BELLE FOURCHE-Commissioner Stan Harms has handed in his resignation from the Butte County Commission and plans to retire out of the state.
Tuesday, June 18 was his last commission meeting. Harms has been on the county commission for nearly 20 years. Harms noted that he couldn’t remember when he had first been elected to the position. Following expressions of gratitude and compliments, Harms was given a standing ovation for his tenure on the commission.
Earlier, during Public Comments, Dale Simanton had brought forward that a commissioner was in the process of moving and should step down. This was addressed during the Commissioners’ comments.
Sue Broadhurst questioned the expense of more flowers and food, wondering if that was purchased for the election. She also mentioned that the bridge over Red Water on Snoma Road needs attention.
A recount for District
VSO Jasen Saivong has been busy with veteran transports and making connections for the vets. He will be deployed in July to go overseas for 10 months. In his absence, local vets will be able to notify VSO offices in Lawrence and Meade Counties, along with the State VSO office.
A recount is scheduled for District 4 Commission race between Sue Broadhurst and Terry Batterman for Monday, June 24. A recount board was named by Judge Day. The results will be available that day.
States Attorney LeEllen McCartney asked that the commissioners change the Opioid Settlement monies to include the Northern Hills Drug Court. Presently, the money is divided among ABC, New Dawn, and Teen Court. Northern Hills Drug Court has been in operation since 2007 and has a high success rate. The program enables a person battling addiction the chance to enter a long-term drug and alcohol treatment center under the strict supervision of trained professionals. The program helps with basic needs such as housing and travel. It operates in Butte, Meade, and Lawrence counties.
Commissioners voted to include Northern Hills Drug Court, making a four-way split of the opioid settlement money.
Sheriff Fred Lamphere reported on the law enforcement building concept in conjunction with the Belle Fourche Police Department. The city would like to have a commitment from the county soon. However, the cost of leasing space poses a large investment with really no return for the 30 year commitment according to Lamphere.
“It’s a big investment but in the end, it’s not ours. We need to go back to where we were in the beginning,” Lamphere said.
The commissioners agreed and decided to give Lamphere the go-ahead to follow other ideas.
Rushmore Cannabis Care LLC Cultivation was renewed for another year. The decision was made with no dissenting votes.
Auditor Annie Capp informed the commissioners that the seven properties owned by the county have been appraised and are ready to sell. JD Hewitt will handle the marketing of the properties.
The newly proposed Revised Cannabis Ordinance was discussed by McCartney. She explained changes that had been made, especially related to input by the State. The ordinance shuld be ready by in July. The first reading will be July 23. The auditor has been working on the 2025 budget, preparing for the first reading also.
The next regular meeting will be July 2 at 9:30 am.
