Codington County Court-Appointed Attorney Budget Falls $45,465 Into Deficit

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Codington County Auditor Brenda Hanten informed commissioners Tuesday that the county’s court‑appointed attorney budget has entered a significant deficit, prompting the need for a contingency transfer and a future public hearing to supplement the fund. Commissioners also approved the month’s claims and addressed routine financial items.

Court-Appointed Attorney Budget in Deficit

Hanten then alerted the board to a growing shortfall in the court‑appointed attorney budget.

“I have been waiting for our state shared revenue to come back. I have not received that yet this year,” she said. “So next week I will have it on the agenda to do a commissioner contingency transfer over into our court‑appointed attorney because right now we are at a negative $45,465.38.”

Hanten noted the county received its shared revenue by September 16 last year, but no payment has not arrived this year.

“I’m not sure what the holdup is,” she said.

Once received, it will help offset the deficit, but a public hearing will still be required for the budget supplement. Hanten said she is trying to preserve as much commissioner contingency funding as possible.

Monthly Claims Total $1.64 Million

Commissioners then reviewed the county’s monthly claims. Hanten reported the total amount at $1,640,272.73, which included an added claim of $590.

Of that total, $665,184.50 represented state pass‑through funds, leaving the county’s actual expenditure at $975,088.23.

Commissioner Tyler McElhany moved to approve the claims, with Commissioner Lee Gabel seconding. The motion carried unanimously.

The board then moved to the next agenda item — action to approve automatic budget supplements — with Hanten indicating that further adjustments will be brought forward further adjustments once the state shared revenue arrives and the public hearing can be scheduled.