Property Tax Relief for Elderly and Disabled Residents

South Dakotans have until April 1, 2012, to apply for property tax relief under the state's assessment freeze program for elderly and disabled residents.

To qualify for the program, applicants must have owned a single-family dwelling and lived in South Dakota for at least one year and have lived in that dwelling for at least 200 days of the previous year.

Income cannot exceed $25,116 for a single-member household or $31,395 for a multiple-member household.  Residents must also be 65 years of age or older or disabled according to the Social Security Act to qualify.

Applications are available from local county treasurer's offices or by contacting the Department of Revenue in Pierre at 773-3139 or 1-800-829-9188.  Additional information is available at:  http://www.state.sd.us/drr2/propspectax/property/relief.htm.

Meade County Institutes Immediate Burn Ban

The Meade County Commission met in emergency session today to initiate an immediate county-wide burn ban.  Due to the extreme fire dangers that exist, we immediately institute a burn ban in Meade County, until it is deemed by the commission that conditions have improved.

Veteran's Benefits Briefing Scheduled for 4/20/12 at 6pm

There will be a briefing concerning Veteran's Benefits at the Meade County Commissioners Briefing Room located in the Erskine Building on Sherman Street at 6 p.m., Friday, April 20th.  Information will be provided on Veteran's disability benefits, VA Healthcare Eligibility, Burial Benefits, Military Records Retrieval, and Spouse's Pensions.  This is a great opportunity to have your questions answered concerning the VA.

Meade County New District Boundaries

The Board of Meade County Commissioners voted on February 7, 2012, to approve new district boundaries in Meade County. The need to redistrict is due to the 2010 Census numbers, which indicated a change in population numbers among the districts. To ensure even population distribution, the commissioners voted to change the district lines slightly. The new district map can be viewed here:  Redistrict Map Zoned in 2012

New Rules for Re-Roofing with Asphalt Shingles

Please see the new handout listing rules for re-roofing with asphalt shingles:

• Asphalt Shingles - Re-Roofing Handout

On-Site Wastewater System/Septic System Inspections

Effective October 11th, 2011, all sellers of properties with on-site wastewater systems (septic systems), except for agricultural exempted properties, must have their on-site wastewater system inspected by a South Dakota DENR Certified Wastewater Installer.  The installer must be licensed with Meade County, and the tank must be pumped at or within 6 months of the closing date of the sale.  A written inspection report must be completed by this inspector and a copy must be filed with the Equalization/Planning Department.  Properties classified for property tax purposes as agricultural land and which are intended for primarily agricultural use, are exempt from this requirement.

The form to be filed may be downloaded here:  Time of Sale Inspection Form