HURON –– The Beadle County Commission approved a pair of plats filed at their regular meeting Tuesday morning.

The first plat was filed to split a parcel of land to two parcels for future building by the children of current owners. The second plat was a plat to separate a building site from agriculture land for purposes of sale.

The commission heard from highway superintendent Jason Fritzsche to open the meeting. Fritzsche presented annual fuel and supply bids. These were approved.

Fritzsche then joined with the commission to discuss farming right-of-ways with a representative of Bonilla township. He reported that multiple farmers farmed the entirety of the ditch and tore up access roads during last year’s farming season, and the township raised the fee for doing so, but they’re not sure that will deter offenders.

The commission encouraged adding even steeper punishments for violations, but also encouraged the township to ensure everything is documented in meeting notes and through letters to offenders. Commissioners and Fritzsche both discussed the option of the township destroying any crops planted into right-of-ways, but this was viewed as a last resort.

The commission then had a lengthy discussion with Kurt Johns of Welter Funeral Home and Larry Cross of Riverside Cemetery regarding indigent burials. Further conversation will occur with State’s Attorney Alyssa Horn regarding potential rewording of the existing indigent burial contract through the county.

The commission also approved rescinding approval for a plat of land in joint jurisdictional area. This parcel is being redrawn and the county will consider approval again at that point.

The Beadle County Commission will next meet on Tuesday, March 25, at 9 a.m. in the commission room on the second floor of the county courthouse.