BROOKINGS — April 7 turned into a very good day for Elkton Community Ambulance thanks to the generosity of the Brookings County Commission in approving a $22,606.13 funding request from the service on a 5-0 vote.
The money will be used to purchase three digital handheld radios — at a total cost of $16,106.13 — and to enhance educational opportunities for the service’s EMTs, at a total cost of $6,500.
“(We’re) committed to expanding (our) service to the community by expanding (our) skill to an advanced level through classroom and skills training,” the service wrote in informational material. “This initiative will equip our EMTs with the skills needed to start IVs and administer medications.”
Berniece and Scott Stuefen represented the 13-member, all-volunteer service at a Feb. 17 pitch to commissioners. Both are volunteers with the service, and Scott is its director. It was at that meeting commissioners initially learned from them of the service’s education and radio needs, along with its plans for a bigger, better facility in Elkton for its vehicles. The Stuefens were encouraged to come back with additional information then, and they did just that on April 7, via an information-rich packet sent to commissioners.
In the end, their efforts — in person and via the packet — paid dividends.
“It’s nice to see they’ve got a very strong volunteer following (in Elkton),” Commissioner Shawn Hostler said. “Which, we see across the state, where there’s a lot of departments that are not — they’re having a hard time getting their volunteers. In my opinion, if we can do anything to help advance that county-wide to help with volunteers, I’m all for it.”
In other business at their April 7 meeting, commissioners:
• Learned from Highway Superintendent Brian Gustad that load limits were removed from roadways in the county on April 7, except for 214th Avenue between 34th Avenue east to Aurora.
• Brookings County Outdoor Adventure Center Director Joe Salvati told commissioners that the Trout Extravaganza event will be May 16-17 at the Indian Hills pond.
“That’s seen anywhere from 500 to 900 youth over that weekend, so we’re very excited to have that going back again this year,” he said.
• Learned from Deputy Finance Officer Jennifer Beller that independent candidates for political offices still have time to file petitions, but no later than 5 p.m. April 28. On another election-related note, she said absentee voting for the June 2 primary begins April 17.
Beller also mentioned a new state law regarding voter registration. It originated with Senate Bill 175 and was signed by South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden on March 26. All three of District 7’s Republicans — Sen. Tim Reed, Rep. Roger DeGroot and Rep. Mellissa Heermann — voted in favor of it.
“It’s putting a proof of citizenship requirement on first-time registrants,” Beller explained. “The very first time you register to vote in South Dakota, you have to prove your citizenship.”
She said there are multiple options to prove citizenship, including having a state driver’s license issued after July 1, 2025; a legible copy of a birth certificate; or having a U.S. passport.
“The key thing is that’s only for new registrants. If someone is changing their party affiliation or changing their address and they’re already registered in South Dakota, it does not affect them,” she said. “It’s only for new registrants — so people coming into South Dakota or if it’s your first time registering here in South Dakota.”
• County Development Department Deputy Director Richard Haugen told commissioners that planning is underway for the establishment of a panel that will examine PowerOn Midwest’s proposed 765 kilovolt power transmission project that is projected to route through the east side of the county in the years ahead.
Once established, it’s expected to be, at most, an eight-member panel, and there will be a public application process for some of the slots. The issue will come before the commission again in the weeks and months ahead.
• After some discussion involving Weed & Pest Department Supervisor Tim Huber, commissioners decided that the county will not offer mosquito-spraying services this year.
The services were offered last year, particularly due in part to a very wet June, but it was something not normally done over the years. On top of that, there were concerns regarding county staffing levels, along with possibly competing against private applicators.
“I think if we just get a list of private applicators, and if anybody just calls, we can just refer (the caller) to them and go down the list and let (the caller) know who’s available to do it,” Hostler said.
— Contact Mondell Keck at [email protected].
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