The Brookings County Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, January 21, 2003, with the following members present: Emil Klavetter, Deanna Santema, Dennis Falken, Don Larson, and Mary Negstad.  Also present: Stephanie Vogel, Kelly Bakken, David Rusten, C. Berlye Session, and Joyce Dragseth.

Chairperson Emil Klavetter called the meeting to order.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA / MINUTES
Chair Klavetter approved the agenda for January 21, 2003 meeting as mailed.  All voting “Aye.”  Motion by Falken, seconded by Negstad, to approve the minutes for the January 14, 2003 meeting approved as amended.  All voting “Aye.”

DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS
Zoning and Drainage Supervisor, David Rusten met with the board to give an update on the Stock Growers meeting he attended in Pierre, SD.

Director of Equalization, C. Beryle Sessions and Deputy, Joyce Dragseth met with the board to distribute the Brookings County Statistical Report for Ag and Non Ag Sales.  Sessions and Dragseth updated the board on Owner Occupied matters and concerns with the Tax Incremental District values with VeraSun Energy.

Commission Assistant/Personnel Director, Stephanie Vogel presented the board with the Report of Personnel Action for the Emergency Management Director, Todd Struwe.  Motion by Negstad, seconded by Santema, to approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Report of Personnel Action for Emergency Management Director, Todd Struwe.  Effective January 1, 2003 the annual salary for the Emergency Management Director is $35,066.48.  All voting “Aye.”

OTHER MATTERS
Motion by Falken, seconded by Negstad, to approve the recommendations of the Brookings County Welfare Director for the following applications for County assistance. Case # 03-007 for rent was approved; Case # 03-008 for hospital was approved. All voting “Aye.”

Motion by Santema, seconded by Falken to approve the following travel and education requests.  Director of Equalization Appraiser, Kris Bothwell to attend the ECMD Adult Education Classes ‘Who Moved my Cheese’ and ‘Stress Management’ in Brookings, SD on January 30, 2003 and February 4, 2003.  Director of Equalization Clerk II, Doris Knutson to attend the ECMD Adult Education Class ‘Speak Out’ in Brookings, SD on January 29, 2003.  All Department Heads to go to County Day in Pierre, SD on January 30-31, 2003. All voting “Aye.”

Deputy Auditor, Kelly Bakken presented the board with the Auditors Report.  Bakken distributed a letter from Third Judicial Circuit Court Presiding Judge, Rodney J. Steele regarding the increase of Court Appointed Attorney Fees.  Be it noted, effective January 1, 2003, the Court Appointed Attorney Fees will be $71.00 per hour.

Be it noted, Register of Deeds statement of fees was filed in the County Auditor’s Office collected for the month of December 2002 in the amount of $19,361.00.

Commission Assistant/Personnel Director, Stephanie Vogel presented the board with the Commission Assistant/Personnel Director Report.  Vogel updated the board on the 1921 Building transfer agreement

Chair Klavetter updated the board on the upcoming 2003 Election for a County Commissioner Representative to the SDRS Board of Trustees and discussed the transfer agreement on the 1921 Building.

Festival of Lights Committee Chair, Cheryl Anderson met with the board to discuss the 2003 Festival of Lights.  Motion by Falken, seconded by Negstad, to allocate $300.00 for the 2003 Festival of Lights from the Public Relations line of the 2003 Commission Budget.  All voting “Aye.”

Motion by Negstad, seconded by Santema, to go into executive session at 9:39am.  All voting “Aye.”  Chair Klavetter declared executive session over at 11:15am.  Reason – Contractual and Personnel Matters.  No action at this time.

Motion by Falken, seconded by Santema, to authorize the Chair to sign the Agreement by and between General Drivers & Helpers Union Local 749 Affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the Brookings County Highway Department.  Effective January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2003.  All voting “Aye.”

ADJOURNMENT
The Chair declared the meeting adjourned until 8:30am Tuesday, January 28, 2003.

It is the policy of Brookings County, South Dakota, not to discriminate against the Handicapped in Employment or the Provision of Service.  The County of Brookings is responsive to requests for communication aids and the need to provide appropriate access, and will provide alternative formats and accessible locations consistent with the Americans With Disabilities Act.
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Kelly Bakken
Deputy Auditor
Brookings County Auditor’s Office