Miller, Then and Now
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The SINGLE COPY $1.25 tax included lllerler rressess USPS 349-720 Vol. 139 No.M 22 www.themillerpress.com [email protected] Miller,P Hand County, SD 57362 Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021 Miller, then and now... Greg Jones & Sheilah Hall/Facebook | The Miller Press | Jan. 30, 2021 John T. Page | The Miller Press | Jan. 30, 2021 OVER THE PAST HUNDRED YEARS, Miller underwent signifi cant changes. Cars look diff erent, some buildings, like the one that houses Rexall, still stand, while others do not. However, the town of Miller soldiers on against the relentless tides of changing times, and continues to leave its own little mark on central South Dakota. Drought conditions continue to 4th Street sidewalk grant denied Jan Kittelson citizens needing utility applications to fi ll them out deteriorate across South Dakota Kecia Beranek, On Hand Development, gave an up- themselves or pay their bill without assistance from a South Dakotans’ apprehen- of warmer, cooler or near-average date on the 2021 start to the Miller City Council on fi nance offi ce employee. It would also allow citizens to sion of an impending drought has temperatures for the month over- Tuesday, Jan. 19. fi le their own building permits. The one item Coss and been growing, and rightfully so, all. For the three-month period of Mayor Ron Blachford called the meeting to order at the council thought would be the best is the ability to says Laura Edwards, SDSU Exten- February through April, odds start 7 p.m. with all alderpersons present. contact those who signed up for the service to be alert- sion State Climatologist. According to lean towards warmer than aver- A Business Recruitment Plan for Hand County area ed to street closures, water supply being distributed. It to the latest National Oceanic and age temperatures for all but the far was the number one topic on Beranek’s list. On Hand could also alert customers when past due bill cut off Atmospheric Administration cli- northwest corner of the state.” Development has set aside $15,000 in matching funds day would be. This would replace the current website mate outlook, there will be minimal The precipitation outlook shows for hiring bonus recruitment money. Beranek stated which cost $2,000 per year. moisture reprieve in the months to February slightly more likely to they want to help businesses recruit good quality em- The cost of this software would be $8,560 but would come. have wetter than average conditions ployees. allow a savings on the current autopay system of $200. The U.S. Drought Monitor map for all parts of the state but the far Business visits will be back on Beranek’s list of du- The yearly cost of the system is approximately $3,060. released January 21 shows over 60 southern tier along the Nebraska ties in 2021. There are currently eight loans totaling The item was tabled to allow more investigation. percent of the state in Moderate border. $624,000. Beranek also reported one lot is left at the Coss also gave a report on the fi nancial state of the (D1) to Extreme (D3) drought cat- “This is still in our winter season Industrial Park and a signed purchase agreement has city. The General Fund had an increase of $560,930 in egories. The remaining nearly 40 where precipitation is historically been received on it. On Hand is currently searching for revenue over the budgeted amount ($1,981,344.52 ac- percent is in the Abnormally Dry low, so a couple of big storms could additional property for a new industrial park. tual -$1,420,414. budgeted). The biggest increases were (D0) category. Three months ago, easily bring the monthly total above Sidewalk loans for business are available at 2 per- in taxes collected and intergovernmental revenues. only 42 percent of the state was in average,” Edwards says. “For the cent and Beranek is working on a program to try to Expenses also helped increase the bottom line of the the Moderate to Extreme drought next three months into April, there get new signs and awnings for the downtown area. A City of Miller. Miller spent $294,507.95 less than what categories is more uncertainty and almost all ‘Welcome to Miller’ sign for the west entrance to Mill- was budgeted ($1,839,580.00 budgeted - $1,545,072 Edwards says the lack of precipi- of the state is shown to have equal er was identifi ed as a need by the visit to Miller project actual) this left $855,438 in the general fund at the end tation recently has made a dry situ- chances of wetter, drier or near-av- last year and Beranek is working on it. of year 2020. ation worse, as soil and surface wa- erage precipitation.” The Miller Community Center has six weddings The electric department also had a good year. Reve- ter are also evaporating during this “Many areas of the state were booked for 2021, the most ever with a possible seventh nue for the electric department was $2,310,374 with ex- abnormally warm winter. four or more inches below aver- considering the venue. This led to the discussion on a penses at $2,421,652. These totals were far off the bud- “The lack of snow cover is not age precipitation in 2020,” Edwards hotel to be attached to the Community Center. Alder- geted amount due to electric savings by customers. able to protect winter wheat from says. “The winter warmth is allow- man Bob Steers questioned Beranek on the status of Water revenue was $1,838,810 with expenses at possible frost damage, should ar- ing for more moisture loss when it the search for investors. She stated most outside inves- $1,785,551.32 for an end of the year 2020 with a posi- eas see extreme cold temperatures,” is often ‘locked’ in as frozen soils tors want local investors as well. tive of $53,259.04. The budgeted amounts were almost Edwards says. “People who en- and waterways.” Alderman Tony Rangel questioned the amount of lo- perfect. Sewer numbers were also almost exact the joy outdoor winter recreation have As a result of the dry period from cal investment they were requiring. Beranek stated that budgeted amounts. Sewer revenue was $2,573568.06 struggled without snow for snow- late summer through January, near- money investment is only part of the equation, chain with expenses at $2,551,159.72 for an end of year in mobiling, sledding and cross-coun- ly everywhere in the state is carry- hotels are looking for managers, clerks and hotel staff the black of $22,408.34. try skiing. Ski areas in the Black ing a shortage of soil moisture to as local investment as well. The aldermen were very pleased with the state of Hills have had to improvise, making start the 2021 growing season for Miller Day at the Capitol will be February 17. Winter city’s fi nances and commented looking back a few snow for their runs in order to stay grasses, pastures, row crops, gar- crazy days will be February 19-20. Beranek also ques- years they see a huge difference. open for business this season. Thin dens and trees. Edwards says while tioned if the council wanted a question-and-answer Coss will be researching options for savings. She ice on many lakes and waterways winter precipitation can help in im- meeting again. The council agreed it was a positive will bring options to the council during the next coun- has made ice fi shing unsafe.” proving drought conditions, it can outcome last year but were concerned with COVID. cil meeting. The next council meeting is Feb. 1, 2021. Last week, the NOAA Climate also run off frozen ground instead A grant has been approved to Prediction Center released its Feb- of infi ltrating into the soil. study the storm water system. This ruary outlook as well as its three- In addition to a dry winter, La study will specifi cally study the wa- Run for local offi ce, here’s how month outlook through April. Tem- Niña conditions — driven by cold- ter issue near East Second Street John T. Page perature expectations for South er waters in the Pacifi c Ocean near and East Seventh Avenue, and the Several positions on the Miller City Council, St. Lawrence and Ree Dakota in February start with a bit the equator by South America — water issue near East First Ave. Heights Boards of Trustees, and Miller School District Board of Education, of uncertainty, Edwards says. are in place this season. These con- The grant was received through the and the Mayor of the City of Miller are up for grabs during the next election. “Currently, computer models are ditions often can change the jet Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. These positions are essential to the operation of the county and the steps showing some fl uctuations between stream patterns over North Ameri- The community access grant the for getting your name on the ballot are surprisingly simple. colder and warmer than average for ca. For South Dakota, past La Niña City of Miller applied for to have The fi rst step is acquiring a petition, which became available on Jan. 29, the start of the month ahead,” Ed- winter seasons have brought cold- sidewalksconstructed on East Fifth 2021. Depending on what position you are running for, you can pick them wards says. “The outlook indicates er than average temperatures, but Street was denied. The state re- up at diff erent places.