Commission approves jailer resignation and hire; auditor briefs commissioners on elections and finances

At its March 28 meeting the Charles Mix County Board of Commissioners approved personnel and administrative items including the resignation of jailer Audree Iron Elk and the hiring of Christian Ross as a jailer at $20.61 per hour (hire effective March 21, resignation effective March 14). The personnel motions were moved by Vice Chairman Colin Soukup and seconded by Commissioner Nick Stotz and were recorded as carried.

The board also approved a new postage machine lease (motion by Soukup; second by Stotz). Auditor Jason Gant provided an update covering the process and costs of hand‑counting ballots versus using a tabulating machine, the expected 2024 primary candidates, upcoming April meetings, Lone Tree Township rural infrastructure funds, receipt of Platte‑Geddes School money and installation of a new phone system that day. No formal decisions on elections equipment or township disbursements were recorded at the meeting.

Commissioners voted to enter executive session at 11:45 a.m. under SDCL 1‑25‑2 to discuss personnel with Auditor Gant present. The executive session concluded at 11:57 a.m., and the board announced no action had been taken in executive session. The meeting adjourned at 11:59 a.m.; the next regular meetings were set for April 9 and April 23 at 10:00 a.m. at the courthouse.