Facility Manager Details Maintenance Issues, Park Activity, Weed Control Plans, West Nile Concerns, & 2027 Budget Requests

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Codington County Facility Manager Steve Molengraaf delivered one of the longer and more detailed reports of Tuesday’s commission meeting, covering summer operations, infrastructure repairs, biological pest control, West Nile activity, and five separate 2027 budget proposals.

Commissioners also approved a firewall upgrade for the Extension Complex after an extended discussion about internet failures during large events.

Molengraaf’s report touched nearly every corner of county facilities — from courthouse plumbing failures to mosquito fogging thresholds — reflecting the broad scope of his dual role overseeing facilities and weed control.

Ag Building: Busy Summer Season and 4‑H Preparation

Molengraaf said the Ag Building and Expo facilities continue to host a steady stream of auctions, weddings, receptions, and meetings throughout the summer. The barn is fully set up for 4‑H Achievement Days, scheduled for the first week of August.

The Blackburn Foundation is scheduled for the week of August 10 to perform sidewalk lifting and repairs, addressing settling issues around the Expo grounds.

Courthouse Drain Line Failure: Lining Required Due to Marble Floors and Concrete Structure

A significant maintenance issue emerged in the courthouse: a leaking drain line in the women’s restroom, dripping into the Clerk of Courts office below.

Because the restroom floor is marble and the ceiling below is solid concrete, replacing the sewer line would require major demolition. Molengraaf said Midwest Lining inspected the issue and recommended lining the existing pipe instead of replacing it.

“The remedy would be to line that instead of replacing that drain line,” Molengraaf said, noting the complexity of the building’s construction.

He also noted the department will welcome a new employee on August 1, adding needed support as the detention center prepares to relocate and the Community Services building expands.

County Park: Strong Revenue and Completed Weed Spraying

The county park continues to see high usage:

·         1,502 reservations so far this season

·         $132,212.46 in revenue as of Sunday

Weed spraying for the year is complete, though breezy conditions pushed the schedule later than usual.

“We typically try to get it done by the first of July, but conditions made it tougher,” Molengraaf said.

Emerald Ash Borer Biocontrol Releases

Molengraaf is assisting USDA APHIS with biological control releases targeting the emerald ash borer, an invasive pest threatening ash trees statewide.

Releases began last month, with additional deployments planned this month.

West Nile Update: Two Cases, One Death in South Dakota

Molengraaf reported the latest Department of Health update: two confirmed West Nile cases statewide, including one death.

“It’s not a very good success rate,” Commissioner McElhaney said.

Molengraaf noted mosquito trap counts are at the threshold for fogging, and he leaves fogging decisions to individual communities. So far, four fogging events have occurred this season. Codington County conducted fogging last week.

2027 Budget Reviews

Molengraaf presented five separate budgets, each with detailed explanations and commissioner questions.

Government Buildings Budget: Part‑Time Custodian and $300,000 Register Replacement

Molengraaf proposed adding a part‑time custodian to handle increased workload once the detention center relocates and Community Services expands.

Most line items remain stable, but one major capital improvement stands out: $300,000 to replace aging air registers throughout the courthouse. The current registers are decades old, and replacement parts are no longer available.

“They’ve been using parts and pieces off and on to try to fix some of these,” Molengraaf said. “A lot of components are no longer available.”

Commissioner Gabel asked whether the new system would be a modern version.

“They’re more advanced, updated — more like digital type systems instead of turn valves,” Molengraaf said.

Ag Building Budget: Digital Signage and Barn Door Replacement

The Ag Building budget remains largely unchanged, with standard COLA wage increases.

Two capital items were included:

·         Digital roadside signage to replace manual lettering

·         Overhead barn door replacement, now in poor condition

Molengraaf has been budgeting for digital signage for several years and hopes to move forward depending on current‑year balances.

Weed Control Budget: Reinstating Weed Supervisor Position

The Weed Control budget includes a major change: reinstating the Weed Supervisor position.

Molengraaf, who currently serves as both Facility Manager and Weed Supervisor, said he is turning 65 this year and wants to restore the position for future continuity.

He explained that when he accepted the Facility Manager role years ago, he requested that the Weed Supervisor position remain in the structure so he could return to it if needed. However, the position was never added to the wage study.

Commissioner Gabel praised the foresight.

“That’s showing some foresight,” Gabel said.

Commissioner McElhaney clarified the history for the public:

“Steve had been the weed supervisor, and when our previous facilities manager retired, Steve’s been dual‑hatted since then.”

County Park Budget: Maintenance Increase for Aging Facilities

The County Park budget remains stable except for a $20,000 increase in maintenance and repair, driven by aging infrastructure such as water heaters and lighting systems.

West Nile Prevention Budget: $27,000 Fogger Replacement

The county’s mosquito fogger can no longer be automatically throttled, and replacement parts are unavailable. Molengraaf budgeted $27,000 for a new fogger.

“They are not cheap,” he said.

Firewall Upgrade Approved for Extension Complex

Commissioners approved Molengraaf’s recommendation to upgrade the Extension Complex firewall, which was installed in 2013–2014 and can only support 80 users.

During large events — especially auctions and the annual farm show — the building sees up to 300 people, causing internet failures.

Two Trees Technology provided three options:

·         MX75 (200 users) — $3,294

·         MX85 (250 users) — $4,991

·         MX105 (500 users) — $9,989

Molengraaf recommended the MX75, citing cost efficiency and realistic usage patterns.

Commissioner Johnson moved to approve the MX75, seconded by Commissioner McElhaney.

Commissioner Gabel asked for clarification:

“The definition of a user — these are vendors, correct?”

Molengraaf confirmed:

“Yep, vendors, people that can log in. They have to have a password.”

The motion passed unanimously.

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