HURON –– The Beadle County Commission met Tuesday in their first meeting since the passing of chairperson Doug Ramsell. Denis Drake led the meeting and opened with a moment of silence.

Drake proposed that flags on county property be flown at half staff until after the funeral for Ramsell on Friday. The commission also stated that county offices would be closed on Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to allow county employees to attend Ramsell’s funeral.

With Drake moving to chair, Jared Zerfoss was nominated to take the role of vice chair for the remainder of 2025. This was approved.

Commissioners discussed the vacant position for District No. 4. An article will be put in the paper on Monday to request those living in District 4 interested in the position to submit their names before the June 24 meeting, when commissioners will select a person to appoint to the role for the remainder of the term, which would be up for election in 2026.

Commissioners approved a pay request submitted by Graves Construction in the amount of $94,950 for work on a box culvert in Burr Oak Township.

Commissioners approved the partial release of two county liens tied to properties purchased through a county land auction.

Jenny Hammrich, Third Court Administrator, discussed the move of drug court staff into the courthouse and the potential move of other court-related staff into the courthouse. For the work on the office for drug court employees, commissioners approved Hammrich to apply for the courthouse security grant to help finance the replacement of carpet and reconfiguration of the space.

Commissioners will next meet on June 24 at 9 a.m. in the commission room on the second floor of the courthouse. In July, the commission will meet three times to work through the 2026 budget. Meetings will be on July 8, 15, and 29.