Aaron Jordan

The meeting agenda focuses on the convening of the Board of Equalization to conduct property valuation reviews. Key items include the consideration of recommendations from the Meade County Director of Equalization regarding property valuations for multiple properties, including those associated with Jack and Laurie Hanson, Mark Beauvais, and Allison Creed.

The commission reviewed and approved several agenda items, including a residential fence variance and multiple property plat applications. Specific approvals were granted for variances related to home construction, a land swap between a private landowner and the City to reflect actual land use, and plat approvals for a new brewery site. Additionally, the commission addressed boundary adjustments for a subdivision and a lot division involving property along Bear Butte Creek for potential transfer to the City.

The key discussion topics included a variance request from Sam Mudlin for a carport setback at 716 Sherman Street, with staff recommending denial unless the gravel driveway is hard surfaced. Several preliminary and final plat applications were reviewed, including those for the Anderson, Kinzler, Baseline Surveying, KTM Design Solutions, Inc., Kolda/Sinner, and O'Connor properties, requiring recommendations to the Sturgis City Council. Significant discussion involved the approval of Tax Increment Finance Districts (TIFD #16 and TIFD #18) and their associated project plans, the latter concerning a senior living facility development, and the preliminary plat for the associated Trailhead Subdivision. TIFD #19 for a housing development and park area was also approved. Final plats for Marcotte Tract subdivision and Lot 1A Revised/Lot 2 Revised in R&R Addition were considered, along with a preliminary plat for Hurley Subdivision.

Key discussions during the meeting included the approval of the previous minutes and financial reports, which were reported as generally ordinary, noting interest income and summer reading program expenditures funded by grant money. The board reviewed the second quarter endowment report from the Community Foundation. A future action item concerning the Duntrust CD maturing in August was noted. The director reported positive statistics, including increased attendance for the summer reading program. Facility updates detailed ongoing issues with corroding automatic faucet wires, necessitating replacement with ADA compliant handles. The director also presented a wish list to the County Commissioners, requesting a $6,000 increase to the book buying budget to offset discount reductions and fund additional eBook purchases, specifically for children's materials to improve availability. The second wish list item was a potential $30,000 to $40,000 project for replacing tile flooring with vinyl in work areas and walkways. Significant discussion centered on ongoing courier issues affecting interlibrary loan numbers, with a meeting scheduled to resolve service interruptions, especially concerning the Black Hills area. The director also reported on the budget request submitted to the County Commissioners, which involved a four percent increase, with shifts in funding allocation away from hotspots towards KOHA and Overdrive/Libby. Unfinished business focused on finalizing changes to temporary card and new patron checkout rules, proposing an eight-week probationary period instead of a deposit requirement, and implementing a system where parents sign to accept financial responsibility for equipment use, including explicit replacement costs for items like drones.

The agenda for the meeting included the approval of minutes from a previous session. The primary action items involved a preliminary plat application for 2214 Junction Avenue, consideration for variances to setbacks on a non-conforming lot at 1919 Sherman Street, and consideration for variances to front and rear setbacks at 1823 Spruce Street. Staff made recommendations for approval on all action items, citing hardship due to lot narrowness, utility location, and special circumstances regarding sewer lines. The meeting also provided a slot for public comment.