Walworth County Commission meeting Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024

At Tuesday’s (Jan. 23rd) meeting of the Walworth County Commission, the board, during planning and zoning, stated how the upcoming solar farm ordinance public hearing will run.  Commission Chairman Jim Houck said the meeting will be held Wednesday, February 7th, at 9:00am.  There will be two lists available for people attending to sign-in on:  one for those opposed to the solar farm ordinances and another for those in favor.  Those opposed will have the opportunity to be heard first.  Everyone will be allotted five minutes to speak.  Houck also said that the board will only address questions that are written and submitted to the Assessor’s Office by February 1st.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, Mobridge Mayor Gene Cox called in to discuss the Tisdall property tax deed.  Cox would like the County to assist in the removal of the building on that property, which is located on Railroad Street in Mobridge, across from the old MDU building.  The commission decided to table the discussion to the next meeting to give them time to gather more information on possibly hiring an excavator to do the work.

Board Appointments

County Board Appointments will remain the same for 2024 with the exceptions of updating the Auditor’s and Highway Superintendent’s names.

Sheriff

For the Sheriff’s department, the commission approved a contingency transfer of $85.98 into the DARE fund so it can be expended and dispersed in the DARE education at the Selby school.

The Sheriff’s Amended Employee Resolution for 2024 wages and salaries was approved – the amendment being the senior transport officer wage dropping to be in line with the other transports.

A surplus property list was approved, most of which is equipment and parts from the old Chevy Tahoe going up for auction in April.

Sheriff Josh Boll presented his December 2023 report.  He also had the year-end inmate transport report with a total of $532,000 in transport costs, not including wages.

Register of Deeds

Register of Deeds Brenda DeToy discussed her end of month report, medical billing, the SHINE program, and pesticide testing.

Highway

Highway Superintendent Tom Hannan presented the 2023 annual report.

The commission approved the 2024 proposed equipment rates, and the spring load limit resolution.  Hannan read the resolution.

Auditor

The commissioners approved the County Auditor to attend election training February 28 & 29th in Pierre with a one-night stay at the Ramkota.

Emergency Management

Commissioner Justin Jungwirth read the Wildland Fire Division Designee resolution in the absence of Emergency Manager Jeff Jensen.  There are no changes from last year, and the commission passed a motion to approve.