HOT SPRINGS – Fall River County needs a new jail, but what size and where to build it has the commissioners scratching their heads and looking for answers from the experts. The commissioners met on Thursday, Feb. 2, and continued their discussion about the cost of building a jail and what size will fit the needs and the pocketbook of the county.
Commissioner Joe Allen suggested hiring FMG Engineering to do some borehole testing on the property just north of the courthouse as a possible building site. Natural springs run through that property and could cause problems for a new structure. Sheriff Lyle Norton said borehole testing was done in 2010. The report shows that if sump pumps are installed in the new building it could be safe. The commissioners asked Norton to share a copy of the report with them. Norton also said he had taken the design that was created by the company Elevatus and had taken out 10,000 square feet, which would still meet the county jail needs. He did not go into detail about his plan at the meeting.
To get a better picture of what the present jail lacks in security, the commissioners discussed inviting an inspector to look at the jail and tell them what the jail needs to meet the federal American Correctional Association (ACA) standards. There was also some discussion on what it would cost to re-plumb the present jail.
A town hall meeting, to be hosted by the Fall River County Sheriff’s Department, in regards to the proposed new justice center, is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 22, at 6:30 p.m., in the Mueller Civic Center Theater.
Turning to other business, Emergency Manager Frank Maynard presented a request to purchase the Darley Car Fire blanket that would cost between $1,600 to $1,800. The blanket is the fastest and most efficient way to isolate and control both an electric and a gasoline car fire. He will investigate applying for a grant to help with the cost. He said the county will need three blankets: one for Oelrichs, one for Hot Springs and one for Edgemont.
Maynard continued his report, saying the City of Hot Springs informed him that the county is responsible to clear the snow off the new sidewalk by the South Annex building. The county has a four-wheeler that needs to be put back into operation for snow removal, he said. He also reported on a water leak outside the Annex that was reported on Saturday, January 13. When the water was shut off at the curb, the leak stopped. The county offices in the South Annex were without water for a couple days until the leak was fixed and the water was turned back on.
Maynard said he had received an email announcing that the SD Federal Property Agency will close the Western Distribution Center in Box Elder. The site in Huron will remain open, however, supplies will need to be picked up, he said.
Treasurer Teresa Pullen gave an update on tax deeds and distress warrants. A distress warrant is a written order issued by an authorized person such as a municipal or county clerk to seize property of a debtor. The city or county treasurer can have a law officer serve a distress warrant to an individual or business for delinquent personal property taxes. Pullen also reported that there are properties that are being Quit Claimed to the county. “We will make sure the property is clear,” she said. The properties are in Fall River and Oglala counties. “We can auction them later,” Pullen said.
The commissioners voted in favor of a Fall River County resolution in support of Senate Bill 134, which is an act to make an appropriation to create the healthy forest critical infrastructure relief and grant program. SB134 will make an appropriation of $20 million to create the healthy forest critical infrastructure relief and grant program to be used to grant relief from financial losses for an entity completing treatment on private, state or federal lands within the Black Hills to mitigate the risk from insect epidemics and wildfire.
The commissioners voted to write a letter to the Cattle Association and Livestock Market opposing cow/calf electronic ear tags. The federal government will require most cattle to wear a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag in the next few years. Commissioner Falkenburg said each tag will cost $74.
In other business the commissioners approved the following items:
• Set a hearing to vacate the public right-of-way in South Shore Yacht Club Estates subdivision on March 7 at 9:45 a.m.
• Set a hearing for Retail, on and off sale, malt beverage and SD Farm Wine for Sandy Bottom Campground, Inc. on February 15 at 9:45 a.m.
• A number of abatements for properties within the county
• To set a minimum maintenance road hearing for the northwest area of the county on February 15 at 9:30 a.m.
• Set a No Maintenance road hearing for the southeast area of the county on March 7 at 9:30 a.m.