BELLE FOURCHE-During business of the Butte County Commission meeting held April 2, the commissioners approved the purchase agreements for a 2023 Caterpillar Model 33D-07D TC, a 2023 Model D5-17 VPAT, and a 2024 Caterpillar Model 950GC all for five-year leases, for a total of approximately $964,000.
With trade-in values of currently owned equipment, the excavator, Model 33D-07D TC, costs $286, 787. The dozer, Model D5-17 VPAT, has a cost of $338,331 and the loader, Model 950 GC, has a cost of $294,702. Existing equipment has come to the end of the lease and the new equipment will take over the payments. The money has been budgeted, according to Auditor Annie Capp.
Beau Riopel, Butler Machine, assured the commissioners the equipment is in stock and should be delivered by summer.
In further business, Highway Superintendent Dwayne Heidrich provided an activity report on damaged signs. The Sheriff’s Department has continued to patrol the areas and are on the lookout for who may be doing the damage.
He also noted that in order to repair holes on the Snoma Bridge, Brosz Engineering has recommended epoxy be used as soon as weather permits.
Notification will be posted on the county website and social media when roads are being repaired, graveled, etc.
Butte County contributes $6,000 to Prairie Hills Transit annually and Executive Director Barb Cline was available to share information on how that money is used. Prairie Hills Transit and the county have had an agreement since 2006, she said, and good things have been happening.
Some of those things include delivering meals for the backpack program, travel for veterans working with Butte County VSO, and transporting patients for dialysis and other medical appointments.
Examples of transportation costs by Prairie Hills are $5 to Spearfish from Belle Fourche or $2 around town.
Although she was not available at the meeting, the new Butte/Lawrence Youth Program Advisor Melanie Coleman had a written report given by Auditor Annie Capp.
Coleman has a Masters’ Degree in Social Work, experience as a School Social worker and volunteer experience as a puppy raiser with Guide Dogs for the Blind and as a Therapeutic Equine Instructor.
Coleman noted that the Butte/Lawrence 4-H Horse and Pony members must attend a Youth Horse Literacy event if they plan to show their horse or pony this year in the horse show, State, County or at the fair. There will be a YHL on Sunday, April 14 at First Interstate Bank in Belle Fourche.
The upgrade for the HVAC system at the courthouse was approved in the amount of $507,579 for the Central Plant project, $454,496 for the Upper-level project, $100,514 for the Existing Fan Coils project, and $38,965 for the GPS Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization Systems project. Work will begin this spring.
The commissioners approved the purchase of a 2023 Ford Transit XLT 442, 15-passenger van for $68,399 for the Sheriff’s Department. One of the existing vans will be surplused and the equipment will be used to outfit the new van.
Following an executive session to discuss legal issues, the commissioners voted to approve and adopt the findings of fact and conclusion of the law and recommendations presented by attorney Robert Morris for employees #1 and #2. Morris has been hired as outside counsel for the county.
Redwater Cannabis Dispensary license was renewed by the commissioners with a four to one roll call vote.
Erk questioned the background checks of employees, but Auditor Capp explained the newest checks were done and found at the back of the application.
During Public Comment, Dale Simanton urged the commissioners to take a survey of the people of the county to find out what they think about a combination of the Sheriff’s Department and BF Police Department.
Sue Broadhurst mentioned the county’s website and asked that it be kept updated.
Sheriff Lamphere mentioned that there would be an Open House for Telecommunications Week on Tuesday April 16 from 11 to 2. Show your support for the hardworking crew in Butte County Dispatch by joining them downstairs of the Courthouse at the Dispatch Center.
The next regular commission meeting will be April 16 at 9 am.
