HURON — The Beadle County Commission approved a letter of support for People’s Transit Tuesday morning during its regular meeting. People’s Transist Executive Director Gayle Kludt stated that the letter will assist People’s Transit in grant applications to acquire propane-powered buses.

Kludt explained that with current grants, People’s Transit will add eight new transports this year, four of which will be replacements for aged buses. Others will give the organization additional buses as the current fleet is all at use with daily riders.

COVID led to a 90% drop in ridership for People’s Transit, Kludt explained. Over the last three years, ridership has returned back and even beyond previous ridership levels, which can exceed 200 riders per day. Kludt relayed that just short of half of all riders are youth and children.

The meeting opened with Jason Fritzsche, the county’s highway department supervisor. Fritzsche expressed that warmer weather has allowed for culvert cleaning that typically is done later in the spring. Crack routing will be done this week with sealing to follow next week.

The commission approved a purchase of a belly dump through Butler Machinery for $65,518.12. A proclamation was also signed recognizing National Work Zone Awareness Week April 15-19.

Brandie Pitts from the Legislative Audit office presented the review of the 2021-2022 audit, finding incidental things that she stated were minor, such as ensuring a new staff member has been indicated as a hire in the commission minutes before first pay period.

The commission also approved two plats.

Thursday, March 21, is the State of the County luncheon at the Huron Event Center. The next regular meeting of the commission is March 26.