Brookings sheriff's deputies bought $29,000 of retail gas at a successor's donor's station
Brookings County Commission minutes show the commission approved 10 claims from the Aurora Quick Stop for sheriff's deputy fuel between January and October 2026, totaling about $29,400, often listed as fuel bought while county pumps were down. The Dakota Scout reported on Oct. 30, 2026 that the station's owner made a maximum campaign contribution to the successor endorsed by retiring Sheriff Marty Stanwick, and that the station's sheriff's office sales jumped more than 3,000 percent. At the Oct. 20 meeting, Commissioner Dave Miller asked why deputies buy fuel at retail prices when the county highway shop sells it wholesale. Stanwick said local fuel is sometimes cheaper, that he spends money in towns he contracts with, and that he would use the highway shop if the commission told him to. The minutes record no action on the purchases.
defending nearly $30,000 in fuel purchases at the Aurora Quick Stop through the first 10 months of this year
Miller said there was a $4,000 claim for fuel to the Aurora Quick Stop. Miller asked why deputies are purchasing fuel at retail prices when we can get wholesale at the highway shop.
Aurora Quick Stop, Deputy Fuel While Pumps Down, $7,231.37;
Said fuel at the highway shop is sometimes more expensive than buying locally, and he would use it if the commission asked.
Attributed the increase to changes in county fueling procedures.
No outcome recorded yet.