The Lake County Commission approved a couple of franchise applications during its meeting on Tuesday.

Commissioners approved an electric franchise application for Southeastern Electric Cooperative, which  is headquartered in Marion and serves several counties in southeastern South Dakota, with some members in the southern portion of Lake County.  The application is for a franchise for Southeastern Electric to construct rural electric and distribution lines in, along, and across the public highways of Lake County for a period of 20 years.  Commissioners approved the application and a subsequent resolution.

Commissioners on Tuesday also approved an application for franchise for Northwestern Energy to construct, lay, maintain, and operate natural gas pipelines and mains in, along, and across the public highways of Lake County.  This is also for a period of 20 years.  Commissioners also approved the application and subsequent resolution for Northwestern Energy.  

In other business on Tuesday, Lake County Commissioners also approved a couple of personnel items.  Commissioners approved the hiring of Jennifer Miller as a full-time 911 Communications Dispatcher-Trainee.  Miller’s hiring is approved at a rate of $15.25 an hour, effective today.

They also approved the hiring of Mark Johnson as a Heavy Equipment Operator for the county’s Highway Department.  Johnson’s hiring is approved at a rate of $18.25 an hour, effective today.  The approval of both new hires is contingent upon successful background checks and pre-employment screening.Â