A proposed wind energy project being developed across parts of Codington, Grant and Roberts counties in northeastern South Dakota is steadily beginning to take shape. Mark Mauersberger, Senior Development Manager for Dakota Range Wind Incorporated met with the Grant County Commissioners on Monday to discuss what technically is being referred to as “Dakota Range Three,” the next stage of a proposed 300 megawatt wind energy project being developed through Apex Clean Energy Corporation. Mauersberger informed the board that project developers have outlined an area deemed suitable for future development and have approved lease agreements with virtually every affected landowner. Mauersberger further noted that the project fully complies with all current setback requirements that are in place in each individual county. If all goes according to plan, the proposed wind energy project would be completed and in operation by the year 2021.
In other business, the commissioners approved for the state of South Dakota to proceed with a formal bid letting procedure for a proposed bridge replacement project south of Revillo. Grant County was recently awarded a grant to help pay for the bridge replacement project, with a portion of the funding to also go toward bridge repair work involving three other bridges within the county. The bridge projects are expected to begin sometime next year.
In a related matter, the commissioners approved the hiring of Marie Wilson as a full time truck driver for the Grant County Highway Department at a salary of $16.90 per hour effective immediately.
In another matter, Grant County Sheriff Kevin Owen presented the board with a statistical report for the department for the month of April. Sheriff Owen noted the county jail was averaging four inmates per day during the period, compared to 10 -12 inmates during the month of March. Sheriff Owen also reported that the office responded to 358 service calls with department vehicles logging a total of 6,758 miles for the month.
At Sheriff Owen’s request, the commissioners authorized the transfer of a used vehicle from the state of South Dakota to Grant County for future use by the sheriff’s office. Sheriff Owen indicated that the vehicle involved would be used strictly as an unmarked vehicle by the department.
The commissioners also approved a proposed grant agreement with the State of South Dakota Department of Health Division of Family and Community Health totaling $3,025 for WIC Program services from June 1, 2018 through May 31st, 2019.
