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Codington County Approves $45,465 Transfer for Court-Appointed Attorneys, $1.19 Million in Claims

Writer: Steve Jurrens
Steve Jurrens
2 hours ago
2 min read
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Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Codington County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, to approve a $45,465.38 transfer from the commissioner contingency fund to cover court-appointed attorney expenses and authorized more than $1.19 million in claims for payment.


Commissioner Contingency Transfer

At Tuesday's meeting at the Codington County Courthouse in Watertown, Auditor Brenda Hanten told commissioners the county's court-appointed attorney budget is currently overspent by $45,465.38.


Commissioner Lee Gabel (District 1) moved to transfer $45,465.38 from the commissioner contingency fund to supplement the court-appointed attorney budget, and Commissioner Tyler McElhany (District 2) seconded.

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In response to a question from Gabel about the remaining balance in the contingency fund, Hanten noted that the county had not spent any money from the commissioner contingency budget before Tuesday's transfer.


Hanten added that Codington County is scheduled to receive state-shared revenue soon to help offset court-appointed attorney costs. Once those state funds arrive, the board will hold a formal public hearing to supplement the budget and apply that funding toward the court-appointed attorney line item.

"That's one line, it's just almost impossible to budget for because we never know," Chairman Troy VanDusen (District 4) said.

The board approved the contingency transfer unanimously by voice vote.

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Claims for Payment and Other Business

Under claims for payment, commissioners unanimously approved two items:


·         Monthly Jail Claim: Approved in the amount of $1,184,499.16 following a motion by Gabel and a second by McElhany.

·         Watertown School District Paper Order: Approved in the amount of $6,011.65 for the county's paper order following a motion by Commissioner Myron Johnson (District 3) and a second by McElhany.


Hanten reported that the board had no abatement applications or automatic budget supplements to consider Tuesday.

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