HURON — Museum director Louise Van Poll presented a report of the 2022 activities in Beadle County museums to the Beadle County commission on Tuesday morning as part of the regular meeting.

Van Poll noted that the museums have two part-time employees along with her to caretake the four museums and 50,000 items under her care.

She also observed that visitors came from seven countries and 19 states to museums in Huron in 2022.

Van Poll mentioned multiple grants that she has worked to secure for historical preservation and restoration with the museums and the ongoing work to do so at all four museums. She also thanked her board for the hours of volunteer work done over the past year and looked forward to 2023.

The commission opened the meeting hearing from highway superintendent Jason Fritzsche and Greg Vavara of South Dakota Local Transportation Assistance Program (SDLTAP) spoke to the commission regarding the rural access infrastructure funding available to the county and to townships.

After discussion regarding the rules of the programs and availability of townships, the commission made plans with Vavara to return for a future time to explain to township representatives the programs in more depth. Information about these programs will be distributed to townships at the upcoming townships meeting with the county.

Summit Carbon Solutions presented to the commission that while the state has less than 60% of the state committed through easements to the pipeline plan in the state, Beadle County is more than 80% committed. Of the 31 miles of pipeline within the county, seven miles remain to be contracted. Summit will not begin construction on the pipeline until late 2023 at the soonest after a September hearing with the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission.

Equalization director Kim Eichstadt informed the commission that a tax exemption was missed in her office for Huron Regional Medical Center, and her office is working on correcting this.

The commissioners also approved four property reconveyances and a plat. A conditional use permit for Kaboomers Fireworks stand was approved.

Register of Deeds Judy Rodacker informed staff that she has hired a part-time clerk in her office. With the addition of this clerk, the commission approved the 2023 employee listing and the 2023 general policies. Commissioners did express the intention to have department heads meet at the next meeting to discuss any potential amendments to the approved policies.

The dive team, search team, and storm spotter rosters were all approved.

The commissioners will meet on Feb. 14 for a regular meeting at 9 a.m. and will also meet with towns and townships that evening.