[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6326160,"mediaKeyId","2326400-b78896872d44d1e42564a8d2885d2d25","parentId",2326400,"title","Sheriff: testing of locking systems in new Public Safety & Services Center to begin; employee tours scheduled","audioSeconds",49,"startMs",4002000,"endMs",4051000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2326400-b78896872d44d1e42564a8d2885d2d25&start=4002&end=4051","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2326400-b78896872d44d1e42564a8d2885d2d25/thumbnail_4002000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6326160/Lawrence-County/South-Dakota/Sheriff-testing-of-locking-systems-in-new-Public-Safety-Services-Center-to-begin-employee-tours-scheduled","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326160-7821f4183117361b36e7ae896ba43266/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196032&Signature=gBhy9ey8ARNadhghunCehMTN1OuVxpvUX7AwEi~OT0shZGQLPg6mv8alCTTdHS6TcxnyIa29yTFtN1cSiXLHcuAoj8~pAWgLA9i4w79b5GHEhPxU1AtK3ZTHagFHg9s606Re3rr-3ECiuFSufXSU2CzDUyNJrjy4zurzQXox2-u6ChlvknZeEhBKfzXwqDW272S5aiMBnuEG~DPsiMU1HHevh~b7gRKto4lX5Sl8a3Ojld9oB0FRO~8vi~z21EGumbVHOFX5hSyLsSaRKeoY6SqSm8uQoKL7HUo0jRaeY5OGaiTtRO8K~-OjhhTqfur-dXJ3l0ZrlSOK1fVWRHmE~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lawrence County, South Dakota - County Government ","date","2025-01-06T00:00:00Z","article","Sheriff Dean told the Lawrence County Commission that testing of all locking mechanisms at the new Public Safety & Services Center is expected to begin imminently and that the testing phase is likely to take about five weeks.

The sheriff said county employees and one guest each are invited to a tour of the facility; the first such tour was scheduled for the following evening at 5:30 p.m. He described the start of lock testing as a sign that construction is nearing completion.

Sheriff Dean also reported that jail population numbers were low at the time of the meeting and that the department was finishing sentences for some inmates and preparing lists for upcoming service of sentences.

Why it matters: The testing of security systems is a key step in bringing the new facility into operation. Tours give county staff first-hand knowledge of facility layout and systems before occupancy and operations transition.

What was said (direct quote): Sheriff Dean: \"This process alone is estimated to take about 5 weeks.\" He also confirmed tours were scheduled and invited county employees to sign the list for the tour.

Next steps: Security-system testing to proceed, staff tours to take place, and the sheriff's office will continue to update commissioners about timelines and operational readiness.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lawrence County Commission Meeting -January 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Sheriff Dean reported that testing for all locking mechanisms at the county's new Public Safety & Services Center should begin shortly and estimated the testing process will take about five weeks; county employee tours are scheduled.","taxTitle","Lawrence County, South Dakota","taxId",62160,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6326166,"Commission adopts countywide master transportation plan; staff to refine road-maintenance criteria and work with Forest Service",463,4260000,4723000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2326400-b78896872d44d1e42564a8d2885d2d25&start=4260&end=4723","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2326400-b78896872d44d1e42564a8d2885d2d25/thumbnail_4260000.jpg","/articles/6326166/Lawrence-County/South-Dakota/Commission-adopts-countywide-master-transportation-plan-staff-to-refine-road-maintenance-criteria-and-work-with-Forest-Service","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326166-e335f8d98b29419d20f630fb4b2295f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196032&Signature=UpDBcL6WYJtcfpTZ932M5aBf6xHC01ikKP8s4w89yi-nf2~1dTNuZ0EoEGFbqVE5InNQno8DJ6NDMAhHt1xPSD8~a7bk9X-x7xMmtVaIUi~HERWm-LqIuhWP7m2Al-KHLLL9AZmK~sIvOrsFOGtw9CeNtXs~JwwtTHgnaLCfa69-hfw0t2SWTl91NaZSzTpl-FNpeYtDEwD27gHSC1kOkGs4uCzXmo6TaUOprOg-Bkcfp4rhC2gBHhvxKIUTS~dLJmgc7gzBvWS-b9w0EY5PQafT1rmgmtJVrtkeX81Fen176O6ayhFRmkPDxeRmRWHpzbp4v4rqFxZi6YJgmcT1kg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lawrence County Commission voted to accept a countywide master transportation plan, and county highway staff and commissioners discussed next steps for setting maintenance-level criteria and potential agreements with the U.S. Forest Service.

Highway staff advised the plan is not mandatory and contains many recommended projects that could later fall to municipal jurisdictions. The plan's approval was framed as a first step to qualify for future funding, such as state grants, and to make projects eligible for engineering and grant applications.

Commissioners asked for clearer guidance about traffic-impact studies and developer responsibilities. One commissioner noted that, when the city required a traffic count for a high-impact subdivision, turn lanes and other improvements followed; similar approaches could apply under the countywide plan when development materially affects county roads.

Staff also raised the issue of dozens of roads on the county system that the Forest Service has identified for potential transfer or for which the Forest Service requested county snow-plow agreements. Commissioners directed staff to provide a copy of previously used road-maintenance criteria and place a focused agenda item on the next meeting to propose clear criteria for maintenance-level changes (for example, excluding single-user driveways that function as private accesses).

Why it matters: Adoption of a master transportation plan creates an official, countywide roadmap that local leaders can use to pursue funding and to coordinate with municipalities and state agencies for road improvements. Deciding maintenance criteria and agreements with the Forest Service affects which roads receive snow removal and long-term county maintenance.

What commissioners noted: Commissioners agreed the plan is countywide and that the county may simultaneously pursue an agreement or coordinated plan with the city of Spearfish in parallel. County staff will provide the older maintenance-policy document and prepare a focused discussion for the next meeting.","Lawrence County commissioners approved the countywide master transportation plan and directed staff to return with criteria for maintenance-level changes and potential agreements with the U.S. Forest Service on snow removal and road responsibility.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6326171,"Auditor's determination on referendum petitions acknowledged by commissioners; board affirms no authority to place measure on ballot",112,4128000,4240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2326400-b78896872d44d1e42564a8d2885d2d25&start=4128&end=4240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2326400-b78896872d44d1e42564a8d2885d2d25/thumbnail_4128000.jpg","/articles/6326171/Lawrence-County/South-Dakota/Auditors-determination-on-referendum-petitions-acknowledged-by-commissioners-board-affirms-no-authority-to-place-measure-on-ballot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326171-fa078df169007eeb57ce536d52a71175/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196032&Signature=bhFkCmbhab6ik9ataJG1EvELg8V5~amehjECjhYUl9STrS7jlShQSzLcAfp-OYqm4MkZAjggTQR3AkFicUICMaaVkxKWM13S5OEmbf7Ti9qPW~7jHcliiTZK3XRzMp9OD0muMjdcq8EJhbAHV3ozyefOJkNZLtFIOkhB4zZoIHqbbweY~xvVAlCEQ~L8tgXGToSIYJBKla9MtzAa2~MGF2nNMwr0U-ysPUu7yww5dpDW50C4G~HEPHAF6y3Miu2bDuNWM4NfK~z6KfukANLuchPGEyb2XYaPV2Pj27GdaDSosM3EOpC29C3V0XPPIPaW9V3eeWKdMda8w15i8I2FXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lawrence County's auditor presented a written determination regarding referendum petitions and the commission formally accepted that advice, concluding the county does not have authority to certify the measure for placement on the ballot.

Auditor Brenda delivered a written opinion regarding the petitions and the board held a motion to approve and accept the auditor's letters. A commissioner asked the board to state explicitly that it agreed there was no authority to certify the measure for the ballot; that statement was included in the motion and the board approved it by voice vote.

Why it matters: The auditor's legal determination closes the immediate procedural path for placing the referenced petition-driven measure on the county ballot. The commissioners' vote to accept the auditor's letters clarifies the county's administrative position and was recorded to appear in the official minutes.

What happened at the meeting: Commissioner Richard moved to approve the auditor's letters and explicitly stated that the board agreed there was no authority to certify the petitions for placement on the ballot. The motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

No further legal or statutory sources were cited on the record during the discussion; commissioners said they were acting on the auditor's written opinion and declined to take independent action to certify the petition to the ballot.","County auditors issued and presented a determination denying certification of referendum petitions; the commission voted to accept the auditor's letters and noted it lacks authority to certify the measure for ballot placement.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6326176,"Lawrence County commissioners approve routine resolutions, personnel changes and multiple board appointments",5563,831000,6394000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2326400-b78896872d44d1e42564a8d2885d2d25&start=831&end=6394","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2326400-b78896872d44d1e42564a8d2885d2d25/thumbnail_831000.jpg","/articles/6326176/Lawrence-County/South-Dakota/Lawrence-County-commissioners-approve-routine-resolutions-personnel-changes-and-multiple-board-appointments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326176-5682fee95f811a3f928dc899f85be92b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196032&Signature=o5tBpQYmcC2FkqjnQ89Ro3R3Dn5Kq~dBeN~LZo4bN0MfL1jlBajIS-CDvxwys80sgG8dhj7XrVtU4iG~56YYRMZ0bQ2lUq4znHhJz3iQC~aAcqgc5attd14glIiOt5GNRi475XxslUZltxlmqiE3Bk88ssWxbZ3tDGx7IbT6ETFDF8tFEnr4Y4jihSYsozjb36I8-9uzcOBDC6OVhWWznl8lBrMpUbC80VKWD1G1viF3id7ZwONSJItKqjk6xn-Wnx2vUk7Bj7hewqsKeD2KoiHvKE28FniH~Y2ApqoO5tnvBAUze-nIC220Z7s0ioSh~rVvWjrtmU7bbIpkzXGKSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lawrence County Commission on a single morning approved a series of routine resolutions, personnel actions, fee schedules and board appointments, including the county's elected-officials pay schedule, designation of polling locations, depositories and planning-and-zoning fee changes.

The votes were largely procedural and passed by voice vote. One substantive recorded split occurred on adding state-recognized holidays to the county holiday list, which passed 4-1 after an amendment.

The package included resolutions to set elected officials' compensation and precinct polling places; designation of the Black Hills Pioneer as the county's legal newspaper; adoption of a planning and zoning fee schedule; updated inmate incarceration daily fees; and routine administrative items such as cell-phone per diem rates and reinstatement of sheriff's office positions for 2025.

Commissioners also approved a range of personnel and payroll items presented by departments: classification changes and new position effective dates, cell-phone stipends standardized across three tiers ($50, $75 and $104 per month), and the county's longevity and wage scales to memorialize budget decisions for 2025. The sheriff's office staffing plan was reinstated for 2025 and included two chief deputies, two lieutenants, four sergeants, 11 deputies and a complement of jail and dispatch staff.

A number of board and committee appointments were confirmed, including making the county commission act as the board of adjustment and building-code board where indicated; appointments to natural resources, fair board, Lawrence County Housing, and multiple advisory councils were also approved. Volunteer search-and-rescue and emergency-management rosters were approved for insurance/workers-comp coverage.

Planning and zoning matters handled during the meeting included approval of several preliminary and final plats and exempt-plat determinations where owners consolidated lots or reconfigured lot lines; planning staff reported fire-mitigation plans on file or in process where required.

Votes at a glance
- Motion to approve the amended agenda: approved (voice).
- Resolution 2025-1 (elected-officials compensation): approved (voice).
- Resolution 2025-2 (designation of polling places/precincts): approved (voice).
- Resolution 2025-3 (designation of depositories): approved (voice).
- Resolution 2025-4 (planning and zoning fee schedule): approved (voice).
- Resolution 2025-5 (inmate incarceration fee schedule; several per-day fee updates): approved (voice).
- Resolution 2025-6 (indigent burial fee schedule): approved (voice).
- Designation of Black Hills Pioneer as legal newspaper: approved (voice).
- Multiple personnel classification changes and effective dates (sheriff's office, emergency management, information systems, equalization, planning & zoning): approved (voice).
- Cell-phone per diem standardization (tiers of $50, $75, $104; some effective dates 12/29/2024 noted): approved (voice); one employee's stipend to be finalized later.
- Reinstatement of full-time sheriff's office positions for 2025 (list of ranks and counts): approved (voice).
- Volunteer search-and-rescue and emergency-management rosters (for insurance/work comp): approved (voice).
- Holiday observance list with amendment to include state-recognized holidays: approved 4-1.
- Numerous board and committee appointments (natural resources, fair board, planning & zoning, revolving loan fund, library board, economic development and others): approved (voice).
- Multiple plats (preliminary and final) and lot-line adjustments in Spearfish Canyon, Apple Springs/4 Birds in the Hills, David Winter parcel, North Rochford area and others: approved (motions; details recorded in planning docket).

Why it matters: These routine approvals set the county's administrative, payroll and service-delivery baseline for 2025, confirm who will represent the county on intergovernmental and advisory bodies, and clear several land-planning actions needed for private development and county compliance.

What commissioners noted: Commissioners and staff framed most items as standard year-start housekeeping: setting pay scales, designating legal and banking relationships, and updating fee schedules to match prior planning-and-zoning recommendations. One commissioner pressed for clarity on fee-language grammar and asked for documentation on per-diem tiers and fire-mitigation bonds for plats when appropriate.

The meeting closed after the routine block of agenda items and a short public-comment period.","At its regular meeting, the Lawrence County Commission approved a package of resolutions and routine personnel and administrative actions, adopted a planning fee schedule and carried dozens of appointments and plats; one holiday policy amendment passed 4-1.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sheriff: testing of locking systems in new Public Safety & Services Center to begin; employee tours scheduled

Commission adopts countywide master transportation plan; staff to refine road-maintenance criteria and work with Forest Service

Auditor's determination on referendum petitions acknowledged by commissioners; board affirms no authority to place measure on ballot

Lawrence County commissioners approve routine resolutions, personnel changes and multiple board appointments