Theresa Hodges

The meeting included the adoption of the agenda and the election of the 2026 Chairman, Brian Johnson, and Vice Chairman, Suzanne Smith. Discussions included public comments regarding the courthouse facility and election integrity. The Sheriff's office provided an update, and three prisoner housing agreements with Edmunds County Jail and Beadle County were approved. Commissioners were appointed to various boards for 2026, and a resolution was adopted designating official county newspapers for 2026. Several other resolutions were adopted concerning compensation for election boards, setting per diems for county boards, designating chattel mortgage sale locations, designating bank depositories for 2026, establishing weight limit enforcement on county roads, setting burial fees, and fixing the number of deputies and clerks in county offices. The Commission appointed the Board of Commissioners to the Drainage Board and Planning & Zoning Board. The meeting also addressed a second reading of rezoning changes, received a legislative update, reviewed an MOU with SDSU for the 4-H program, adopted the 2026 non-mandated fee schedule with noted changes, set future meeting dates, approved property tax abatements, reviewed 2026 salaries for various departments, approved expense requests, and allowed claims and reports, including December payroll and various vendor payments.

The meeting agenda was adopted with an addition for public comment. Key discussions included recessing to convene as the Planning & Zoning Board, holding a rezoning hearing for property reclassification from AG to Commercial (with a second reading scheduled for January 6, 2026), and reviewing year-end budget and cash balance analyses. The Commission approved a significant payment to payoff the Law Enforcement Center lease. Numerous contingency budget transfers were executed, including transfers to the Sheriff, Mental Health, and a large transfer for the Law Enforcement Center lease payoff and Road & Bridge Construction. An executive session was held to discuss personnel, resulting in no action taken. Finally, various claims and reports for multiple departments, including the Sheriff, Ambulance, and Road & Bridge Administration, were approved.

The proceedings included the adoption of the agenda and the review of correspondence regarding SDDOT State Planning & Research Program for Local Governments. Public comment addressed data center ordinances. The Auditor filed the General Fund Surplus Analysis. The Sheriff's office requested and received approval to eliminate the part-time pay scale for dispatchers, setting new hourly rates based on certification requirements. An annual review of open meeting laws was conducted. The Commission approved six applications for the Rural Access Infrastructure Grant concerning culvert replacements in various townships and the county secondary road. Bids for motor graders were reviewed, and a bid from RDO Equipment Co. was approved. Personnel actions included accepting two Equipment Operator resignations and advertising the open positions. The Register of Deeds filed the Yearly Report for 2025. Following a recess as the Planning & Zoning Board, the Commissioners appointed the Spink County Board of Commissioners to the Spink County Weed & Pest Board. A resolution designating designees authorized to request assistance from the State Wildland Fire Coordinator was adopted. The Commission approved a revised rental agreement layout for the fairgrounds and a lease agreement for the fairgrounds with the City of Redfield through 2031. Quotes for a printer for the States Attorney's office were approved, along with expense requests for training conferences. Claims and reports were approved, and initial readings for Data Center ordinances were set for a future date.

The Commission adopted the agenda, including the addition of public comment. Key discussions included a rezoning hearing for properties to be reclassified from AG to Commercial, where a second reading was scheduled for January 6, 2026. The Auditor reviewed year-end budget and cash balance projections. The Board approved the payoff of the Law Enforcement Center lease. Several transfers were executed from the Commissioners' Contingency Budget, Automatic Budget Supplements, and Budgeted Cash Transfers, notably funding the Law Enforcement Center lease payoff and supplementing the Road & Bridge Fund Cash. The Board also entered a brief executive session to discuss personnel matters before approving various claims and reports.

The Spink County Board of Commissioners meeting included discussions and actions on various topics. The agenda and minutes were approved. The Attorney General's opinion on HB 1130 regarding elections was reviewed. The Sheriff provided an update on activities, requested a personnel pay step increase, filed a jail bed per diem contract, and reviewed outstanding bills and grant reimbursements. The 2026 salaries for various positions were set, and a $1/hr raise was approved for other employees. Bridge inspections were reviewed, and the board convened as the Planning & Zoning Board before reconvening as the Board of Commissioners. Updates were given on highway activities, and a lead worker position was opened for promotion. A legislative audit engagement for fiscal years 2023 and 2024 was reviewed. The purchase of a second Avel Telemedicine unit was approved for the ambulance service. Budget supplements were made, and the Recapitulation of Taxes for 2025 pay 2026 was reviewed. Expense requests were approved, and claims and reports were allowed.