The Brookings County Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, October 21, 2003, with the following members present: Emil Klavetter, Deanna Santema, Mary Negstad, and Donald Larson.  Also present: Stephanie Vogel, Stacy Steffensen, Todd Struwe, Steve Minor, Ted Eggebraaten, Brad Wermers, Martin Stanwick, Mark Kratochvil, and Joyce Dragseth.  Commissioner Dennis Falken was absent for personal reasons.

Chairperson Emil Klavetter called the meeting to order.

CONSENT AGENDA
Chairperson Klavetter declared the Consent Agenda approved as amended without objection from the board.  The Consent Agenda consisted of the agenda for the October 21, 2003 Commission Meeting, and the minutes from the October 14, 2003 Commission Meeting, Welfare Matters, and Travel/Education Requests.  There were no Welfare Matters at this time.  Travel requests for Kris Bothwell and Cyndi Ault to attend Pro-Ed Professional Education Courses in Sioux Falls, SD, November 19-20, 2003 were approved.  A travel request for Robert Hill to attend the South Dakota Emergency Management Association Issues Meeting in Chamberlain, SD, October 22, 2003 was approved.  A travel request for Robert Hill to attend the two-day South Dakota Geospatial Information Forum in Pierre, SD, October 28-29, 2003 was approved.  A travel request for Robert Hill to attend the two-day South Dakota Planners Association Annual Meeting in Sioux Falls, SD, October 30-31, 2003 was approved.  A travel request for Mark Anawski to attend a two-day training for proper installation of child seat restraints in Flandreau, SD, October 14-15, 2003 was approved.

COMMISSION REPORTS
Commissioner Santema reported on the State Conference in Sioux Falls, SD, the Juvenile Justice Symposium in Huron, SD, the weed meeting, a road tour of the County Road 23 project, the East Central Mental Health Audit report, and the Towns and Townships meeting.  Commissioner Negstad reported on the State Conference in Sioux Falls, SD, the Soil Conservation District board meeting and the White Care Center court hearing.  Commissioner Larson reported on the State Conference in Sioux Falls, SD, the upcoming NACO national meeting, and Growth Partnership meetings.  Commissioner Klavetter reported on the State Conference in Sioux Falls, SD, the technology support interviews, the E911 meeting, and the profiling of a new City Manager for the City of Brookings.
 
ROUTINE BUSINESS
Election Supervisor Stacy Steffensen presented the Auditor’s Report.

Salaries and personnel changes for the month of September 2003 are as follows: Longevity Increase: Richard Larson $125.00; Susan VanderWal $55.00. Salary Changes: Richard Larson from $13.64 to $13.66; Stacy Steffensen from $11.29 to $11.52.  Position Changes: PT Correction Officer Shawn Holster @ 10.81/hour adding PT Deputy Sheriff @ $14.23/hour (up to 35 hours/week in combination of both positions.)  Equipment Operator, Dale Kneebone to Heavy Equipment Operator from $11.29/hour to $12.14/hour.  Resignation: PT Correctional Officer, Jeff Nilges.  New Employees: Don Swartos, Equipment Operator @ $12.14/hour. Commission $8,000.25; Auditor $9,993.67; Treasurer $11,089.25; States Attorney $15,967.86; Custodial $4,853.54; Equalization $17,358.54; Register of Deeds $7,399.41; Veterans Service $2,812.59; Sheriffs Office $32,537.39; Detention Center $28,698.28; Contract Law $6,165.32; Contract Law Elkton $1,503.98; Emergency Mgmt $5,058.02; Drainage $985.72; Highway $40,599.41; Welfare $2,740.19; Community Health $2,130.32; WIC $1,961.00; Extension $3,909.40; Soil Conservation $2,198.48; Weed $9,527.54; Zoning $2,976.71. Claims—AFLAC, insurance $2,065.62; AFLAC Flex-One $65.00; Delta Dental, insurance $2,085.05; Flex One, unreimbursed medical $1,137.00; Local Teamsters, union dues $939.00; SDRS, retirement $26,758.70; SDRS Supplemental, retirement $2,480.00; EFTPS $49,562.16; Wellmark Blue Cross, insurance $33,864.76.

Be it noted, the Highway transfers for the month of July 2003, $2,740.16, for the month of August 2003, $2,532.94 and for the month of September 2003, $2,477.77, were transferred for expenditures to increase the Highway budget due to work performed and supplies furnished for various non-Highway departments.

Commission Assistant/Personnel Director Stephanie Vogel presented the Commission Assistant/Personnel report.
Be it noted, the board approved a Personnel Action Notice for Deputy Mark Anawski.  Vogel also discussed performance reviews and the Department Head Performance Appraisal form.  She updated the board on union negotiations.  Vogel discussed a Pro-Val handout that featured the Brookings County Equalization Department, she gave the board a wage information spreadsheet for the State’s Attorney’s office, and she discussed the upcoming Joint City/County/School Meeting.

REGULAR BUSINESS
Emergency Management Director and County Executive Director with the Farm Service Agency, Steve Minor, met with the board to discuss a resolution of declaration of agricultural disaster for Brookings County.
Motion by Negstad, seconded by Santema, to approve Resolution #03-48, a Resolution for Declaration of Agricultural Disaster.  Roll call vote: Larson “Aye,” Negstad “Aye,” Santema “Aye,” Klavetter, “Aye.”  Motion passes.

WHEREAS, Brookings County South Dakota has suffered agricultural losses due to inadequate moisture as a result of lack of snowfall and rain in the winter of 2003 and continued lack of moisture through the summer and spring of the same year; and,

WHEREAS, losses from these elements have been estimated by the appropriate federal and state agricultural agencies to be alfalfa, other hay, pasture, and soybeans; and,

WHEREAS, additional losses to the corn crops may be experienced but not yet determined; and,

WHEREAS, the Brookings County Emergency Board has met and drafted Flash Situation Reports and/or FSA Damage Survey Reports for the effected area that substantiate these loses; and,

WHEREAS, the Brookings County Commission has been presented the appropriate materials to consider a disaster declaration, and has been asked to support such declaration;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Brookings County Board of Commissioners at a regular meeting held on October 21st, 2003, it is hereby requested of the Governor of the State of South Dakota to declare Brookings County an agricultural disaster area to enable producers affected by these adverse weather conditions to participate in disaster programs for the year 2003.

___________________  _____________________________________
Date                                 Chairperson of Brookings County Commission

___________________  _____________________________________
Date                                 Auditor of Brookings County
 

Highway Superintendent Ted Eggebraaten and Brad Wermers with Banner Associates met with the board to discuss highway matters.  Items discussed included county bridge issues, and the Towns and Townships Meeting.    Eggebraaten and Wermers updated the board on the County Road 23 project.  Items discussed included the speed zone on County Road 23 north of the city of Aurora, and shoulder work in the city of Aurora.  Be it noted, by consensus, the board agreed to an $11,348 Construction Change Order to do additional shoulder work in the city of Aurora.  Eggebraaten with bring a formal request a future meeting.  Also discussed were repairs to a road in Aurora, and the entrance off County Road 23 into the VeraSun Ethanol plant.

Sheriff Martin Stanwick met with the board to discuss a security camera and speaker that will be installed in the Commission Chambers.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion by Santema, seconded by Negstad, to enter into executive session at 9:25 a.m.  Roll call vote: Negstad “Aye,” Santema “Aye,” Larson “Aye,” Klavetter “Aye.”  Motion passes.  Present during the executive session were Deputy State’s Attorney Mark Kratochvil and Director of Equalization Joyce Dragseth.  Chairman Klavetter declared the executive session over at 9:48 a.m.  Reason: legal matters.  No action was taken at this time.

COMMISSIONER’S OPEN DISCUSSION
Be it noted, the board discussed the Towns and Townships Meeting and the SDACC’s endorsement of changes in the property tax freeze.

ADJOURNMENT
Chairperson Klavetter declared the meeting adjourned until 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 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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Stacy Steffensen
Brookings County Auditor’s Office