options to negotiate the depth and setback of the pipeline due to the way things are laid out in documentation, but having a local standard would help land owners avoid being caught by “fine print.”
After Fisk spoke, a representative from Summit Carbon Solutions addressed the commission. He stated that the position of Summit was that local governments should not be regulating construction of pipelines.
He also expressed that Summit expects the Public Utilities Commission to set standards for their pipeline, but not likely until next spring, but that Summit will continue to work with farmers in planned pipeline paths to obtain easement contracts.
Multiple Beadle County residents spoke at the meeting against the pipeline. Commissioner Rick Benson expressed frustration that the state has not done anything at this time, but commissioners chose to table discussion on a potential ordinance regarding the pipeline at this time.
Commissioners began the meeting by hearing from Merl Hanson, the Beadle County highway superintendent. He noted that oil prices will go up in July, so the department is doing as much chip sealing as possible in June to avoid that price increase.
Commissioners also spoke with Beadle County coroner Gary Gould regarding the price paid for county burials and indigent burials. Commissioner Denis Drake and Gould will meet to put together a plan for prices going forward to be presented to the commission at the next meeting.
The commission heard four items as the board of adjustment. The first was a variance request by Michael Fast of Fast Farms to plant a row of trees on a feed lot that would not meet set back. The trees would cause no line of sight issues and had no objections, so this was approved.
The second variance was from William Mees to extend a gravel driveway from his property to the road. The commission approved the variance, pending approval from the city of Wolsey.
The third variance was filed by Nicholas Matthews to remove an old storage shed and replace it with a new storage shed on a property at Lake Byron. This was approved.
The final variance was an annexation petition filed by Northwestern Energy for the new facility located in joint jurisdiction with the city of Huron. This was approved.
Commissioners approved a reassignment of job responsibilities in the equalization office. The reassignment will save the county more than $36,000 in salary before benefits.
County auditor Jill Hanson discussed the election worker pay for the upcoming primary election. After discussing a few numbers, the workers will be paid $250 per day.
Commissioners also:
• Approved a retail on-sale liquor license for Cash Out Casino and Vape LLC.
• Approved a conditional use permit for Blackcat Pyro Outlet.
• Approved the resignation of a county jailer, effective in August, and approved advertising for a jailer position.
• Approved hiring of seasonal workers for weed board, museum, and interns at States Attorney Office.
The meeting ended with a discussion led by Hanson on the 2023 budget.
County commissioners will meet next at 9 a.m. on Thursday, June 9, with the focus of the meeting to canvass the June 7 election.
