Union County commissioners approve $50,116 sheriff vehicle purchase, grant signature and fiber permit

The Union County Board of Commissioners on April 30, 2024, approved several routine items and three substantive actions: the sheriff's office was authorized to purchase a Chevrolet Silverado for $50,116, Vice Chairman Richard Headid was authorized to sign the annual SDSU Chemical and Labor Grant contract, and the board approved a permit for Premier Communications to plow fiber optic along County Road #14.

The vehicle purchase was approved by motion (mover: Commissioner Joffer; second: Commissioner Michael Dailey) and carried without further recorded discussion. The minutes list the purchase price as $50,116.00 and record the authorization as being for the sheriff's office to proceed with the purchase.

On the SDSU grant, the board (motion by Commissioner Tom Kimmel, second by Commissioner Michael Dailey) authorized Vice Chairman Richard Headid to sign the yearly SDSU Chemical and Labor Grant contract. The minutes do not specify contract amounts or additional conditions in the public record for this meeting.

Highway Superintendent Jerry Buum presented highway matters and the board approved an application permit allowing Premier Communications to plow in fiber optic along County Road #14 (motion by Commissioner Michael Dailey, second by Commissioner Joffer). The minutes record the permit approval as carried; no specific construction schedule or traffic-control conditions are listed in the minutes.

Several routine personnel and travel items were approved on the consent portion of the agenda: travel for Shawn Tabke to attend the SD Master Gardener meeting in Watertown on Sept. 28, 2024; rehiring Don Offerdahl as part-time Weed & Pest labor/sprayer effective April 24, 2024 at an hourly rate of $17.97; and travel for Renee Irwin to attend SD Law Enforcement Training & Grant Writing Workshop in Pierre June 10-11 at a listed cost of $495. The board also voted to upgrade the county's internet service to 2G with Midco.

The meeting record shows motions for routine items were carried by the full quorum present (Commissioners Michael Dailey, Joffer, Tom Kimmel and Vice Chairman Richard Headid; Commissioner Milton Ustad was recorded absent).

What happens next: the authorization to purchase the vehicle and to sign the SDSU grant contract allow county staff to complete procurement and grant-signing steps. The minutes do not record further conditions, contract amounts beyond the vehicle purchase price, or a timeline for the fiber work.