The Marshall County Commission met Thursday and addressed several items related to the June 2 primary election and the upcoming Republican gubernatorial runoff election.
Commissioners conducted the joint canvass of the primary election results along with representatives of local government entities that participated in the election, including Kelli Erickson of the Britton-Hecla School Board, Laken Werner of the City of Britton and Matt Fries of the City of Langford. Because the canvass was conducted jointly, the participating entities are not required to canvass results separately at their own meetings. The canvass was approved and forwarded to the South Dakota Secretary of State.
The board also conducted the post-election audit drawing, selecting Precinct 1 races for governor and District 1 House representative for review. The audit is scheduled for June 17.
Commissioners approved a precinct location resolution for the Republican gubernatorial runoff election, which will be held Tuesday, July 28. Marshall County Auditor Megan Biel said absentee and mail-in voting will begin June 12. Voter registration for the runoff election must be completed by July 13.
Biel noted the county will use hand-counted paper ballots for the runoff election, a method that many South Dakota counties are adopting because it saves both time and money.
Voters who cast ballots at the Marshall County Community Building in Britton during the primary election will vote at the Britton Event Center for the runoff. Precincts 1, 2, 3, 8 and 9 will vote at the Event Center, while polling locations in all other towns and townships will remain unchanged. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
In other business, Highway Superintendent Dustin Hofland reported the county may have secured additional funding for the Fort Sisseton Road project, potentially totaling up to $500,000. Hofland also said the county was still waiting for asphalt to become available for pothole repairs, noting that the plant producing patching material had not yet opened as of last week.
The commission approved a courtroom audio-visual equipment upgrade. Through a grant from the Fifth Judicial Circuit, the county will receive $10,000 toward the project and will be responsible for approximately $2,300 in remaining costs. The upgrades will integrate courtroom audio with the computer system used for virtual hearings and testimony and allow remote audio to be recorded directly into the court record.
Commissioners also received an update from Kristin Hofland of GROW South Dakota. The board appointed Andrea Kilker to serve on the Northeast Council of Governments board and discussed inquiring about Erin Collins-Miles serving as a member-at-large for the organization.
In zoning matters, the commission approved a variance request submitted by Terri Glodrey in Lake Township.
During discussion items, commissioners determined that a previously permitted fence (Building Permit No. 61-25) is compliant and that no further action is necessary. In regard to a previously approved variance for a deck, applicants were given 60 days to complete the requirements outlined in the original motion approved Sept. 9, 2025.
Commissioners also approved a drainage permit submitted by Kirk Rabenberg in Waverly Township with no changes.
The board approved plats for Quamen Ravine Outlot 1 in McKinley Township and Quamen Ravine Outlot 2 in Veblen Township.
Building permits were approved for Terri A. Glodrey (variance) and Amy Jo Vietor, both in Lake Township; Wallace Holman in Buffalo Township; Mackenzie Montague in Eden Township; Sandra King in Hamilton Township; Michael and Myra Stavick in Veblen Township; and Jeff and Janine Wing in Red Iron Lake Township.
In other business, the board adopted Ordinance 77, which updates the Marshall County Zoning Ordinance. The ordinance will become effective June 30, 2026. Commissioners also adopted the Marshall County Comprehensive Plan, which will take effect June 30, 2026.
