Brookings County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Brookings County adopts alcoholic beverage license ordinance; bridge and courthouse contracts up next

The Brookings County Commission adopted a new ordinance establishing alcoholic beverage license requirements and fees at its July 21 meeting, passing Ordinance #2026-04 on a 5-0 vote. The ordinance sets out the application, approval, and renewal processes for on-sale and off-sale liquor licenses within the county.

Alcoholic beverage license ordinance approved

The Commission's July 21 vote on Ordinance #2026-04 was unanimous, 5-0. The ordinance details requirements, fees, and regulations for issuing alcoholic beverage licenses, covering both on-sale and off-sale liquor licenses and the procedures for applying, approving, and renewing them. Official minutes record the decision.

July 30 meeting: solid waste permit, election certification on agenda

The Commission met again on July 30, with minutes not yet published. The agenda called for a vote on Resolution #26-29 to approve a construction and operating permit for a solid waste facility. The Commission was also scheduled to certify the results of the July 28 gubernatorial run-off election. Additional agenda items included a Commission Department Director Report, a public hearing for citizen agenda requests described as non-binding, and an adjournment vote.

Outdoor Adventure Center Advisory Board holds procedural meeting

The Brookings County Outdoor Adventure Center Advisory Board met July 20. The agenda was limited to standard procedural business: confirming a quorum, approving the meeting agenda, approving the May 18, 2026 minutes, and approving the financial report — each by voice vote. The meeting also included a director's report and a 4-H Youth Advisor's report, with an opportunity for a citizen to request future agenda items. No substantive policy items were listed. The next advisory board meeting is scheduled for September 21, 2026. Minutes were not yet published.

Coming up

Brookings County Commission — Aug. 4, 2026. The Commission will consider several construction and engineering agreements: Agreement #26-46 with Holloway Bridge and Culvert, Inc. for Structure #06-240-123 and #06-240-141; Agreements #26-47 and #26-48 with Banner Associates, Inc. for construction engineering services; and Agreement #26-49 with DesignArc Group for the Courthouse Cupola Restoration Project. The Commission will also vote on requests to fill two Highway Department vacancies — a Heavy Equipment Operator and an Equipment Operator — and on an appointment to the Brookings Human Rights Commission.

Brookings County Planning & Zoning Commission — Aug. 4, 2026. Convening as the Board of Adjustment, the commission will hold public hearings on four applications from James Hey, all in Lake Hendricks Township. They include conditional use permit 2026cu008 for accessory buildings over 2,000 sq ft or with sidewalls above 14 ft in the Lake-Park District; variance 2026var012 for density, area, and yard regulations on Block 2 of Hanson Addition; after-the-fact variance 2026var011 for the same property as var012; and variance 2026var010 for Lots 9 & 10 Camara Beach at 106 N Lake Hendricks Drive.

Brookings County approves federal grant agreement; library funding raised in public comment

The Brookings County Commission approved a grant agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation during its July 9 meeting, authorizing Chairperson Hostler to sign Agreement #26-45 for the Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program. The vote was 5-0.

County Commission — July 7

The Commission approved its meeting agenda, consent agenda items including minutes and personnel actions, and a series of county claims, each by 5-0 votes. Members approved Human Services burial case #26-24 and denied Human Services rent case #26-25. Residents offered public comments regarding funding for the Brookings Public Library; no action on that topic appears in the minutes.

County Commission — July 9

In addition to the grant agreement, the Commission approved the July 9 meeting agenda 5-0. No further details on the Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program grant amount or scope were included in the minutes.

Housing & Redevelopment Commission — July 16

The Brookings County Housing & Redevelopment Commission unanimously accepted its agenda and the April 16, 2026 minutes. It approved financial reports for the Brookings County Section 8 Voucher Program and MOD Rehab, also unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 12:22 p.m., and the next quarterly meeting was set for October 15, 2026.

Board of Adjustment & Planning & Zoning — July 7 (agendas only)

The Joint Board of Adjustment was scheduled to review variance application 2026jjvar001 for 517 58th Ave, Brookings, regarding Aquifer Protection Zone A performance standards. Minutes have not yet been published, so no outcome is available.

The Planning & Zoning Commission, convening as the Board of Adjustment, was set to consider two applications: variance application 2026var009 by Geff Goodfellow for property at 19989 462nd Ave, Bruce, regarding agricultural district area regulations; and conditional use permit 2026cu007 by The Tower, LLC for a wireless telecommunication tower in Medary Township. The board requires a two-thirds vote for variance approval and a majority vote for conditional use permits. Minutes have not yet been published.

765kV Transmission Line Advisory Committee — July 9 (agenda only)

The committee was scheduled to approve June 10, 2026 minutes and discuss subcommittee membership, the subcommittee's purpose statement, the Brookings County Comprehensive Plan, and the Zoning Ordinance. No action items were scheduled. Minutes have not yet been published.

Coming up

• **July 20 — Outdoor Adventure Center Advisory Board:** Standard procedural business including approval of the agenda, May 18 minutes, and a financial report, plus a director's report and a 4-H Youth Advisor's report. Next meeting is September 21, 2026.
• **July 21 — County Commission:** Public hearing and second reading on Ordinance 2026-04 regarding alcoholic beverage license requirements and fees. Also on the agenda: Resolution #26-26 to purchase and install two generators through Sourcewell; Resolutions #26-27 and #26-28 for 2027 Bridge Improvement Grant applications; a budget supplement of $38,150 for election poll pads and $1,500 for Veterans Services travel; and the appointment of Erin Lavender-Stott to the Brookings Human Rights Commission.