2024 Voter Guide – ​COUNTY COMMISSIONER

Steven Friesen

Charles Gering

Bradley J. Henke

Randy Hague

Tod Kroeplin

Michael S Cowan

Jeff Willert

Shane Mentzer

Charles Bergeleen

Devonne Losing

Rodney Mann

Steven W. Iwan

Roger Walls

Ryan J Gebauer

Adam Leighton

Deb Reinicke

Dennis Slaughter

Charles J Johnson 

Bob Ewing

Rick Tysdal

Erica Douglas

If elected to the County Commission, what will your top priorities be in office?

• Closely examine expenditures & income sources. Find where we can cut “wants” & pass tax relief to the citizens of this county.
• Ensure commission is not impeding on citizen’s rights & that our decisions (my vote) are not punitive in nature.
• Listen to the constituents & make decisions in concert with their concerns – not before the public is even heard.
• Preserve the beauty of this county
• Consider the future generations with every decision made

How would you define the proper role of government, and how would you apply this to your role as County Commissioner?

The proper role of government is to ensure the rights of the people are respected & allow them to live their lives unbothered. Maintain public services with the greatest respect to tax payer & cut taxes wherever & whenever possible.

Betty Otten

If elected to the County Commission, what will your top priorities be in office?

• I led the effort resulting in the defeat of two tax increases by our Commissioners via referendum ballots – and will continue to protect residents from the burden of unnecessary taxation
• It is imperative that we conduct a thorough examination of our budgetary priorities. By exploring avenues for cost savings such as combining orders with other departments or municipalities, we could maximize the efficiency of our resources without compromising essential services
• Holding department heads to their approved budgets and implementing regular reporting mechanisms that will bring much-needed transparency to our county government

How would you define the proper role of government, and how would you apply this to your role as County Commissioner?

“The best government is that which governs least,” dating back to the 1830s when it became the motto for The United States Magazine and Democratic Review

 “That government is best which governs least,” was popularized by author Henry David Thoreau in 1849

 “Government of the people, by the people, for the people,” Abraham Lincoln proclaimed in his closing remarks during the Gettysburg Address in 1863 

• While elected officials must actually “govern”- to control and direct the making and administration of policy such as abiding by Planning & Zoning Ordinances – it’s also about accessibility. I will continue to champion the idea of scheduling one Lincoln County Commission evening meeting per month. This would give working members of our community the opportunity to voice their concerns and engage directly with their Commissioners. 

Thank you for the opportunity to share my priorities.

Duane A.M. Carlson

James C Jibben

Michael E Poppens

Douglas Putnam

Matthew B Schuller

Gerry Person

Jason D. Bender

Andrea Kilker

Leron Knebel Sr. 

Tom S Heumiller

Barney J Roling

Charles Liesinger

Peggy Bieber

Michael Jacob Mardian

Bruce Mack

Anthony Kunz

Joshua Ross

Doreen Allison Creed

Earl Severn

Melanie Torno

If elected to the County Commission, what will your top priorities be in office?

My top priority as a County Commissioner is to communicate with and learn about each of the departments within the county and to understand the perspective and the needs of each department, including financial matters.  By communicating with county officials and the constituents, it will assist in identifying the current successes, needs and wants, and areas of improvement, which will provide a framework for continuing to move the county forward in a positive manner. I have a proven record for sustainable growth, fiscal responsibility, and planning for future economic development. With my experience with multi-million dollar budgets, I will ensure future planning for responsible growth by assisting in identifying needs and resources while maintaining conservative fiscal responsibility.  

How would you define the proper role of government, and how would you apply this to your role as County Commissioner?

There are many different opinions on the proper role of government.  I believe the role of a County Commissioner is to listen to constituents, both individually and collectively, and then make decisions based on the wants and needs of all citizens.  I have a proven record of speaking with citizens and encouraging open discussion on matters that they would like to address and impact the community. As County Commissioner, I will have interactive conversations, research and understand the topics that are being discussed, and prayerfully consider how to proceed and/or vote on all issues presented to the Meade County Commission.

William (Bill) Huber

Dan Valburg

Vernon Brown

Kathy Faber

Cole Heisey

If elected to the County Commission, what will your top priorities be in office?

​​Ensuring that Minnehaha County remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family is very important to me. My main focus will be to balance economic growth with community needs and desires while preserving our character and values. Listening to people, involving community and business leaders, and working alongside every branch of government to achieve efficient and effective solutions—all these actions will be cornerstones of my policy-making process. I will prioritize property rights, limited government, and local control; ensure fiscal prudence and economic growth; uphold election integrity and public trust; support law enforcement and public safety; enhance transparency; and maintain a steadfast commitment to low taxes. In our rapidly growing county, many significant issues and tough decisions await; I am eager to tackle these challenges.

How would you define the proper role of government, and how would you apply this to your role as County Commissioner?

As often said, the best government is the one that governs least. Simultaneously, it actively safeguards the lives, liberty, and property of its citizens. At the county level, the government’s role is to responsibly steward community resources, ensuring they enhance residents’ lives and that every taxpayer dollar is spent wisely. This involves overseeing and funding essential county responsibilities, including the building and maintenance of roads, bridges, and other infrastructure, as well as providing other critical services. As County Commissioner, I will be dedicated to fostering a thriving county where citizens’ rights are protected and their voices heard.

Roger Russell

If elected to the County Commission, what will your top priorities be in office?

Priorities that are important to me include:

Voter Integrity. Fair and transparent elections are very important. Policies must be implemented so that they protect the integrity of the voting process to prevent voter fraud and maintain accurate voter rolls.

Private property rights. I will be an advocate for policies that protect and uphold the rights of property owners, by preventing eminent domain abuse, zoning regulations that respect property boundaries, and safeguards against government overreach.

Local control. I will advocate for policies that empower local communities to make decisions that reflect their unique needs and priorities, while resisting undue interference from higher levels of government.

Reasonable property taxes. I think it is important to maintain a balanced approach to property taxation that ensures adequate funding for essential public services while also minimizing the burden on property owners.

Public safety. It is important to maintain our public safety and administer justice.

Maintaining infrastructure. It is important to maintain a (word limit)

How would you define the proper role of government, and how would you apply this to your role as County Commissioner? 

In my opinion, the role of government is to serve and protect the rights of citizens, along with providing services such as public safety and infrastructure development. Governments should be limited though so as not to interfere with individuals’ freedoms and avoid unnecessary intrusion into the lives of citizens.

As a County Commissioner, I will view my role as a public servant. This will involve listening to constituents, being accessible and responsive to their feedback, and working to find solutions to local challenges. I will strive to ensure that Minnehaha County operates efficiently, maximizing the value of taxpayer dollars and delivering services in a cost effective manner. 

I will advocate for policies that empower local communities to make decisions that best suit their unique needs and priorities. This will include supporting local control over zoning, land use, and economic development, while also fostering partnerships between Minnehaha County and community members (word limit) to address local challenges collaboratively.

Dean E. Karsky

Dan Kippley

Randy Hemmer

Wendell W Yellow Bull

Ron Weifenbach

If elected to the County Commission, what will your top priorities be in office?

My priorities are to get back to the basics of county government.  Prioritizing tax payer dollars in a way that emphasizes public safety, roads,  water, sewer and infrastructure.  We will work with the front line workers and elected officials  in delivering best in class county services making sure we are creating an efficient and effective manner of delivery of public services necessary for the county citizens.  We will get back on track with conservative principles through the fiscal and policy making processes.

How would you define the proper role of government, and how would you apply this to your role as County Commissioner?

The proper role of government is to provide effective and efficient public services when it comes to public safety, roads, water and sewer in the county.  The county also oversees county licensing, planning and zoning, and county ordinances as they relate to state laws.  The most important role is that of good stewardship for the citizens’ concerns and well being in the county.  Protecting the interests of the county citizens is paramount when interacting with other public agencies and understanding the roles and interaction with intra related concerns as they are typically the same tax payers.

Lloyd LaCroix

Todd Trask

Jerry Wayne Derr

If elected to the County Commission, what will your top priorities be in office?

I will prioritize governmental transparency, fiscal responsibility, and community engagement. Transparency is an essential aspect of any well-functioning county government. The public must have easy access to and a clear understanding of governmental services, initiatives, and regulations.

Our county is experiencing increased growth and an upswing in property values; responsible management of this growth is imperative. The county budget is critical in determining the county’s share of your property tax contributions and influences the tax levies applied to your property’s taxable value. Ensuring a balanced budget focusing on essential county services like public safety and infrastructure is vital. Your government should not outpace your growth.

As a leader, I believe in considering different perspectives to better understand our county’s diverse needs. My goal is to ensure that our county’s services and priorities align with the needs of our citizens and communities.

How would you define the proper role of government, and how would you apply this to your role as a County Commissioner?

The government should have a limited role with minimal regulations that prioritize personal freedoms. This type of government maintains a lean governance model that meets our county’s essential needs. It only enforces necessary regulations that protect public safety, health, and welfare, avoiding excessive interference in daily life and business activities.

Citizens are best served by a local county government that prioritizes fiscal responsibility and makes decisions that lower taxes and reduce public spending. As a county commissioner, I am committed to turning these core principles into tangible actions. However, the county must provide critical services such as law enforcement, emergency services, and infrastructure maintenance to support our citizens.

My main goal is to assist our communities by collaborating with county leaders to offer necessary services without excessive government oversight. Additionally, I will encourage economic growth for individuals, businesses, and communities. I acknowledge that the county must plan for continued growth.

Eric A. Hansen

If elected to the County Commission, what will your top priorities be in office?

Property tax is the number one issue for this election period and has been the main issue in South Dakota for decades. I have heard discussion about cutting the county budget to reduce property tax. As a county we do not want to spend any more money than we have to, and we want to make sure we get the most out of every dollar we spend. But cutting the budget will be a short term remedy as it will not be sustainable. As our county continues to grow the demand for services will grow along with it, whether it is police, fire, Ambulance, aging infrastructure and roads. The true and long term solution needs to be implemented by the State legislature. A new tourism tax has been discussed which could have benefits. But they need to put in the bill how much it will offset property tax not just (word limit)

How would you define the proper role of government, and how would you apply this to your role as a County Commissioner?

I would like to streamline county department’s to the degree that will be practical and more helpful. I do not want to see county paperwork and practice’s effecting someone’s ability to get something in the county done. I have 30 years of owning and operating a Heating and air conditioning company so I have a very no nonsense mentality. With the ability to debate a subject and work with my fellow commissioner’s to make sure we are doing what is right for residents and our Great county.

Todd L Campbell

Kyle Carmichael

Jesse Zweber

Tonya A Tanner

John C Wager

Tim Zempel

John Dabek Jr

Earl Hinricher

Paul Larson

Steve Larson

Brian Johnson

Suzanne Smith

Thomas E Farmen

Michael Kenzy

Sonny Harrowa

Caleb Shepherd

Jerry Richards

Gregg F Grimshaw

Stephanie Murray Night Pipe

Clifford T Lafferty

Daniel Forgey

Jeremy D. Clay

Joyce Kartak

James A Jones

Joyce Willoughby

If elected to the County Commission, what will your top priorities be in office?

Advocating for Landowner rights

Advancing Economic Development

Promoting Public Safety

Preserving SD values

How would you define the proper role of government, and how would you apply this to your role as County Commissioner?

The proper role in government should be able to listen to people and work for the community. Keep an open mind and apply a strong faith on getting things done. 

Pray everyday as my role and work hard.

Sheila Hagemann

Ross “Mick” Miller

Greg Benson

Daniel Roth 

Michael A Dailey

Kevin E Joffer

Randy Carlson

Duane Mohr

Justin Jungwirth

Don Kettering

Wanda Howey-Fox

David Holmes

David E Pesicka

Lane Dalton Eaton

Lee Brooks

Bill Henderson