may county comment

Volume 57, Number 4

May 2011

County CommentSo

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Dewey County Courthouse

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May 2011 3County Comment • www.sdcc.govoffice2.com

2011 officers and & Board of Directors

PresidentJohn Claggett

Davison County

first Vice PresidentRobert JohnsonHarding County

Second Vice PresidentAllen Sinclair

Yankton County

treasurerPhylliss Pudwill

Walworth County

Past PresidentJim Schmidt

Lincoln County

DirectorsOscar Thompson

Aurora County

Dave AlbrechtSpink County

Francis HassClark County

David ForretteGrant County

Casey KrogmanMellette County

Delvin WorthPotter County

Bill FloydSully County

Gerald BeningaMinnehaha County

Ron BuskerudPennington County

NaCo representativesDon Larson • Brookings CountyNancy Hansen • Brown County

Wir representativeClint Farlee • Ziebach County

By John ClaggettProject Service excellence

President’s Comments

South Dakota Offices: Beresford • Pierre

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Within the soggy mess of April, other than bailing and praying, we have all had a busy month . As some of us in the renewed Dakota wetlands looked toward the future, we also worked this month in anticipating dollars that keep our Coun-ties moving.

In Davison County we are still in the process of meeting one on one with our residents and business owners in regard to tax assessments – and it has been an interesting process. I am not sure who designed April as the month to have tax assessment appeals – but it would have been nice to do it on another month – where they had not just paid their Federal Income Tax!

We still have some of our 82 appeals to hear – with many of them being very in-teresting – and many of them experienc-ing dramatically unexpected increases in value – with most everybody being very congenial – and understanding.

A little over 4 years ago our new Direc-tor of Equalization took over the posi-tion – and I have expressed to her my wholehearted thanks for her extremely great performance in that position. Within the 1st year she found that we were behind – behind in visitations – be-hind in assessments completed– behind in technology – and behind in the com-mitment to get the job done correctly and efficiently.

In discussions with her we found that there were parcels that had not been viewed for many years – not just a 6 or 7 year window! None of our current Commissioners were seated during those times that she was focusing on – so it became apparent we would have an uphill route to cor-rectly equalize those values!

So the game was afoot – invigorate your equalization process – get on a consist-ent rotation – get up to speed with your parcel classes… while you still do your daily work. So you can see where I speak from – to move the department and fulfill the mission of fairness – of equalization. It is a high order – and I am pleased to have her at the helm!

So we are on the move! With growth every year – we need to provide excel-lence in service throughout our entire County – and also provide representa-tion of our citizenry on the State level. Excellence still is the keynote – and our County employees that push for excel-lence bring pride to us all. Undoubt-edly equalization is one of the toughest jobs to translate to our public, and I wanted to share that with you because the demands are heavy, and its operation affects us all.

Today as we move into “the grass is greener in May “, my hope is that everyone that works within our Counties will fully project service excellence to those within our Coun-ties. It is always great to see – that we do our best work – when we work together!

4 May 2011 County Comment • www.sdcc.govoffice2.com

the official newsletter of the South Dakota association of County Commissioners

222 E Capitol Ave Suite 1Pierre, SD 57501Phone: (605) 224-4554Fax: (605) 224-4833

Website: www.sdcc.govoffice2.comEmail: [email protected]

Bob Wilcox, EditorKris Jacobsen, Assistant Editor

The South Dakota Association of County Commissioners (SDACC) was founded for the betterment of county govern-ment. Each of South Dakota’s 66 counties are members of SDACC. The SDACC Board of Directors is made up of elected county commissioners and is responsible for overall SDACC policy and management. SDACC serves its members through lobbying, education, publications, and research.

The County Comment is published nine times a year by the South Dakota Association of County Commission-ers (SDACC), It is distributed to county elected officials, county employees, state agency personnel, National Asso-ciation of Counties (NACo), universities, non-profit associations and organiza-tions interested in the betterment of county government.

Companies interested in advertising in the County Comment, please contact Kris Jacobsen, Assistant Editor.

SDACC member counties may place classified ads, story ideas, articles and photographs in this newsletter at NO CHARGE. Please send your information by email to [email protected].

Each member county devotes approxi-mately $10.00 per official of their annual dues for a subscription to the County Comment. Non-member subscription rate is $15.00.

The opinions expressed within are not necessarily those of the South Dakota Association of County Commissioners (SDACC).

executive Director’s thoughts

COUNTY COMMENTCouNty CoMMeNtBy Bob Wilcox

Registered inNorth Dakota,South Dakota,

andMontana

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3561 Old Whitewood Rd * Box 686STURGIS, SD 57787Phone: 605-347-2722Fax: 605-347-2822

3030 Airport Rd, Ste A * Box 23PIERRE, SD 57501Phone: 605-224-1123Fax: 605-224-0659

BroszEngineering, Inc & Architecture

Work con-tinues for the Commit-tee to study the use of Interpret-ers and Translators for limited

English proficient (LEP) or hear-ing-impaired individuals in our South Dakota Courts. We have had a number of meetings in which we have had information provided from other states, and taken profes-sional and public testimony from individuals working in this field.

South Dakota does not have any set standards or qualifications or defined rate of pay for the people providing this service. The Com-mittee is focused on the impor-tance of providing fair access for all those involved in the judicial system. The Committee is close to

finalizing a draft report which will be sent to the Supreme Court for their consideration.

The recent County Commissioner Spring Workshop was really a great success with around 120 Commis-sioners in attendance. Commis-sioners heard from Attorney Gener-al Marty Jackley, received updates from state department representa-tives regarding current county/state relationships and collaborations that exist. The event ended with a good discussion with Governor Daugaard (Q&A) regarding the 2011 Legislative Session and the current condition of the state's finances, which directly impacts us at the county level.

As always if there is anything we can do for you we are just a phone call or email away.

Take Care Bob


federal and state level. But within the operation of the College, the lines are blurred. Many faculty members have responsibilities in each area and are paid from each line proportionally.

The current budget situation presents an opportunity to closely evaluate SDSU Extension, and make adjust-ments to assure a highly effective and efficient system. Furthermore, it pro-vides the opportunity to fully integrate the role of Extension throughout the university.

In January of 2011, I appointed anadvisory committee to consider the impact of reduced budgets and offer a proposal to restructure the Cooperative Extension Service. The committee was asked to create structures and staff-ing patterns designed to allow a new SDSU Extension to successfully meet its future commitment for educational outreach.

In the process of developing this strategic plan for SDSU Extension, the advisory committee studied how other land-grant institutions have responded and restructured their Cooperative Exten-sion Services due to reduced budgets. One important les-son learned from other states is that reorganizations of this magnitude will, initially, be difficult. These difficulties range from the personal impact on current Extension staff, to the way that clients have previously ex-pected to do busi-

County News

Save the Date!2011 County Convention

September 19-21, 2011rapid City, SDramkota hotel

The South Dakota State University Cooperative Extension Service, known as SDSU Extension, is faced with unprecedented budget reductions.

In January 2011, the Governor of South Dakota presented an amended budget that indicated a 10% reduction in the FY12 state general fund for all entities. In March, the South Da-kota legislature approved this budget, which will go into effect on July 1, 2011. The 10% cut in state base funds eliminates $820,000 for SDSU Exten-sion. This follows a cut of $200,000in state general funds in each of the last two fiscal years. At the same time, a federal FY12 budget cut of $300,000 is proposed for SDSU Extension. Congress has committed to no earmark funding for the next two fiscal years.It is appropriate to assume that federal budgets will continue to be reduced in future years.

The full impact of state cuts for the past two years to the SDSU Extension budget, and the current cuts to base funding from both the state and federal governments for the upcoming fiscal year, will create a structural deficit ofapproximately $1.3 to $1.4 million.

Because the SDSU Extension budget is currently 95% people, this means that in the future, fewer people will be employed. For perspective, $1.4 million represents approximately 28 educators or 14 specialists. Cuts of this magnitude will not allow the tradi-tional structure to function.

This situation is made more complex by the integrated nature of a strong land-grant university. The College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences has three distinct missions of Academ-ic Programs, the Agricultural Experi-ment Station, and the CooperativeExtension Service. They are treated as separate funding line items at both the

ness with Extension. Long-standing partnerships must be redesigned and strengthened. New educational models must be implemented. SDSU Exten-sion infrastructure must be redirected to effectively utilize current and future technologies. Despite the challenges, a stronger, more effective system, po-sitioned to serve the current and future needs of citizens, will emerge.

Based on the committee’s recom-mendations, this report outlines the initiative that SDSU will pursue to restructure Extension services within the state. In moving forward, it is our intent for this process to be fully vetted with the SDSU administrative team including ABS department heads, South Dakota Board of Regents, Ex-tension specialists and field specialists, staff and stakeholders as implementa-tion takes place.

Barry H. Dunn, ’75South Dakota Corn Utilization Council En-dowed Dean and Interim Extension Director College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences

“The Ultimate Survivor”

Counties Surviving, Striving and Thriving

South Dakota State university Cooperative extension Service update


must fill out and return to NACo. With the contract is the 'checklist' which asks the county to choose a contact person for the program. Rollout usu-ally takes about 10 weeks from the date that NACo receives the con-tract.

During the 10 week process, the contract is signed by NACo and CVS Caremark and the original copy is returned to the county. The county receives a call from a CVS Caremark representative who explains the rollout process. CVS Caremark also notifies all participating pharmacies. The county may have it's name and/or seal on the card and all materials are printed and sent to the

county in time for launch. The county also receives marketing guidelines and materials for pre-rollout, launch, and post-launch.

For answers to ques-tions or if you would like to enroll in the program, please con-tact Andrew Gold-schmidt, Director of Membership Market-ing 202/942-4221 or agoldschmidt@naco.

org, or Ilene Manster, Membership Coordinator 202/942-4291 or [email protected].

A prescription discount card is NOT insurance. Rather, it is a simple way to save money on prescriptions not covered by insurance.

There is a great program that can help residents save money on prescriptions at an average savings of 24%. The NACo Prescription Discount Card Program helps the uninsured, under-insured, seniors, and pet owners in the county. The card can even be used to help inmates get discounts on prescrip-tions. There are no enrollment fees, no forms, no age or income require-ments and no medical restrictions. Simply use the card. The entire family can be covered with one card. There is no cost to the county, taxpayers or consumers and no revenue from the program goes to NACo or to counties. Over 60,000 pharmacies participate in the program and it is used by over 1,370 counties.

It's easy to enroll in the program. There is a contract that the county

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in Search of Civility

feature Story

Civility: a: civilized conduct; espe-cially: COURTESY, POLITENESS b: a polite act or expression

As defined by the Merriam Webster Online Dictionary 2010

“Civility is claiming and caring for one’s identity, needs and beliefs with-out degrading someone else’s in the process.” ...and it begins with us.

Institute for Civility in Government Co-Founders, Rev. Cassandra Dahnke and Rev. Tomas Spath

If adult Americans will not model civ-ic responsibility, how can we expect our young people to be any different?”

Richard Riley, Former Secretary of Education

What is Civility?Civility is much more than just behav-ing politely, but it is a good place to start. This behavior shows that the individual has a deep abiding respect for others and their opinions. Civil-ity also requires maintenance of self control, especially in dialogues with others with whom we disagree.

Our first president, George Washing-ton, by the age of sixteen, had hand-written his 110 Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior, which were based on a set of rules composed by the French Jesuits in 1595. Each rule, from the first, “Every action done in company, ought to be with some sign of respect, to those that are present,” to the 49th, “Use no reproachful language against anyone neither curse nor revile,” and to the last, “Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celes-tial fire called conscience,” revolved around how one should behave in the presence of others and in conversation.

The state of civility throughout history has been a topic of several books. A sampling of these include: From Courtesy to Civility: Changing codes of Conduct in Early Modern England; Rudeness and Civility: Manners in Nineteenth Century Urban America; and Civility and Society in Western Europe, 1300-1600.

As members of American society, we witness a lack of civility on a regular basis. It is missing in interactions that we have with business people, it is missing in social intercourse with our peers and coworkers and above all, it is missing in the discourse of our na-tion’s political leaders.

This lack of civility can be seen in conversations in our neighborhoods and on televised political moments. What accounts for this lack of civil-ity? The continuing polarization of our society along racial lines, socio-eco-nomic lines, religious lines, political lines, generational lines and by special interests has brought us to an impasse.

In mid June 2010, KRC Research released the results of a National Civility Survey conducted online in April 2010. The results of this survey show that two out three Americans believe that civility is a major prob-lem and three out of four believe that it has gotten worse in the past few years. Seventy two percent of the respondents in this survey believe that the most uncivil place in society is in government and politics and this is followed by 69% who believe that traffic and our roads are the most uncivil place. Eighty five percent of the people surveyed believe that politi-cians should pay the price on Elec-tion Day for uncivil behavior in their governing activities.

As politics get more heated and propo-nents of “talk radio” get more outspo-ken, many other people have adopted the behavior that is ever present through the media and frequently played out at the national level. This outspokenness and lack of civility has unfortunately also crept into the gov-erning process at the local level.

Jim Taylor, PH.D in his recent article “Politics: Is Civility Dead?” says “perhaps there has always been uncivil discourse, but because of the limits in the size of the audience that it could reach, we rarely heard it. . . Due to the emergence of cable television, talk radio and Internet, “squeaky wheels” now have a means of making their voices heard by millions.”

The Institute for Civility in Govern-ment is a non-profit organization that reaches out through educational programs and membership to address the lack of civility in society. They believe that one of the key threats to effective and efficient government is the persistent and growing polariza-tion in our society along lines of race, social-economic groups, religion, age, politics and special interests.

They have taken as their challenge, improving civility in the governing process because: A. It is public B. It is something in which we all have a stake C. It is a venue where change can be affected D. It influences other areas of our lives together in community.

Recently, student leaders from 14 dif-ferent colleges and universities issued a joint statement that they believe can help guide the public discourse of

Continued on page 8


feature Storyin Search of Civility - Con’t

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elected officials and their constituents. Convening at Allegheny College at the Center for Political Participation, these “Ten Tips to Improve Civility” were released during a national conference called Pathway to Civility.

The tips include the following recom-mendations. 1. Listen to opposing views 2. Seek shared values 3. Acknowledge the legitimacy of opposing positions 4. Identify the problem at-hand, .. focusing on it rather than on larger conflicts 5. Avoid political caricatures, labels and generalizations that may not truly present the views of your ad versaries

6. Accept that disagreement will ex ..

ist without giving up your own con-victions 7. Clarify what is being said before attacking and/or responding 8. Recognize the value of solutions beyond those offered by traditional political platforms 9. Consider the consequences of what you say and do 10. Hold yourself personally ac-countable for your own political actions

These tips were drawn up by delegates to the convention that represented peo-ple with all types of political ideolo-gies and they believe these ideas will help get civility started.

So what do you as a county official do when your local commission meet-ings have become hotbeds of hostility?

When one official constantly inter-rupts another or one uses undesirable language to object to a point and to get his/her point across and these com-ments are mean spirited? Does your county have local officials who grand-stand for the television cameras with smart quips and constant interruption ever since the meetings have started being broadcast? Do local officials and participating county residents frequently yell at each other, interrupt each other and just generally show intolerance for another point of view. Then you are not alone.

John C. Gillespie, Esquire, recently released a paper entitled “The Need for Civility in Local Government Dialogue,” published by the New Jersey State League of Municipali-

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ties. His premise is that local public officials should display and demand public civility, public tolerance and civil discourse all around them. He says that when our political leaders are rude to each other, it gives the public permission to do the same thing. Often members of the public are nastier to the public officials in meetings and discussions that the officials were with each other. He also mentions that the major challenge for local officials who must work and live closely with their constituents on a regular basis and see them at the supermarket, on the softball fields, and other local meeting places throughout the com-munity is the restoration of civility and the improvement of the tone of their conversations. Mr. Gillespie lists Ten Commandments of Public Civility at the end of his paper. Among these very practical commandments are: 1. Thou shalt not rudely interrupt a colleague midsentence; nor “speak over” a colleague while she/he is speaking; 2. Thou shalt not assume that shrill ness of tone is a substitute for sub stantive dialogue; 3. Thou shalt not resort to “zingers” designed solely to embarrass your target; 4. Thou shalt not allow legitimate critique of policy and practice to become a personal attack aimed at the person who devised the policy or implements the practice; 5. Thou shalt always recognize that your colleagues were also elected, just as you were, and deserve the same level of respect for having run and won; 6. Thou shalt not ridicule or belittle a colleague, or a member of the public, simply because he or she disagrees with you on an issue.

Many counties have begun tackling the lack of civility at the local level. Some are adopting codes and ordi-nances on decorum in public meetings while others have adopted a set of core values for civility and ethical behavior throughout the county.

Howard County, MD Public Library launched a community–wide initia-tive with the intention of making the county a model of civility. The goal is to make the county a role model for enhancing respect, empathy, consider-ation and tolerance. To get its civility program started, the county library turned to the book “Choosing Civility: The 25 Rules of Considerate Conduct” by Dr. P.M. Forni, a professor at Johns Hopkins University and the cofounder of the Civility Project. Dr. Forni believes that “It is time to rethink our relationships for the sake of the com-mon good.”

The county, on its own, has developed 15 Principles of Civility that support the initiative that can be used to infuse civil behavior into the business, com-munity and personal lives of its resi-dents. It has also created something called The Civility Café.

The 15 Principles of Civility that were established by the county are:

• Pay attention• Listen• Speak kindly• Assume the best• Respect others’ opinions• Be inclusive• Acknowledge others• Respect other people’s time and

space• Apologize earnestly• Assert yourself• Accept and give praise• Take responsibility• Accept and give constructive criti-

cism• Refrain from idle complaints• Be a considerate guest

In his State of Howard County Ad-dress in January 2009, County Execu-tive Ken Ulman said “Choose Civility “in some ways, has come to define us.”

Other ProgramsThe Florida League of Cities has cre-ated a compilation of information on Civility in Government Resources on its website. One of these is The Collins Center for Public Policy. The Center has established a program called Civil-ity in Democracy and features 10 keys to civility. Other resources available for local governments on this website include sample ordinances, policies and civility pledges and the aforemen-tioned Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior written by George Washing-ton.

One of the samples included is the Code of Core Values for Civility and Ethics from the City of Dunedin, FL which includes a pledge officials must follow and is included as part of the orientation of the commission, all boards and committees.The code includes the following lan-guage:

• Civility – I pledge to help cre-ate an atmosphere of respect and civility where individual Commis-sioners, City Manager, department heads, staff, committee and board members, and the public are free to express their ideas and work to their full potential.

• Ethics - I pledge to maintain the highest standards of professional behavior and to comply with the laws, regulations, and policies under which we operate

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feature Storyin Search of Civility - Con’t

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The Institute for Local Government in Sacramento, CA has also published, as part of its series “Everyday Eth-ics for Local Officials,” guidance called “Promoting Civility at Public Meetings: Concepts and Practice.” These papers are written in response to questions that have been raised by local officials. This discussion centers on the role that disagreement can play in a governmental setting and analyzes civility. It also includes an observation from Dr. Martin Luther King, about civility and its role in making govern-mental change:

In a neighborhood dispute there may be stunts, rough words, and even hot insults, but when a whole people speaks to its government, the dialogue and the action must be on a level reflecting the worth of that

people and the responsibility of that government.

The discussion moves on to whether or not civility can be legislated and suggests some guidelines that should be followed when conducting business in the public sector. The first guide-line suggests that you “Separate the people from the problem. Recognize that other thoughtful and caring people have very different views on how best to address their community’s many complex problems.”

In addition to county-wide civility initiatives similar to Howard County’s, other local governments have estab-lished rules, regulations and ordinanc-es that govern civility and decorum in their county meetings and interactions with the public. Washoe County, NV

has adopted informal rules of decorum that are included as part of the agenda for every Board meeting in the public comment section. The statement reads as follows:

The Chairman and Board of County Commissioners intend that their proceedings should demonstrate the highest levels of decorum, civic responsibility, efficiency and mutual respect between citizens and their government. The Board respects the right of citizens to present differing opinions and views, even criticism, but our democracy cannot func-tion effectively in an environment of personal attacks, slander, threats of violence and willful disruption. To that end, the Nevada Open Meeting Law provides the authority for the Chair of a public body to maintain



feature Story


in Search of Civility - Con’t

the decorum and to declare a recess if needed to remove any person who is disrupting the meeting, and notice is hereby provided of the intent of this body to preserve the decorum and remove anyone who disruptsthe proceedings.

Other counties, such as Ware County, GA have established rules that govern public meetings and included a sec-tion on decorum in these rules. Ware County’s section says:

Members of the public who wish to speak at official meetings and work sessions of the Ware County Com-mission are expected to adhere to the rules of decorum as outlined herein. Unless otherwise directed by the Chairman, all remarks should be directed to the Chairman and not to individual commissioners, staff

or citizens in attendance. Personal remarks are inappropriate… Any person engaging in this type of behavior shall be ruled out of order by the Chairman, and at the Chair-man’s discretion, be removed from the assembly hall.

Cowlitz County, WA has incorporated its decorum rules into its County Charter as part of the authority granted to the presiding Chair by giving him the authority to preserve order and decorum. Smith County, TX has es-tablished a section of its county code called “Rules of Procedure, Conduct and Decorum at Meetings of the Smith County Commissioners’ Court” and has empowered the County Judge, as the presiding officer, to enforce these rules. The code also states that the Sheriff, or a designated deputy, is present at all meetings acting as the

bailiff.

Pinellas County, FL commission has established its own rules for Public Participation and Decorum as has Erie County, NY and in both of these counties the Chair has the authority to have an individual removed from the meeting. In many of these counties, including Polk County, WI, the Chair of the commission or board meeting is charged with maintaining civility and decorum in all board meetings.

As Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, an English writer who died in 1762, said, and it still applies today - Civility costs nothing, and buys everything.

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Information provided by retirement specialists is for educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice.

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are inmate medical costs draining your county budgets?The South Dakota Association of County Commis-sioners (SDACC) is proud to partner with Correc-tional Risk Services (CRS) to offer two new programs to help South Dakota counties contain the costs of medical care for county inmates.

Choose from:Inmate Medical Claims Review Service: CRS will perform claims administration management for all county inmates housed in a county jail. Claims admin-istration management will include:

1. Determine if the medical treatment was actually delivered.2. Determine if the medical treatment was medically necessary.3. Provide hospital and physician discounts, where available, through our PPO network.4. Negotiate ‘quick pay’ discounts from providers whenever possible.5. Prepare checks to be sent to hospitals, physicians, and other medical care providers.6. Furnish explanations of payment.7. Provide detailed claims reports.8. Furnish Sheriff Department personnel with Inmate Provider Claim Cards.9. CRS retains a percentage of what they save on the billing. If there are no savings – there are no costs to the county.

Inmate Medical Budget Protector: CRS will provide inmate excess medical insurance for county inmates. The policy will include the Claims Administration Management and the following:

1. A $10,000 deductible per county inmate, per con-tract year.2. A policy limit up to $250,000 (less deductible) per inmate, per contract year.3. Covered charges include: a. Inpatient hospitalization b. Outpatient surgical charges c. Emergency room charges - if followed by a hos-pital admission d. Physicians’ & surgeons’ fees e. Anesthesiologists & radiologists charges, f. Nurses charges g. Diagnostic x-ray & laboratory services h. Dressings, drugs, & medicines dispensed in a hospital or outpatient facility i. Medical conditions such as cancer, heart, kidney, diabetes are covered illnesses j. Accidental injuries, fights, self-inflicted injuries, and attempted suicide.4. No pre-existing medical condition limitations after coverage has been in effect for 72 hours.

NOTE: This is a summary of the plan details. Please call SDACC at (605) 224-4554 for specific details.

Juvenile detention medical costs are also eligible for these programs!

Sheriffs’ departments and county governments are faced with the ever

increasing problem of providing medical, dental, and prescription drug benefits to an inmate population. In

today’s climate of rapidly rising hospital costs, sheriff and county

budgets are stretched beyond limit. Often times those budgets are exceeded

well in advance of year end.

Program Services

**Members - McPherson & Mellette Counties**


Dewey County

County Spotlight

Largest Town: Eagle Butte County Seat: Timber LakePopulation: 5,972 Organized: 1910Size: 2,446 square miles

Dewey County, created in 1883, organized in 1910, was named for William P. Dewey, Territorial surveyor-general from 1873 to 1877.

Governor Robert S. Vessey ordered a special elec-tion to be held on November 8, 1910 to define and organize the unorganzied boundaries of Dewey County and election of officers. Timber Lake was then selected as the county seat.

Two rooms in the land office in Timber Lake were leased for use by the County officials. In 1920, the County purchased the entire building on main street for use as the courthouse.

Cheyenne Agency was named because it is the agency for the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation.

Eagle Butte, named after a near-by butte, was founded in 1910 when the Milwaukee Railroad reached that point.

Firesteel was named for near-by Firesteel Creek.

Glencross was founded in 1919 by Conrad Mattern, who operated the first store.

Isabel, founded in 1910, was named for a daughter of one of the Milwaukee Railroad officials.

Lantry has two commonly accepted versions of its naming. It is thought to have been named for a family of Lantrys who were early settlers in the community, other sources say the name is a com-bination of the words “land” and “try”, referring to the struggle of making a living from the land.

La Plant, named for a pioneer rancher, either George or Fred La Plant, and was founded by the Milwaukee Railroad in 1910.

Parade was originally named Paradis for an early Frenchman, George Paradis, but there was an-other town by that name in the Territory, so it was changed to Parade.

Ridgeview was so named because of its position on the divide between the Cheyenne and Moreau Rivers.

Timber Lake was named for the near-by lake.

Trail City acquired its name as it was a popular watering place on an old cattle trail as cattle companies trailed their herds east to the Missouri River for shipment.

White Horse was named for an Indian Chief.


Senator tim Johnson136 Hart Senate Office BldgWashington, DC 20510(202) 224-5842Fax: (202) 225-5823

Aberdeen (605) 226-3440Rapid City (605) 341-3990Sioux Falls (605) 332-8896

Senator John thuneUnited States Senate SR-493Washington, DC 20515(202) 224-2321Fax: (202) 228-5429

Aberdeen (605) 225-8823Rapid City (605) 348-7551Sioux Falls (605) 334-9596

representative kristi Noem226 Cannon House Office BldgWashington, DC 20515(202) 225-2801Fax: (202) 225-5823

Rapid City - (605) 791-4673Sioux Falls (605) 367-8371

Working to end the Shortage of Veterinarians

Congressional News

Across the country, there are 500 counties with at least 5,000 farm animals and not one veterinarian. This includes roughly 20 counties right here in South Dakota. The shortage is not a new problem, but it continues to have damaging impacts on our communities. Without quali-fied veterinarians, we are jeopard-izing animal and human health, and risking the success of our agriculture industry, the strongest part of South Dakota’s economy.

We can bring more veterinarians to underserved places in South Dakota, and strengthen our state’s ag sector, by making a common-sense change to the Veterinary Medicine Loan Re-payment Program (VMLRP). Under this program, passed by Congress in 2003, the federal government provides academic loan repayment each year to veterinarians who agree to work in underserved areas of the country after graduation.

Although it has proven success-ful, an unusual provision in the law requires funding for this program to be taxed at 39 percent, which means more than one-third of all funding for the program is sent to the Treas-ury Department and not to veterinary graduates. As a result, fewer students can take part in the program, and

there are fewer practicing veterinar-ians in underserved shortage areas.

We need to put an end to this. That’s why, together with Republican Senator Mike Crapo of Wyoming, I introduced the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhance-ment Act. This bill would eliminate taxation of the program and increase the number of veterinarians chosen under the program by roughly one third.

As is the case with most advanced degrees, many veterinary school graduates are saddled with debt. As a result, these graduates shift their fo-cus away from livestock, and move to higher populated areas with more business and greater earning poten-tial. This trend has shortchanged rural communities in South Dakota, which rely on the health of their livestock for the health of their bot-tom line. The VMLRP was designed to help make education more afford-able if veterinarians chose to work in high-priority shortage areas. My legislation would simply ensure the program lives up to its potential.

These days in Washington it is dif-ficult for the parties to work together, but this bipartisan legislation is a prime example of both sides work-

ing together to solve a problem. Nearly 140 ani-mal, agricultural and veterinary medicine organi-zations nation-wide, including the American Veterinary Medi-cal Association, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Farmers Union and the American Farm Bureau Federation support this measure.

There are many pressing issues this Congress that will require much of our attention. However, we can’t let this problem go unsolved. It is unsustainable and the lack of vet-erinarians in our underserved areas is expected to grow in the next five years. Agriculture is the economic engine that drives our rural com-munities, and without viable family farms and ranches, our small towns and Main Street businesses through-out South Dakota and our nation would face significant hardships. It is absolutely essential that our agri-cultural producers have access to the services they need to be successful, and the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act will help make that possible.


agriculture united of SDSteve DickPO Box 507Sioux Falls, SD 57101Phone: (605) 336-3622Product: Agriculture

american engineering testingRobert Temme, PE1745 Samco RdRapid City, SD 57702Phone: (605) 388-0029Product: Engineering

american State BankKelley VanLithPO Box 1178Pierre, SD 57501Phone: (605) 224-9233Product: Financial Services

architecture incorporatedSusan KahlerPO Box 2140Sioux Falls, SD 57101Phone: (605) 339-1711Product: Architectural Firm

BankWestKristin Brost420 S Pierre StPierre, SD 57501Phone: (605) 224-7391Product: Financial services

Banner associates, incDoug WesselPO Box 298Brookings, SD 57006Phone: (605) 692-6342Product: Engineering, Architecture, Surveying

Beckenhauer ConstructionRon StaufferPO Box 866Norfolk, NE 68702Phone: (402) 371-5363Product: Construction Mgmt, Design Build

Best Western SD ramkota hotelsJean Lacher3211 W Sencore DrSioux Falls, SD 57107Phone: (605) 334-2371Product: Hotels, Accommodations

Brosz engineeringBlake Barringer3030 Airport RdPierre, SD 57501Phone: (605) 224-1123Product: Engineering

Buskerud ConstructionDean HerllPO Box 187Dell Rapids, SD 57022Phone: (605) 428-5483Product: Construction Services & Materials

Butler MachineryKelly Humble3401 33rd St SFargo, ND 58104Phone: (701) 298-1705Product: SD Caterpillar dealer CenturyLinkJeff Carmon125 S Dakota Avenue 8th FlSioux Falls, SD 57104Phone: (605) 339-6871Product: Communications

Clark engineeringKevin Goff1410 W Russell StSioux Falls, SD 57104Phone: (605) 331-2505Product: Engineering & Surveying

Correctional risk ServicesDJ Kreal215 Jamestown Park Dr #201Brentwood, TN 37027Phone: (615) 376-6101Product: Inmate Excess Medical Insurance

Diamond Mowers incDavid Burkhart27134 Parklane DriveSioux Falls, SD 57106Phone: (605) 368-5865Product: Agricultural Mowers

Diesel Machinery incDon Mosey4301 N Cliff AveSioux Falls, SD 57104Phone: (605) 336-0411Product: Construction Equipment Distributor

Dougherty & Company LLCTom Grimmond110 S Phillips Ave Suite 203Sioux Falls, SD 57104Phone: (605) 339-9800Product: Finance

election Systems and SoftwareMike Hoversten11208 John Galt BlvdOmaha, NE 68137Phone: (402) 938-1305Product: Elections Services

hagan Benefits incJeff PedersonPO Box 5090Sioux Falls, SD 57117Phone: (605) 334-1030Product: Liability & Property Insurance

howard r. Green incChad Hanisch, PE6010 S Minnesota Ave #102Sioux Falls, SD 57108Phone: (605) 334-4499Product: Engineering/Consulting

huron Culvert & tank Co.Shane DavidsPO Box 1439Huron, SD 57350Phone: (605) 352-8643Product: Manufacturing corrugated metal culverts and steel tanks

insurance Benefits incKaren Ripperda4901 Isabel Place #110Sioux Falls, SD 57108Phone: (605) 334-7252Product: Insurance

Jebro incNoel Schulz2303 Bridgeport DriveSioux City, IA 51111Phone: (712) 277-8855Product: Liquid Ashpalt Terminal

Lankota Custom truckStacy Haberer1800 E Benson RoadSioux Falls, SD 57104Phone: (605) 336-1727Product: Truck & construction equipment

Metal Culverts, incMichael L. RackersPO Box 330Jefferson City, MO 65102Phone: (573) 636-7312Product: Manufacture & supply corrugated metal pipe, drainage supplies

Mryl and roy’s Paving, incPatty Nohr1300 N Bahnson AveSioux Falls, SD 57103Phone: (605) 334-3204Product: Asphalt Construction and Aggregate Supply

NaCo Prescription Drug Card Brad Stone620 Epsilon DrPittsburgh, PA 15238Phone: (412) 967-2307Product: Prescription Drug Card

Nationwide retirement SolutionsTom Sierakowski5404 D J LaneSchofield, WI 54476Phone: (715) 355-9889Product: Retirement Programs

Northland SecuritiesToby Morris215 W Sioux AvePierre, SD 57501Phone: (605) 224-5557Product: Public Finance

rDo equipmentBrad Gietzen2801 N Louise AveSioux Falls, SD 57107Phone: (605) 336-2730Product: John Deere Equip Sales and Service

Sheehan Mack Sales & equipEric Matzen901 E 60th St NSioux Falls, SD 57104Phone: (605) 336-2000Product: Contractors’ Equip & Supplies

Short elliott hendrickson inc Alec Boyce401 E 8th Street, Suite 309Sioux Falls, SD 57103Phone: (605) 330-7000Product: Engineering, Architectural Consulting Firm

Simplifile, LCDallen Miner4844 N 300 W, Suite 202Provo, UT 84604Phone: (800) 460-5657Product: E-Recording

Stulken, Petersen, Lingle,Walti & Jones, LLPDavid LinglePO Box 578Pierre, SD 57501Phone: (605) 224-5828Product: Certified Public Accountants

team Laboratory Chemical CorpMichelle MaierPO Box 1467Detroit Lakes, MN 56502Phone: (218) 846-9490Product: Industrial Chemical Sales

the Sidwell CompanyKaren Fouts675 Sidwell CourtSt. Charles, IL 60174Phone: (630) 549-1000Product: Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Aerial Photography

titan MachineryMatt Leighton4201 N Cliff AveSioux Falls, SD 57104Phone: (605) 336-3434Product: Equipment Dealer

triMin Government SolutionsBill Juergens2277 Hwy 36 W, Suite 101ERoseville, MN 55113Phone: (651) 604-3617Product: Land Records Mgmt System

tyler technologiesBrad King5519 53rd StLubbock, TX 79414Phone: (800) 646-2633Product: Computer Software & Services

ultra/ Connecting PointDoreen Singrey504 Jenson Ave SEWatertown, SD 57201Phone: (605) 882-1555Product: Computer Hardware and Software

SDaCC associate Member Directory

Supporters of County Government!

aDDreSS SerViCe reQueSteD

PeriodicalSD Ass’n of County Commissioners222 E Capitol Ave., Suite 1Pierre, SD 57501Ph: 605-224-4554, 1-800-439-5672Fax: 605-224-4833email: [email protected]

All we cover are South DakotaPublic Entities. You are our business.

endorsed by:

For More Information Contact:

hagan Benefits, inc.Celebrating 25 Years of Service!Liability & Property877-273-1712www.hagangroup.com

For More InformationContact:

Workers’ Compensation800-233-9073

www.sdmlwcfund.com

Sponsored by:SD association of

County Commissioners

Specializing inWorkers’ Compensation

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Your County AssociationSponsored Program

South Dakota PublicAssurance Alliance

The MAJORITY of the CountyOfficials protect their Tax Payers byhaving their Liability and PropertyCoverages through the SDPAA.

We have broad specializedcoverage for public entities inthe following areas:• General Liability• Automobile Liability• Automobile Physical Damage• Public Officials Liability• Law Enforcement Liability• Property Coverage• Boiler CoverageVolunteers, Appointed andElected Officials are included.

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Pierre, SDPermit No. 5

may county comment

Documents

life cycle costs

use of life cycle costing

life cycle cost forms

life cycle cost advantage

caterpillar yellow

trademarks of caterpillar

butler machinery

lower total costs