Lincoln County Commission approves mitigation plan agreement, considers repairs to Sheriff’s vehicle

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners met Tuesday, Oct. 13. With all members present, the commission heard agenda items including an emergency management agreement and surplus vehicle sales. 

Emergency Management Coordinator Harold Timmerman requested board action to authorize the Emergency Manager to execute a Sub-Recipient Agreement between Lincoln County and the State of South Dakota Department of Public Safety Office of Emergency Management. 

“It’s time to start the update on our pre-disaster mitigation plan. That plan, if we have it in place, covers both Minnehaha and Lincoln Counties jointly. Last time it was updated, Minnehaha went through the process to do it, and it’s not Lincoln County’s turn. This plan makes it possible for entities within the county, cities, townships, and private nonprofits to apply for funding to do projects,” he said. 

“A percentage of each disaster declaration goes into a fund in Pierre to fund this grant. Our requirement from the county is an in-kind match and the dollar amount expended by the county is zero,” he continued. 

With no public input, a motion to approve was made by Joel Arends, seconded by Herman Otten; motion carried unanimously.

Sheriff Steve Swenson requested board discussion with action to follow to declare as surplus and remove from the Sheriff’s inventory a 2022 Chevy Tahoe Vin # 1GNSKLED2NR271894, at 132,050 miles; and authorize the Auditor to advertise and proceed with an online auction. 

“We need to surplus this vehicle because the engine blew on it. I have been looking online, and they are bringing between $25-30,000. I have no idea what this will bring with a bad motor. I had two estimates done on the vehicle, one to replace the lifters, which was around $24,000, or an outfit in Tea that will put a new motor in for $7,000,” he said. 

Chairwoman Tiffani Landeen asked for public comment on the agenda item; Linda Montgomery stood to speak. 

“I would like you to vote with Commissioner [Doug] Putnam, it sounds like he’s finally bringing some money in,” she said. 

Motion to advertise for repairs to the vehicle made by Arends, seconded by Putnam; motion carried unanimously.