I am writing this letter to make taxpayers aware of some recent decisions your county commissioners have made that have detrimental impacts on several small businesses in Charles Mix County.

We were recently informed, based on a proposal by the county auditor and voted on by your county commissioners, that a one year fuel contract was awarded to Vollan Oil, whose headquarters are in Baltic, SD. I'm pretty positive that Vollan Oil Company does not pay any property taxes to Charles Mix County. There are highway department sheds in Platte, Geddes, Lake Andes and Wagner. All four sheds purchase diesel fuel from a supplier in their town. All of these businesses depend on the sales from the county for support. The businesses in each town have respected the others territory when it comes to county sheds, no one tries to outbid or infringe on the other company's sales area.

Now, all of these small businesses will feel the impact of the county commissioner's decision. I have contacted the other managers of these businesses and they are outraged. We feel that the commissioners and the auditor need to be held accountable to the taxpayers for their decisions. How does securing a one year contract for all the shops seem economical with oil prices being volatile? Several managers of the businesses voiced their opinions to the commissioners, stating that the annual contract doesn't work for the small business but it fell on deaf ears. Also, none of these businesses were given a formal invitation to bid the contract.

So, my question to you the taxpayers is this: Are the commissioners you elected really doing what's best for Charles Mix County? If there decisions end up hurting local businesses that pay property taxes, then my answer is NO!