Codington County to receive more than $500k in relief from flood damage
Just over a half-million dollars of flood damage in Codington County has been validated by state officials, Emergency Management Director Andrew Delgado told county commissioners Tuesday morning.
Delgado said he presented the state with $658,318.86 in damage during a visit to the capital earlier this month. The state validated $502,593 in damages, which meets the threshold for reimbursement established by the Federal Emergency Management Association.
Until a disaster declaration is made by U.S. President Joe Biden, however, no federal dollars will be sent to the state. Delgado said the declaration may not happen for another 6 to 8 weeks.
Delgado said damage sites not validated by state officials still could be eligible for FEMA reimbursement once FEMA officials arrive and view the actual photos and documentation accumulated by county and township officials.
Commissioners conducted regular business for 25 minutes before going into executive session for approximately 15 minutes to discuss authorizing the release of a damage estimate from Dakota Claims Service of Watertown to contractor The Roofers & Restoration. Following the session, the commissioner did approve the release of the document.
According to county officials, negotiations are in progress between the county’s insurer and The Roofers & Restoration regarding repairs to a county building at Memorial Park damaged earlier this year by a burst water pipe.
Sheriff Brad Howell presented his department’s report for April. His office was contacted 539 times, including 7 for vehicle accidents. Fifty-four warrants were issued during April, and 174 civil papers were served. Deputies amassed 3,060 miles in 11 trips to various locations while transporting 16 individuals.
Last month the Codington County Detention Center had a daily average of 49.17 inmates, including a high of 55 on April 2 and a low of 42 on the 20th. The number of convicted individuals not incarcerated but monitored by various daily or weekly methods was 131.
Howell also told commissioners that 3 vehicles ordered last December have not yet had a build date set by the manufacturer. He said the vehicles they are set to replace have very high mileage and repair costs are a concern.
What will soon be deployed for the sheriff and deputies are new body and vehicle cameras that were ordered earlier this year. Howell said the equipment is being installed and should be ready before week’s end.
Commission actions on agenda items included:
• Approving a plat resolution in the K&V Peterson Addition in Kampeska Township. Luke Muller, county zoning officer, said the change in a 1-acre plat had been approved by the county Planning & Zoning Board.
• Approving the declaration of 3 computers in the Register of Deeds Office as surplus for the purpose of destroying them. The computers have been replaced by newer models.
• Approved a tax abatement application totaling $36,172. The City of Watertown had approved the abatement, which was in a tax increment financing district. The property was eligible for a discretionary formula but no application was made.
The commissioners reminding county residents that county offices will be closed Monday, May 29 for the Memorial Day Holiday. And since Tuesday, May 30 is the 5th Tuesday of the month, there will be no commission meeting. The next meeting will be June 6, and a burn ban will be discussed.
This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Codington County to receive over $500k in relief from flood damage
