By Sara Strong
For the first time, the state is giving all counties the option of taxing gravel extraction rather than granting it on the previous county-by-county basis.
Rock County has considered the tax before but brought it up at the joint meeting of township boards and Rock County Commissioners Tuesday.
The townships will continue to consider the issue with the county in a meeting that calls for one representative from each township to join the County Board for discussion.
State law calls for the county to receive 60 percent of the tax revenue, the townships to receive 30 percent and the remaining 10 percent to go into a fund for reclaiming gravel pits when they are abandoned.
The meeting between townships and the county will first explore whether there is township support for the tax and then determine how the 30-percent township portion should be allocated.
The state doesn't specify whether the township of the gravel's origin should get a higher portion of the revenue, whether it should be split equally among townships or whether it should have a different formula altogether.
The gravel tax was first discussed as a way to recoup costs of wear on roads used by heavy gravel equipment. It also considers that gravel is a resource that, once gone from the county, can't be replaced.
The gravel tax would be a production tax - the extractor pays quarterly based on the amount of gravel mined.
The law was modeled after the iron ore tax.
All gravel, no matter if its origin was outside the county, would be taxed at the same rate.
Within the next 15 years, the gravel supply is expected to be in high demand, according to County Engineer Mark Sehr.
Now in the state, 23 counties have a gravel tax, but this is the first year the Legislature opened it up to all counties.
Rural watchdogs
Signs of drug use or manufacturing may not be on the forefront of most township residents' minds, but Deputy Evan Verbrugge said they can be a big help to the local police department.
"The county is small, but yet it can be big, so if you suspect something's going on, let us know," Verbrugge said. "We might not be able to see what you do."
He spoke to township representatives on the signs of drug use and manufacturing, which is becoming more common in rural areas.
Verbrugge pointed out that tips could lead to an investigation that might take some time to garner a search warrant. He asked people to be patient in waiting for results from their tips, because they often aren't immediate.
Farmers with anhydrous ammonia are asked to keep their supplies out of reach of thieves and to report any suspected thefts or tampering.
Even if a methamphetamine manufacturer isn't caught with the drug product, just tampering with anhydrous ammonia is a felony that carries a five-year sentence.
Verbrugge went over the chemicals used to make the drug and supplies that often accompany the use and manufacture of meth, or speed.
Some of those materials are: ephedrine, iodine, lithium batteries, lye, anhydrous ammonia, match boxes, salts, household cleaners, alcohol, ether, bowls, blenders, hot plates, rubber gloves, gas cans, rubber tubing, coffee filters and paper towels.
Many other similar products, although common on their own, signal possible meth manufacturing.
The speed drug (sometimes called crank, ice, chalk or crystal) shows up in users as symptoms like sores on skin, body odor, poor hygiene, paranoia and lack of sleep.
Verbrugge reminded people that touching the product itself or anything related is hazardous and that law enforcement should be the first call.
Sheriff Ron McClure said the county calls in state experts to handle manufacturing sites because of the dangers. If there is a spill on a manufacturing site, McClure said, even the dirt has to be removed.
The best way to help law enforcement is to record suspicious activity. Jotting down a license plate, description and time of day helps officers because they often get a call and the vehicle or person is gone.
Township residents can sometimes be more aware of unusual traffic patterns on roads that used to see little activity. They might notice a presence at a formerly abandoned rural building.
Verbrugge and McClure urge people to call with information that may seem small because it could spur the department to do further investigations.
The talk with township officials Tuesday has already gotten the department feedback. Wednesday morning McClure reported that his office got a call from someone who attended the township meeting. That person reported a suspicious vehicle on a gravel road.
A deputy checked on the vehicle, which was sitting on the side of the road. The driver was listening to South Dakota law enforcement on a scanner and upon further investigation, was found to be wanted on three warrants.
A chase ended in South Dakota with an arrest that might not have happened without the tip.