Commissioners considers rezoning ordinances
The Lincoln County Commission met Tuesday, Sept. 19 in the Lincoln County Boardroom. With all members present, the Commission heard agenda items including
The Commissioners started the meeting off with the first reading for two ordinances. The first is an Ordinance of Lincoln County, SD, rezoning the property legally described as Lot 8A, Mueller’s 4th Addition, SE1/4, Section 19-T100N-R50W Delapre Township from the “A-1” Agricultural District to the “I-1” Light Industrial District, and amending the Official Zoning Map of the Lincoln County and the City of Sioux Falls Joint Jurisdiction Area. The Lincoln County Planning Commission and the City of Sioux Falls Planning Commission both recommend approval.
The second is for an Ordinance of Lincoln County, SD, rezoning the property legally described as a portion (approximately 1 acre) of the property legally described as SE1/4 SE1/4 (Ex: Lot H-1 and Tract 1 of Weber Addition), Section 8-T100N-R49W Springdale Township from the “A-1” Agricultural District to the “C” Commercial District, and amending the Official Zoning Map of the Lincoln County and the City of Sioux Falls Joint Jurisdiction Area. The Lincoln County Planning Commission and the City of Sioux Falls Planning Commission both recommend denial. No motions were made on either first reading and the public will have a chance to speak on each at the second reading on Sept. 26.
Traci Humphrey, Human Resources Director, joined the meeting to discuss and get approval of the reorganization of the Highway Shop.
“Earlier this year, the highway Superintendent reached out to HR to discuss the needs of the department and the organization and to address these. We’ve worked with various members of the department as well as collaborating with the Commission administrative officer once he got here in July and we’ve also researched how counties are structured and reviewed what is happening and what can happen for the future to help long term sustainability,” she said.
Humphrey explained to Commissioners the only amendment to the proposal is that it would take place on November 5 if the board approved.
“We talked about how the operation supervisor position was created about 10 years ago and since then has changed and evolved and is now currently more of an administrative position in reviewing for safety and efficiency we recommend the creation of a new position in the in the highway shop called the Assistant Highway Superintendent,” she said.
In addition to cost savings, current staff would be able to function more efficiently by not having to call an engineering consultant as often for minor inquiries. Lincoln County would still need an engineering consultant for most bridge, large structure and bridge inspection projects.
“In order to make this proposal fairly cost neutral for the county so that’s what we’re wanting to do as well is that we’re proposing the deletion of three positions one full-time equipment operator and two summer workers all these positions are currently vacant and would be removed from the staffing plan for the highway shop,” she said.
“In some of the research that I see in your chart here the project engineer answers to the Assistant Highway Superintendent who then obviously reports to the highway Superintendent is there a reason for creating that kind of buffer between the departments chief engineer which I assume that person is going to be the chief engineer and the actual highway Superintendent,” questioned Commissioner Joel Arends.
“Depending on the county that we looked at the Assistant Highway Superintendent often is the one who has maybe more of the engineering credentials or experience so they’re collaborating with that focused project engineer and whereas that is Highway Superintendent and Assistant Highway Superintendent are supposed to be looking at all of the projects and working with that engineer and then they’re just reporting back to the highway Superintendent,” Humphrey responded.
Motion by Schmidt, Seconded by Poppins. Motion passed.
Commission Admin Officer, Stephen Rasmussen requested board action to approve and authorize the Chair to execute the amendment to the Lincoln County Courthouse Survey and Environmental Agreement with Stockwell Engineers, Inc. for $5,000.
“This is an amendment to the Stockwell agreement this would include the H-lot plat that we’ll need for the condemned property which is the subject of the eminent domain resolution from our previous Commission meeting, and this will cover the survey,” he said.
With no questions or comments, the motion passed unanimously.
Auditor, Sheri Lund requested board action to approve and adopt the 2024 Provisional Budget as the annual budget of appropriations and expenditures for Lincoln County, its institutions, and agencies for 2024.
“So after the hearing that we had on September 5th I did do the changes that were requested and I’m asking to approve and adopt the 2024 provisional budget as the annual budget for appropriations and expenditures for Lincoln County it’s institutions and agencies for 2024,” Lund said.
Motion carried