Sanborn County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, April 20, at 9:00 a.m. with Chairman Jeff Ebersdorfer presiding. Present were Gary Blindauer, Paul Larson, Steve Larson, and Rod Weber. Auditor Kami Moody was also present. Motion by Blindauer, seconded by Weber, to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried. 

HIGHWAY

Stacy Mendenhall, Highway Superintendent, and Sheri Kogel, Highway Administrative Assistant, met with the board. 

Motion by S. Larson, seconded by Weber, to approve the work order proposal, with Brosz Engineering, for structure #56-094-010. All ayes, motion carried. Motion by Blindauer, seconded by P. Larson, to approve the work order proposal, with Brosz Engineering, for bridge inspection. All ayes, motion carried. Motion by S. Larson, seconded by P. Larson, to enter into agreement with the State of South Dakota to provide striping and continuing maintenance of county roads within Sanborn County. All ayes; motion carried. 

ROBERT GEHM, NORTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE

WHEREAS, NorthWestern Corporation, a Delaware Corporation, d/b/a NorthWestern Energy (NorthWestern), has filed an application with the Sanborn County Board of Commissioners pursuant to Chapter 31-26 of the South Dakota Codified Laws, seeking the right to erect and maintain poles, wires and necessary appurtenances and bury cable for the purpose of conducting electricity for lighting, heating and power purposes (power lines) on and along the county highways located in Sanborn County, South Dakota.

WHEREAS, the Sanborn County Board of Commissioners has the jurisdiction and authority to grant the application of NorthWestern as set forth in paragraph 1 above, subject to such conditions as it may desire to impose. 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Sanborn County Board of Commissioners as follows:

1. That the application of Northwestern dated March 22, 2021 for permission to erect and maintain power lines on and along Sanborn County public highways is granted subject to the conditions set forth herein.

2. That this grant is for a period twenty (20) years from and after April 20, 2021, or as may be extended by the Sanborn County Board of Commissioners in writing at a subsequent date.

3. That as consideration for this grant, NorthWestern agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Sanborn County, its officers and employees from any and all liability, damages, claims, demands or otherwise, whether the same is based on contract or otherwise in law or in equity associated with the design, construction, installation, operating, inspecting, repairing, maintaining, replacing or removal of the power lines along with all appurtenances thereto located pursuant to this grant, except such liability, damages, claims or demands that arise as a result of the negligence of the county, its officers, employees or agents. 

4. That as additional consideration for this grant, NorthWestern agrees to restore, at its expense, the affected areas in as good condition as before said work was commenced and replace any structures affected, i.e. culverts and signs; and if the public highways within the county highways requires the removal or relocation of the power lines, it shall be solely at the expense of NorthWestern.

5. That the rights and conditions by this grant shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of NorthWestern.  

6. This grant shall further be subject to all rules and regulations as specified in the current edition of the National Electrical Safety Code.

7. That is, the grant, shall not be effective until execution of the acceptance of the conditions set forth below by NorthWestern.

Dated this 20th day of April 2021.

SANBORN COUNTY 

BOARD OF 

COMMISSIONERS

Jeffrey Ebersdorfer

Chairman, 

Board of County 

Commissioners

ATTEST:

Kami Moody

Sanborn County Auditor

The foregoing resolution was made by Commissioner Weber. and seconded by Commissioner P. Larson, and upon a vote being taken thereon:

The following voted yea: S. Larson, P. Larson, Blindauer, and Weber.

The following voted nay: None.

Whereupon the Chairman declared the resolution adopted. 

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Motion by S. Larson, seconded by P. Larson, to appoint Josh Starzman as Emergency Management Director, effective May 1, 2021. All ayes, motion carried. 

PENNY FARRIS, DIRECTOR OF EQUALIZATION

A plat was presented for Robert Pearson, A PLAT OF LOTS 2 AND 3 OF R.J. PEARSON’S FIRST ADDITION 1 THE SW ¼ OF SECTION 33, T 108 N, R 60 W OF THE 5TH P.M., SANBORN COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA. By recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Board motion by P. Larson, seconded by Blindauer, to approve the plat. All ayes; motion carried. 

A plat was presented for Greg Heil, A PLAT OF TRACTS 1 AND 2 OF HEIL’S ADDITION TO THE CITY OF WOONSOCKET, SANBORN COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA. By recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Board motion by Weber, seconded by S. Larson, to approve the plat. All ayes; motion carried. 

BID OPENING

All bids were opened regarding the mowing at the 4-H and archery building lots in Forestburg. Motion by S. Larson, seconded by Blindauer, to award the winning bid to Fred Knight for the cost of $200 per mow. P. Larson abstained. All ayes; motion carried:

Fred Knight – $200;

Carter Christian – $300;

Schlenker Mowing – $300;

L&P Lawn Care – $350;

Shelley Wheeler – $400;

Brooke King – $500;

Todd Spader – $580.

REPORTS AND BILLS

Motion by Blindauer, seconded by Weber, to pay the following bills. All ayes; motion carried:

Towns and Townships, Monthly Remittance $209,694.91 

First National Bank, State Remittance $4,094.99 

South Dakota Department of Revenue, Monthly Remittance $70,393.02 

South Dakota Association of County Officials, Monthly Remittance $168.00 

Archeology Laboratory, Services & Fees $655.11 

A-Ox, Supplies $19.67 

Amazon, Supplies $143.01 

Ashley Anson, Court Appointed Attorney Fees – Minors $1,031.30 

Aramark, Supplies $111.07 

AT&T, Phone Bill $53.50 

Beadle County Auditor, Yearly Payment for Victims Advocate $2,000.00 

Beadle County Sheriff, Jail Room and Board $4,415.00 

Blue, Wheeler & Banks, Court Appointed Attorney Fees – L. Mead $608.60 

Bound Tree, Supplies $34.79 

Budde Septic, Ambulance Building Clean-Out $228.00 

Central Electric, Electricity $313.52 

Certified Languages, Interpreter $11.55 

City of Woonsocket, Utilities $77.80 

State of South Dakota, Blood Alcohol Testing – A. Zotti and B. Anderson $80.00 

Express 2, Fuel $138.78 

Farnams Auto Parts, Supplies $356.29 

Fed Ex, Supplies $27.53 

First National Bank, Supplies $85.87 

Hillyard, Supplies $169.01 

Huron Regional Medical Center, Services and Fees – B. Suess and M. Flannery $3,452.29 

Jamie Miller, Supplies $49.97 

KO’s Pro Service, Repairs $89.15 

Lifequest, Quarterly Remittance $2,000.00 

Marla Feistner, Supplies $95.59 

Menard’s, Supplies $117.54 

Mobile Binders, Laminate Plats $792.00

NorthWestern Energy, Utilities $1,726.49

Office Peeps, Supplies $1,343.07

Dayna Opsahl, Supplies $101.16

Physicians Claims, Ambulance Service Fee $387.41 

Quadient, Postage $538.30 

Quadient, Machine Lease $645.48 

Runnings, Supplies $774.94 

Santel Communications, Phone Bill $1,110.97 

Sanborn Weekly Journal, Publishing $894.37 

Tech Solutions, Tech Support $2,990.00 

Waste Management, Garbage $192.00 

Woony Foods, Supplies $72.15 

Xcel Energy, Utilities $284.62 

Avera Health, Insurance $19,155.33

Aflac, Insurance $617.68

South Dakota Retirement System, Retirement $9,623.90 

Delta Dental, Insurance $409.60 

Small Business, Insurance $51.00 

Sanborn County Treasurer, Taxes $330.08 

Sun Life Financial, Insurance $37.11 

VSP, Insurance $181.94 

Cincinnati Insurance, Insurance $335.53 

EMC, Insurance $384.82 

Colonial Life, Insurance $366.78 

First National Bank, State Remittance $18,137.41 

First National Bank, Monthly Fee $27.56 

There being no further business before the board, motion by Weber, seconded by S. Larson, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. The next scheduled meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 11, 2021. 

Kami Moody

Sanborn County Auditor

Jeff Ebersdorfer

Chairman of the Board, 

Sanborn County