December 22, 2025 - Year End
STANLEY COUNTY COMMISSION
MINUTES
December 22, 2025
The special meeting of the Stanley County Commission was called to order at 5:00 P.M. (CT) by Chairman Craig Heller with Commissioners Mike Kenzy, Dana Iversen, Sonny Harrowa and Gary Grittner. Also, present was State’s Attorney Tom P. Maher, Director of Equalization Jodi Bothwell, Bob Coverdale, Raymond Tibbs, Darla Tibbs, Levi Tibbs, Mindy Kirkpatrick, Larry McQuistion, Kris Jacobsen, and Auditor Philena Burtch. The meeting commenced with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Auditor Burtch would like to amend the Agenda by adding the 2026 Brule County Jail Contract.
AGENDA: Motion by Gary Grittner, second by Sonny Harrowa, to approve the amended Agenda. All voted Aye. Motion Carried.
CLAIMS: Motion by Dana Iversen, second by Sonny Harrowa, to approve Claims as presented. All voted Aye. Motion Carried.
AIRTECH HEATING & COOLING INC 137.50 FRGRNDS MAINT
AMERICAN MEDICAL RESPONSE INC 4035.85 DECEMBER SUBSIDY BILLING
AVERA ST MARYS HOSPITAL 305.83 MEDICAL CARE
BUTLER MACHINERY CO 257.85 R&B MAINT/SUPPL/865C
CAPITAL AREA COUNSELING INC 1750.00 MCR NOVEMBER
CELERITY INTERNET 146.89 FRGRNDS WIFI
CENTRAL CAISSONS INC 2400.00 R&B EQUIP RENTAL - E26
CENTURY BUSINESS PRODUCTS 227.61 OFFICE COPIER LEASE & COPIES
CENTURYLINK 85.28 4 CORNERS REPEATER
COLUMN SOFTWARE PBC 238.56 COMM MINS
COMMTECH INC 1064.98 EXT EQUIP
COWBOY COUNTRY STORES 203.20 GOV BLDG/FRGRNDS FUEL
JLF ENTERPRISES INC 97.11 FRGRNDS/R&B SUPPL
FLOYD'S TRUCK CENTER 79.44 R&B SUPPL
FORT PIERRE CITY 144618.95 DUE TO CITY OF FORT PIERRE
GRAHAM TIRE COMPANY 169.61 R&B MAINT/SUPPL-TR1
GROSSENBURG IMPLEMENT OF PIERR 587.61 R&B SUPPL
HUGHES COUNTY FINANCE OFFICE 19958.00 NOV JAIL BILL/ANNUAL VSO
JC OFFICE SUPPLIES 56.35 R&B SUPPL
JC OFFICE SUPPLIES 352.21 AUD SUPPL
JENNER EQUIPMENT COMPANY 214.75 R&B MAINT/SUPPL-BCT595
JUSTIN JONES 54.00 R&B TRAVEL
LAMB'S CHEVROLET & IMPLEMENT 504.37 GOV BLDG MAINT
LAWSON PRODUCTS INC 159.50 R&B MAINT/SUPPL
LITTLE FALLS MACHINE INC 127.34 R&B MAINT/SUPPL
LOCATORS & SUPPLIES INC 403.39 R&B MAINT/SUPPL
BRENDA LOUNSBURY 720.00 BLOOD TESTS-SEPT-DEC
THOMAS P MAHER 90.57 NOVEMBER EXPENSES
MCLEOD'S PRINTING & OFFICE SUP 299.90 AUD SUPPL
MENARDS - PIERRE 631.92 GOV BLDG/DOE SUPPL
WILL & JENNIFER MEYER 120.00 4H FINALS STALL REFUND
MG OIL COMPANY 223.88 R&B SUPPL
MICROFILM IMAGING SYSTEMS INC 395.00 ROD EQUIP RENTAL
MID DAKOTA VEGETATION MNGT 6825.00 W&P SPRAYING
M0 SHORES DOMESTIC VIOL CENTER 800.00 ANNUAL SUPPORT
MORRIS INC 61.02 R&B SUPPL
NAPA 44.99 R&B SUPPL
KIRBY O'DEA 26.00 R&B TRAVEL
CITY OF PIERRE 110.00 MED DIR - NOV
PITNEY BOWES INC 464.05 POSTAGE PURCHASE POWER
QUILL CORPORATION 3409.45 TREAS/DOE/ROD/AUD SUPPL
RUNNINGS SUPPLY INC 690.99 R&B SUPPL
RUNNINGS SUPPLY INC 1045.97 FRGRNDS MAINT
STANLEY COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT 325.71 US MARSHAL SRVC REIMB
STANLEY COUNTY SCHOOL DIST 297530.00 DUE TO SC SCHOOL
SD DEPT OF REVENUE 69031.90 MV/VITALS/MENTAL ILL
SD PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY 385.00 BLOOD TESTS/CORONER
SD ASSN OF COUNTY OFFICIALS 70.00 ROD M/P FUND
SERVALL UNIFORM/LINEN CO 88.43 GOV BLDG SUPPL
SHANE'S PHARMACY 26.52 MEDICAL CARE
SIEBRASSE LAW OFFICE PC 828.00 JUV
DON LEE SMITH 500.00 R&B EQUIP REIMB
K THOMPSON LAW PROF LLC 929.28 CRT APPT ATTRNY
WHEELHOUSE PLUMBING INC 644.40 FRGRNDS MAINT
WIND CIRCLE NETWORK INC 3085.08 LE COMMUNICATION RACK
WW TIRE SERVICE INC 74.95 R&B REPAIR-T11
ZANDER AUTO PARTS 533.43 R&B SUPPL
ZANDER AUTO PARTS 7.99 FRGRNDS MAINT
Conflict of Interest Declaration: No Conflict of Interest was declared.
Ordinance 2025-01 – Stanley County Wind Energy System Ordinance Second & Final Reading:
Director of Equalization Jodi Bothwell read the Second & Final Reading of the Stanley County Wind Energy Systems Ordinance #2025-01
The purpose of this ordinance is to ensure that the placement, construction, and modification of a Wind Energy System is consistent with Stanley County’s land use policies, to minimize the impact of Wind Energy Systems facilities, to establish a fair and efficient process for review and approval of applications, to assure a comprehensive review of environmental impact of such facilities, and to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the county’s citizens.
There are seven sections within this ordinance. Section 101 consists of 46 Definitions.
Section 102 is Applicability, which states what type of turbines these regulations apply to. It states what type of turbines the SD Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has siting authority for. That SDCL 49-41B-25.1 requires small wind energy projects with a combined capacity that exceeds 5 megawatts are to file a notice with the PUC four months prior to construction.
Section 103 is the Federal & State Requirements that a Wind Energy Systems facility shall meet or exceed.
Section 104 states that the Planning & Zoning Director may require the applicant to pay for a third-party technical study of a proposed facility.
Section 105 is the Requirements for the siting of a Wind Energy Systems. This is where the ordinance will state which zones prohibit WES, what permits are needed, along with other specifications, but not limited to topics such as construction of roads, setbacks, turbine spacing, feeder lines and flicker analysis.
Section 106 states what information, documentation and permits are required to apply for a Conditional Use Permit.
Section 107 is Decommissioning. This section states Decommissioning Period, Decommissioning Requirements, Decommissioning Plan, Financial Assurance and Failure to Decommission.
Comments: Section 107 Decommissioning is similar to Sully County and Grant County ordinances. To modify verbiage to include that a bond can also be in place for the cost of the decommissioning project.
Written Submissions: Dean VanDeWiele with South Dakota Department of Transportation submitted information stating all accesses along a state highway will need to be in compliance with SD Administrative Rules in Article 70:09.
Any modifications to section line roads off of state highways to accommodate turning movements (example would be grading/surfacing/pipe extensions) would require an access permit prior to adjusting the intersecting road.
Signing for public safety along a State highway are also considerations.
I will leave it to you to decide if the comments above should be incorporated into the ordinance. I have no strong opinion on that. After reading the ordinance I just thought this would be beneficial to share with the commissioners.
Suggestions: There were no suggestions.
There are no significant changes, Motion by Dana Iversen, second by Sonny Harrowa, to adopt Stanley County Wind Energy System Ordinance 2025-01, with bond clarification. Roll Call Vote. Harrowa voted Aye. Iversen voted Aye. Kenzy voted Aye. Grittner voted Aye. Motion Carried.
Resolution 2025-18 Energy Alternative Moratorium is not needed since WES Ordinance 2025-01 has been adopted.
Amendments to be considered for Ordinance 2025-01 are defining substantial/considerable notice of intent during first phase, 5 mile setback from Corps take-back line and increase general liability policy covering bodily injury and property damage from two million dollars to five million dollars per occurrence and from five million dollars to fifteen million dollars in aggregate. These will be presented for public comment during a public hearing at a later date.
Highway Department – New Hire: Motion by Gary Grittner, second by Dana Iversen, to approve New Hire of Highway Department Rayden Rodriquez, starting wage of $20.00 per hour, with two (2) 50¢ raises, one at 6 months, one at 12 months, with Supervisor approval, plus any cost-of-living increase approved by Commission for all County employees, including benefits. Effective December 11, 2025. All voted Aye. Motion Carried.
Resignation – Deputy Coroner Jill Richardson: Motion by Mike Kenzy, second by Sonny Harrowa, to accept the resignation of Deputy Coroner Jill Richardson, effective November 25, 2025. All voted Aye. Motion Carried. Coroner Gary Grittner thanked Jill Richardson for her 10 years of service as Deputy Coroner.
Resolution 2025-19 Contingency Transfer – Judicial System, Court Appointed Attorney, Juvenile Detention, Care of Poor, Mental Illness, Planning & Zoning: Motion by Sonny Harrowa, second by Mike Kenzy, to approve Resolution 2025-19 Contingency Transfer for Judicial System, Court Appointed Attorney, Juvenile Detention, Care of Poor, Mental Illness, Planning & Zoning, total transfer $35,700.00. All voted Aye. Motion Carried.
RESOLUTION 2025–19
CONTINGENCY TRANSFER
WHEREAS, insufficient appropriation was made in the 2025 adopted budget for the Judicial Systems, Court Appointed Attorney, Juvenile Detention, Care of Poor, Mental Ill, and Planning & Zoning departments to discharge just obligations of said appropriations: and
WHEREAS SDCL 7-21-32.2 provides that transfers be made by resolution of the board from the contingency appropriation established pursuant to SDCL 7-21-6.1 to other appropriations;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the appropriation be transferred from the Contingency budget 101-112-429.0 - $35,700.00, to the Judicial Court Reporter budget 101-130-422.10 - $4,510.00; to Court Appointed Attorney Services Adult budget 101-153-422.00 - $12,000.00; to Juvenile Detention budget 101-215-429.00 - $3,480.00; to Care of Poor Hospital Account budget 101-411-422.0 - $10,365.00; to Mentally Ill Professional Services budget 101-441-422.00 - $4,035.00; Planning & Zoning Salary budget 101-711-411.0 - $1,310.00
Motion by Sonny Harrowa, second by Mike Kenzy, to approve Contingency Transfer in the amount of Judicial Court Reporter - $4,510.00; to Court Appointed Attorney Services Adult - $12,000.00; to Juvenile Detention - $3,480.00; to Care of Poor Hospital Account - $10,365.00; to Mentally Ill Professional Services - $4,035; Planning & Zoning Salary - $1,310.00. All voted Aye. Motion Carried.
Dated this 22nd day of December 2025.
ATTEST: BOARD OF STANLEY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
(SEAL)
Philena Burtch, Auditor Craig Heller, Chairman
2026 Brule County Jail Contract: Motion by Dana Iversen, second by Mike Kenzy, to accept and approve Chairman Heller to sign the 2026 Brule County Jail Contract. All voted Aye. Motion Carried.
Emergency Management & Disaster: Gary Grittner made a motion to disassociate from Hughes County Emergency Management & Disaster beginning 2026. The responsibilities are not the same between the two counties. A second motion was not received. The motion did not pass. Sonny Harrowa would like Stanley County Emergency Management Liaison Dustin Baxter to be present at the next meeting to be part of the discussion.
Christmas and New Year Holiday – Stanley County offices will be closed Wednesday-Friday December 24-26, and Thursday January 1st.
ADJOURN: Motion by Dana Iversen, second by Sonny Harrowa, to adjourn at 5:38 P.M. (CT). All voted Aye. Motion Carried.
ATTEST: BOARD OF STANLEY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
(SEAL)
Philena Burtch, Auditor Craig Heller, Chairman