Commission addresses liquor license transfers, budget adjustments

The Lincoln County Commission met Tuesday, October 8 in the Lincoln County Boardroom. With all members present, Commissioners heard agenda items including liquor license transfers, raffles, and safety plans. 

Commission Recorder, Alicia Cafaro, read the commission a public hearing to consider an application for the transfer of a Retail (On sale) Liquor License to operate outside a municipality from Land-Lar, LLC to Raj & Son Fuel, LLC., at Carlson Tract 2 in the S 1/2 of the SW 1/4, 31-96N-50, 46016 SD Hwy 46, Beresford, Lincoln County, SD 57004. 

The applicant was not present at the meeting and there were no proponents or opponents to state their opinion. 

Commissioner Jim Schmidt asked if anyone had done any checking into the potential sale and asked if background checks had been completed on either party. 

Auditor Sheri Lund joined the meeting to answer questions. 

“This is what would be called My Bar down in Beresford. It is going from Land-Lar to Raj & Son. Raj & Son originally owned the liquor license, and they leased it to Land-Lar, so now it’s just transferring it back because she’s closing the business,” Lund said. 

Motion by Mike Poppens, seconded by Schmidt, motion carried. 

Auditor Lund read the next public hearing pursuant to SDCL 7-21-22.

This was for the purpose of adopting the following supplements to the 2024 Budget: A supplement adding to the Information Technology budget $5,170.00 due to resolution 2312-44 passed on 12.26.2023 change in step increases and change in insurance coverage; increase in Treasurer budget in the amount of 7,837.00 due to resolution 2312-44 passed on 12.26.2023 change in step increases; increase in the Sheriff budget in the amount of 81,775.00, due to resolution 2407-45 approved on 07.23.2024 for a vehicle replacement; increase to the Airport budget in the amount of $576,222.77 to revenue and $236,374.07 for expenditures for un-budgeted Airport improvements.

 Motion by Tiffani Landeen, seconded by Poppens, motion carried.

Assistant Commission Administrative Officer, Paul Anderson informed the Commission of a notice of intent to conduct a raffle by Midwest Dance Booster Club. 

“They submitted the details of the raffle to the Auditor and the Secretary of State. There is no action required by the board, it is just a notification, unless you object to the raffle,” he said. No action was taken,

Anderson informed the Commission of a notice of intent to conduct a raffle by South Dakota Freedom Caucus PAC. 

“Again, the details of the event are included in the requested action,” Anderson said. 

Commissioner Schmidt asked if the even has a political agenda tied to them and Anderson responded that all the details had been provided and there are purpose benefits to the raffle. No action was taken.

Auditor, Sheri Lund returned to the podium for board discussion with action regarding mileage reimbursement. 

“The state changed the mileage rate again; they changed it to 67 cents when a personal vehicle is available, and county vehicles are not available or 30 cents when a personal vehicle is used, and a county vehicle is available. With our grants, if we are in line with the state, it makes it easier, but I was wondering if we should adopt a policy that we go with the state mileage regardless of how many times a year they change it, so I don’t have to come up here with their generosity,” Lund said. 

The current rate is 65 cents and 29 cents following the same guidelines. Lund stated this is the first time that she has seen it be changed twice in one year, normally it is only changed in July of each year. 

Motion by Poppens, seconded by Joel Arends, to come in front of the board for approval each time. Motion approved.

Building Superintendent, John Rombough requested board action to approve County Courthouse re-caulk project and accept a quote for services. 

“One of my last projects for the season is to do caulk repair to the joints around this building. I had in my budget $12,000 based off of recommendations I got a year and a half ago. As I was getting quotes this summer, I fell way short of that and the cheapest quote is about double,” he said. 

The lowest bidder also did the windows in the courthouse a few years ago. Rombough remembers being hesitant with the window bid because they were so much lower, but feels they did an excellent job, were good to work with and recommends using their services again. Motion carried.

Highway Superintendent, Terry Fluit joined the meeting for board action to award and select a consultant for the Lincoln County Comprehensive Safety Plan.

 “Last year we were awarded some federal money through Safe Streets for All grant to do a safety plan for the county. Two consultants responded to the request for proposals and after reading through them, my recommendation is to go with Houston Engineering to do this safety plan for us,” he said. 

The total budget for the project is $125,000. 

Commissioner Arends asked what the end product will be that the county gets out of this process. 

“We will get a safety action plan, basically it’s a plan looking at all roads that we would need to do safety improvements on,” he responded. 

Motion approved.