Buffalo County commissioners approve $22,000 medical bill, reassign Highway hours and OK DOT pavement-marking agreement

The Buffalo County Board of Commissioners met May 6, 2024, and approved a series of routine administrative and budgetary actions. Vice Chair Donita Loudner moved to accept the agenda and to approve several minutes and licenses; Commissioner Rex Zastrow seconded motions where recorded, and the board carried each motion by recorded unanimous votes.

Key approvals included payment of a $22,000 medical bill and authorization to reassign up to 8 hours per week of Highway budget labor to the Buffalo County Courthouse for upkeep, mowing and landscaping. The reassignment was proposed by Commissioner Rex Zastrow and seconded by Vice Chair Donita Loudner; the motion carried with all voting Aye.

Highway Superintendent Tanner Grohs presented fuel quotes from Total Oil, Inc. (Unleaded $3.45/gal; Ethanol $3.12/gal; Diesel #2 Dyed Premium $3.09/gal; the record shows Diesel #1 Dyed Premium $0.00 as recorded in the minutes). The board voted to accept the quotes. The board also approved a Joint Powers Agreement with the State of South Dakota Department of Transportation to provide pavement marking of county roads within Buffalo County; that motion was moved by Loudner and seconded by Zastrow.

The commissioners authorized the Highway Superintendent and the Auditor to open and accept or reject bids for a pickup or road groomer; bids were set to close at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, 2024. The board approved 2024–2025 Uniform Alcoholic Beverage License applications for Ken’s, Shelby’s and Lynn’s.

Auditor/Recorder Debra Morrison reported county financials showing a bank balance of $1,949,593.76, a certificate of deposit of $200,000.00 and $400.00 in cash and cash items for a recorded total of $2,149,993.76. The board approved vouchers and payroll as recorded in the minutes; the minutes list Total Regular Hours as 478 and Total Payroll as $33,809.81 (gross salaries as noted in the minutes), Total Claims for Apportionments $73,666.58 and Total Check Amount $50,968.94.

The commissioners entered an executive session at 1:15 p.m. to discuss litigation and exited at 1:35 p.m.; the minutes record no action taken during that session. The meeting concluded with the board setting its next regular meeting for June 6, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. and adjourning by unanimous vote.

The minutes are routine and reflect administrative approvals and financial processing; no contested deliberations or substantive policy changes are recorded.