Codington County commissioners on Tuesday agreed to pay $189,000 to Brookings-based engineering firm Banner Associates for bid-ready plans to repair an ice-damaged bridge on County Road 7.
Banner engineer Mark Junker told commissioners that submitting the bid-ready plans would increase the bridge’s state Bridge Improvement Grant (BIG) score by 10 points. The bridge currently has a score of 42.6, which Junker said is historically too low to receive a BIG grant.
The $189,000 payment represents the estimated 1,200 hours of study and development time Banner will need to create a repair plan. The plan is expected to be completed next year, and the state may take until spring 2026 to announce whether the grant has been awarded.
If financed, the state would cover 80 percent of the costs and construction could begin in 2027.
County Road 7 is a gravel road and the bridge is currently closed to car and pickup truck traffic. Due to its condition, the bridge is inspected annually rather than every two years as required by the state. If the condition worsens, the bridge would have to be closed.
County Highway Administration Director Rick Hartley said the $189,000 was not included in his 2025 budget, but adjustments would be made to cover the cost.
Regarding another bridge, Hartley’s monthly report included a note that bidding for a bridge over the Big Sioux River on County Highway 20-4 (177 Street) will begin on October 16. It is currently uncertain when work on the bridge will begin.
Another gravel road, 31 Street, which leads to Watertown’s new $36 million ice arena, will be reconfigured with three culverts to allow for better water drainage. Once the area is reconfigured and paved, county workers will install concrete barriers along the side of the road to prevent accidents.
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Childcare remains a problem in Watertown
A potential child care crisis was again discussed during the public meeting. Commissioner Troy VanDusen told other council members about Monday’s Watertown City Council meeting, which included several parents who spoke emotionally about the situation at Little Blessings Daycare, the county’s largest daycare center, which is on the verge of closing.
According to VanDusen, some parents said they would have to quit their jobs if a solution to the shortage of daycare places could not be found.
The Benedictine sisters of the Mother of God Monastery in Watertown have offered a building large enough to house children from Little Blessings and more, but the sisters need financial support to begin renovating the building.
“This is a big deal for our community,” VanDusen said. “Let’s talk about this as a community. Let’s find a way to make this happen.”
Commissioner Charlie Waterman, who previously opposed giving the county money to expand daycare centers, said he spoke to 12 people and none were interested in using public money to support a private company.
In his report, County Facilities Director Steve Mohlengraaf said work to remodel parking lots north and west of the Extension Complex will begin in early September. The western entrance to the facility will be closed. He also said installation of a fire suppression system at the facility will begin in October.
In other details, Mohlengraaf said work on the county jail’s HVAC system is progressing well and that Memorial Park will remain open through September. As of Aug. 19, the park had collected $134,209 in reservation fees and on-site sales.
In other action, commissioners approved the purchase of a new electric wheelchair lift from Access Elevators and Lifts, valued at $27,910. The new lift will replace the current one at the south entrance of the courthouse. Also approved was the consolidation of some voting precincts in preparation for the Nov. 5 election. Auditor Brenda Hanten said the measures would reduce county expenses.
