Wind energy project taxes raise more than $1 million for schools, more

J.T. Fey, special to the Public Opinion
·3 min read

Taxes on 3 wind energy projects raised more than $1.1 million dollars for some Codington County schools, townships and county government in 2022, according to information provided at Tuesday’s county commission meeting.

The total — $1,182,340.68 — was revealed as part of an agenda item listed as “payments for nameplate capacity and production tax” for the wind projects, which are Crowned Ridge 1, Crowned Ridge 2 and Dakota Range 1 and 2.

Revenue is based on the number of towers within each governmental district. The Waverly School District received the most dollars, $540,848.30, followed by county government at $413,819.24.

The remaining recipients were Waverly Township ($75,170.46), Watertown School District ($50,322.05), Kranzburg Township ($38,322.17), Germantown Township ($32,166.86), Leola Township ($27,076.99) and Rauville Township ($4,614.61).

During his monthly report, Veterans Service Officer Todd Rose revealed the U.S. Highway 212 bridge over Willow Creek in Watertown will be dedicated to Charles Langenfeld, a 1965 graduate of Watertown High School who was killed April 17, 1968 in Vietnam.

According to the nomination submitted by Bruce Hestad of Watertown, Langenfeld was a corpsman during the 77-day siege of Khe Sanh, an American fire base near the demilitarized zone separating North and South Vietnam. Lawrence McCartney, who served with Langenfeld during battle, said Langenfeld helped save the lives of more than 50 soldiers before being killed just 8 hours before he had been scheduled to return to the United States.

A date and time for the dedication has not yet been announced.

Rose urged veterans who were exposed to any type of toxic substance to take advantage of the Honor the Pack law of 2022, which provides compensation for those affected by exposure to such work as a lab technician, fueler and aircraft mechanic, to name a few. In part due to the law, Veterans Administration claims have increased by 35% in 2023.

Commissioner Myron Johnson credited Rose for his work in assisting veterans.

“Todd is well known in the community for his excellence in working with veterans,” Johnson said. “He needs to be recognized.”

Tuesday’s meeting lasted just over 30 minutes. Agenda items receiving approval by the commissioners included:

• $49,475 to Warne Plumbing of Watertown for 7 new toilets and 9 lavatories – all stainless steel – to replace their ceramic counterparts in the county detention center. The cost includes $2,000 for shipping.

• $23,840.94 to Eastside Equipment of Watertown for a Kubota diesel utility vehicle. The county’s current 2014 vehicle will be moved to Memorial Park to assist with maintenance. The new vehicle will be mounted with equipment for the spraying of weeds.

• $5,430 to Connecting Point of Watertown for a new computer in the Register of Deeds office.

• Discharged $148,791.48 in county liens of deceased citizens.

The commission also noted the county Extension Center will be closed Friday, May 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. to allow employees to attend the funeral of Linda Lenards, mother of county 4-H Youth Advisor Jodi Loehrer. The zoning office will be open from 9 a.m. to noon.

This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Wind energy project taxes raise more than $1 million for schools, more