HURON –– The Beadle County Commission discussed the Sunday grass fire near Wolsey as part of a brief meeting on Tuesday.

Highway superintendent Jason Fritzsche reported that he reviewed the damage from the fire to county structures, including some charring on a county bridge East of Wolsey. The bridge has been inspected and is structurally sound.

Fritzsche also presented a pay request for $162,271.94 to Graves Construction for a box culvert replacement in Burr Oak township. This was approved.

Emergency management director and weed supervisor Dave Jensen opened with a new hire for the weed department for a seasonal part-time employee, backdated to May 5. This was approved.

He also discussed the quote from MidDakota Vegetation Management for weed management. Jensen explained that with the new hire approved, weed management should be handled in-house through the summer, but the quote was approved on an as-needed, hourly basis for use later in the season if needed.

Jensen then discussed the Wolsey fire. He reported that 235 acres were burned in the blaze. Fire departments from Wessington, Hitchcock, and Miller assisted in fighting the fire, with assistance from the Hand County emergency management office, S.D. Highway Patrol, and Beadle County Sheriff’s Dept.

Jensen stated that the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Commissioners also approved 2025 township boards and an adjustment in rent on the building the county rents on the South Dakota State Fairgrounds. They also approved a travel request for the equalization office employees to attend a conference in Mitchell, June 10-13.

Commissioners closed the meeting with an executive session with the Beadle state’s attorney.

The next county commission meeting is May 27 at 9 a.m. in the commission room at the courthouse.