BROOKINGS — Two new members of the Brookings County Commission took their oaths of office at Tuesday morning’s meeting: Dave Miller of Brookings and Doug Post of Volga.

“I’m excited about this opportunity — eager, nervous, all of the above,” Miller said. “I’m looking forward to learning from all of you, and appreciate the opportunity.”

Post shared Miller’s sentiments. “I appreciate the opportunity to serve,” he said. “I’m looking to fill the big shoes that left this position.”

The men were elected to four-year terms in the Republican primary in June. There was no general election in November for the county commission, as no candidates were fielded by Democrats, independents or other political parties.

Miller and Post succeeded outgoing commissioners Ryan Krogman and Mike Bartley. The former retired from politics, while the latter was defeated in the three-way June primary.

“I’d like to thank those two fine individuals for the hard work that they’ve dedicated to this county,” Commissioner Kelly VanderWal said of Krogman and Bartley. “I in fact have learned a lot from those two individuals.”

Judge Gregory J. Stoltenburg administered the oath of office to Miller and Post. Also taking their oaths of office were States Attorney Dan Nelson and Finance Officer Lori Schultz.

Stoltenburg, of Brookings, was also recently reappointed as presiding judge for the Third Judicial Circuit. Stoltenburg’s reappointment follows the reselection of Steven Jensen as chief justice of the South Dakota Supreme Court.

Pursuant to Article V, Section 11 of the South Dakota Constitution, presiding judges are appointed by the chief justice and serve at the chief justice’s pleasure. Presiding judges are administrative heads of their respective circuits. The Third Judicial Circuit consists of Beadle, Brookings, Clark, Codington, Deuel, Grant, Hamlin, Hand, Jerauld, Kingsbury, Lake, Miner, Moody and Sanborn counties.

“Judge Stoltenburg exemplifies what it means to lead with integrity and dedication in the Third Judicial Circuit,” Jensen said. “His practical and insightful leadership of the circuit has continued to improve and uphold the standards of justice and the smooth operation of the courts in the circuit.”

Stoltenburg received his undergraduate degree from South Dakota State University in 1986 and his juris doctor from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 1995.

He worked as a law clerk for the South Dakota Supreme Court from 1995 to 1996, as Deuel County deputy state’s attorney from 1996 to 2000, as Deuel County state’s attorney from 2000 to 2012, and in private law practice from 1996 to 2012. He also served in the South Dakota Army National Guard from 1981 to 1993 and 1995 to 2017. Stoltenburg was appointed a circuit court judge for the Third Judicial Circuit in 2013 and has served as presiding judge since 2015.

In addition to Miller, Post and VanderWal, the other two county commission members are Larry Jensen and Shawn Hostler. Jensen will serve once again as chairperson for 2025, and VanderWal will also return as vice-chairperson for 2025.

In other business at Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners:

• Heard an update from Schultz on the county’s liquor licenses. Currently, the county has seven on-sale licenses and six off-sale licenses. She said all of the on-sale licenses are in use, while five of the off-sale licenses are available for use.
• Emergency Manager Bob Hill informed commissioners that he plans to attend a Jan. 16 meeting in Watertown regarding a CO2 pipeline proposed by Summit Carbon Solutions. If it’s built, a branch of that pipeline would serve Valero Renewables in Aurora. Some commissioners also expect to go to a similar meeting in De Smet, also on Jan. 16.
• On a voice vote, approved the Brookings Register, Volga Tribune, Tri-City Star and Elkton Record as the legal papers for Brookings County in 2025.
• Gave the go-ahead, on a voice vote, to name Richland State Bank, BankStar Financial, Citizens State Bank, First Bank & Trust of Brookings and Dacotah Bank as official depositories for county funds and monies in 2025.

— Editor's note: This story contains information from a South Dakota Unified Judicial System news release.

— Contact Mondell Keck at mkeck@brookingsregister.com.