This will the $176 affecting law groceries and replace the compacts distribute a that worked huge
truth is, it repeals the tax on ANYTHING sold for passing IM-28 will create a gigantic hole in our state actually very bad for South Dakotans. vast majority of South Dakotans DO NOT WANT cutting at least human tobacco, beverages, & human children, of IM-28. sales taxes
• South Dakotans Against a State Income Tax
• Coalition for Responsible Taxation
• Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce
• SD Association of Cooperatives
• SD Bankers Association
• SD Cattlemen’s Association
• SD Chamber of Commerce & Industry
• SD Economic Development Professionals Association
• SD Education Association
• SD Farm Bureau
• SD Hotel & Lodging Association
• SD Licensed Beverage Dealers & Gaming Association
• SD Municipal League
• SD Music & Vending Association
• SD Petroleum & Propane Marketers
• SD Retailers Association
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We look forward to serving your public finance needs!
2. IM-28 will kill cities and towns, preventing them from collecting sales taxes on the same items.
Our communities are prohibited from taxing anything the state can’t tax. This will cut a major source of revenue for South Dakota cities and towns, above the $176 million loss to the state, resulting in additional local budget cuts affecting law enforcement, roads, pools and parks.
DIRECTOR’S NOTES
3. IM-28 is a trap — deliberately setting us up for a state income tax. IM-28, by the way it is drafted, is deliberately MUCH broader than groceries and is designed to force South Dakota to implement a state income tax to replace the lost revenue.
SARA RANKIN | SDML EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
4. IM-28 will reduce funding for Tribal governments via sales tax compacts with the state.
Tribes in South Dakota have compact agreements with the state to distribute a portion of sales tax collections to them; this would substantially diminish that funding source.
Initiated Measure 28 Will Be Devastating for South Dakota Towns and Cities
5. IM-28 is poorly written and creates major problems. South Dakota has a low, broad-based sales tax (currently 4.2%) that has worked well for decades. Passing this sloppy, ill-conceived measure would be a huge mistake. We need to VOTE NO on IM-28.
As South Dakotans head to the polls next month, a critical ballot measure, IM-28, promises to reshape our state’s tax landscape. While its proponents argue it will simplify tax collection and provide relief for consumers, the hidden cost of this measure is a potential $51.5 million blow to municipalities across South Dakota.
IM-28 proposes to alter the current taxation framework by removing statelevel sales tax on “anything sold for human consumption.” On the surface, this might seem like a win for consumers, however, this measure is in direct conflict with South Dakota Codified Law (SDCL) 10-52-2, which allows cities and towns to impose a sales tax of up to 2% on the same items taxed at the state level. If the state stops collecting tax on these items, municipalities would be forced to follow suit, effectively cutting off a crucial revenue stream.
The Attorney General’s opinion on IM-28 underscores the gravity of this issue. According to the opinion, the measure “may affect the state's obligations under the tobacco master settlement agreement and the streamlined sales tax agreement.”
Furthermore, the vague language of “human consumption” in IM-28 opens the door for broader implications. This terminology could lead to the repeal of sales tax on various everyday items beyond just food and beverages, including tobacco, candy, soda, and medicines.
• SD Association of Cooperatives
• SD Bankers Association
• SD Cattlemen’s Association
• SD Chamber of Commerce & Industry
• SD Economic Development Professionals Association
• SD Education Association
• SD Farm Bureau
• SD Hotel & Lodging Association
• SD Licensed Beverage Dealers & Gaming Association
• SD Municipal League
• SD Music & Vending Association
• SD Petroleum & Propane Marketers
• SD Retailers Association
Should IM-28 pass, municipalities stand to lose an estimated $51.5 million in revenue. This figure is not just a statistic but a reflection of the vital services and infrastructure that would be jeopardized. The financial shortfall could cripple efforts to fix streets, update aging infrastructure, and maintain city facilities such as libraries and swimming pools. Parks, which offer essential recreational spaces and community gathering spots, could face reductions in maintenance and programming.
IM-28 undermines the financial stability of local governments, placing an undue strain on municipal budgets and forcing cities to find alternative revenue sources or cut essential services. Such a scenario would likely lead to higher property taxes or other local fees, placing additional financial pressure on residents already grappling with economic challenges.
It is essential to recognize that while IM-28 may offer short-term relief for some, the long-term consequences for South Dakota’s municipalities are severe.
In making an informed decision about IM-28, South Dakotans must weigh the immediate benefi ts against the substantial costs. The health of our municipalities, the upkeep of our infrastructure, and the quality of our local services are all at stake. Before casting a vote, it is crucial to consider whether the suggested benefits of IM-28 outweigh the very real and potentially devastating impacts it could have on our local communities.
Dist. 5 | Kristi Honeywell, City Administrator, Pierre
Dist. 6 | Rick Boschee Mayor, Bowdle
Dist. 7 | Gary Weismantel Mayor, Herreid
Dist. 8 | Brittany Smith City Administrator, Philip
Dist. 9 | Laurie Woodward
City Administrator/Finance Officer, Custer
Dist. 10 | Gina Carpenter Human Resources Officer, Belle Fourche
LEAGUE STAFF
Executive Director
Jessica Carr Director of Member Engagement
Emilie Miller Director of Marketing and Communications
Lisa Nold Director of Risk Sharing Services
Lori Butler Director of Finance
Jackie Lopour Accounting Assistant
Rob Peterson Director of Municipal Electric Services
Krista Kerns Administrative Services Coordinator
SD Public Assurance Alliance
Lynn Bren Executive Director
Kristina Peterson Deputy Director
Becky Brunsing Member Services Representative
Susan Kiepke Member Services Representative
Paytra Nichols Underwriter
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
HARRY WELLER | SDML PRESIDENT
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, but it turned out GREAT!
This will be my last article as your president of the SDML. Thank you all for making me feel welcome wherever I went.
The ten district meetings were a fun time. The SDML is a great organization, with a staff of talented and hardworking people that know their responsibility and do it with pride. From the small towns to the large cities and points in between, there are lots of talented and compassionate public servants.
I can't say enough about the staff of the SDML. They work for all of us, and do it in a very professional manner. Keep in mind they are only a phone call or email away. Please, take advantage of the opportunity! Sara has taken the reins as executive director and will do the SDML proud. She has a great staff to support her.
My term as your president started out great, hit a major road block, but with some great support and caring individuals, we made it work. We make the right choices for all of the SDML. I only hope you agree!
With that “thank you” again. Hope to see you in Sioux Falls. Let’s hope no snow like Aberdeen several years ago.
Respectfully yours, President Harry
A LOOK BACK
90 YEARS 1934-2024
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
• Temporary organization of the League of South Dakota Municipalities was completed at a meeting held in Huron on June 12, 1934.
• 29 other states in the United States had a municipal league at the time.
• Temporary officers were elected to hold office until September. (They were all subsequently re-elected at the Sept. convention to serve until the next convention in June 1935.)
Toss away your cares for two days! Come to the convention and profit from the experience of others who are facing the same problems you face every day!"
- Sept. 1934 Bulletin
• The first president was W. A. Rothschild, Mayor of Madison. The board also included a vice president, a secretary-treasurer, and three trustees.
• The League of South Dakota Municipalities Bulletin was first issued in June 1934, to be followed by a “mimeographed bulletin about once each month.”
Membership
• The still-intact 1934 financial ledger shows that the City of Madison was the first to submit their dues of $25 on June 22, 1934.
• By the time of the first conference in September, 56 cities had joined the League. Members were mostly larger municipalities, but then-League Secretary G.R. Breckenridge, Director of University Extension Division, Vermillion, was not discouraged, noting, “It is my belief that the smaller municipalities will gradually enter the League…for the smaller units of government can derive more benefit from the services of the League than can the larger municipalities.”
FIRST CONVENTION
• The First Annual Convention of the League of South Dakota Municipalities was held Sept. 20-21, 1934, in the Cataract Hotel Ball Room, Sioux Falls, SD.
• Topics included sessions such as “Public Relief Activities in South Dakota as They Affect Municipalities,” “Development of Home Rule in Municipal Government,” “An Efficient Method of Acquiring Property Valuation,” and “Desired Legislation.”
• 150 municipal officials attended, and thanks to a “widely varied program and enthusiastic discussion groups,” the first convention was “pronounced a great success by those attending the meeting.”
• By the end of the first year of existence, the League had 98 “paid-up” members.
• But not all went as expected. Apparently, Postmaster General James Farley “interrupted the evening program, but the dinner given by the Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce was a great success.” Sadly, there is no further elaboration on this interruption.
• It's unclear if there was a charge to attend the first convention, but by the second convention, held at the Lincoln Hotel in Watertown, SD, the fee was $1.25, which, the promotional notice pointed out, included one ticket for the dinner.
LEFT: Initial League membership dues, June 1934. MIDDLE: Cover of the first-ever Bulletin, which would later become the South Dakota Municipalities magazine. RIGHT: The 1934 ledger shows membership dues rolling in shortly after the League's formation.
COMMUNITIES FACE $51M BUDGET SHORTFALL WITH IM-28
The South Dakota Municipal League is reminding voters that if that if IM-28 passes, cities and towns are estimated to lose at least $51.5 million in sales tax revenue each year.
The language in IM-28 conflicts with South Dakota Codified Law 10-52-2, which allows cities and towns to impose a sales tax of up to 2 percent on the same items taxed by the state. This means that if the state cannot tax “anything sold for human consumption,” neither can a city or town.
The poor drafting of IM-28 is referenced in the Attorney General’s explanation of IM-28, which notes that “Judicial or legislative clarification of the measure will be necessary.”
The SDML released a fiscal analysis in August that outlined IM-28’s impact on each municipality in the state. It estimates that IM-28 would reduce municipal sales tax collections in larger communities like Sioux Falls and Rapid City by more than 8 percent. Smaller towns like Roslyn, Tulare, White River, and Wolsey would see losses above 40 percent. The highest estimated loss would occur in Bonesteel with a 59 percent
reduction. The full analysis with city information is available at nosdincometax.com/impact.
“These numbers show how devastating IM-28 would be to the daily lives of South Dakotans,” said Sara Rankin, Executive Director of the Municipal League. “An annual loss of $51.5 million would severely impact what communities could provide to their residents. It would reduce funding to fix potholes, update infrastructure, staff libraries, operate pools, and maintain parks.”
The estimated loss for each municipality was calculated by first aggregating all of the monthly sales tax reports for communities by SIC code from the Department of Revenue for 2023. Then a percentage was assigned to each SIC code to represent how much of the sales tax revenue generated by businesses under that code comes from consumables. Lastly, those percentages were applied to the 2023 tax data for each community in the state to develop the estimate.
IM-28 is on the ballot as an initiated measure in the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. ■
Connected to Your COMMUNITY
EXPERTISE SNAPSHOT
• Capital Improvement Plans
• Community Centers
• Feasibility Studies
• Grants + Funding Support
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Modeling + Analysis
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• Permitting
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• Sanitary Sewer + Wastewater Collection
Site Selection + Surveying
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SDPAA NEWS
LYNN BREN | SDPAA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Onboarding vs. Orientation Understanding the Difference and Its Importance
When it comes to welcoming new employees into a company, the terms “onboarding” and “orientation” often get used interchangeably. However, they represent distinct processes that play crucial roles in integrating new hires and ensuring their success. Understanding the difference between these two can make a signifi cant impact on how effectively a company integrates new talent.
ORIENTATION
Orientation is typically the first step in the new employee’s experience. It’s a formal program designed to introduce new hires to the organization, its culture, and its basic policies. This process usually takes place over the course of a day or a few days and often includes:
• Organizational Overview: Introduction to the organization’s history, mission, vision, and values. While it may not seem important to know the history of your entity, it helps to provide a basis for all of what comes next. Understanding why a city was established at that particular point on the map may help your new employee understand more closely what your mission is (this is more than just serving your citizens!), as well as clarifying the vision and values that your entity thrives on.
• Administrative Tasks: Ahh, paperwork! Making sure that your employee can get paid, has signed up for the right benefits, and has a good overview of current personnel policies is critical to ensuring the employee gets off on the right foot. Plus…most of the paperwork is required by law!
• Facility Tour: We should never assume that the new employee is familiar with our buildings. Even if they are someone who you know has visited often, this doesn’t always guarantee that they know where the restrooms are, where the supplies can be found, or where the emergency exits are. Make sure that your new employee is comfortable in their space. You don’t want someone wandering around looking like a physical security hazard!
• Basic Training: Basic training to ensure that your employee understands what equipment is to be used in their day-to-day activities and how to use that equipment and programs is a vital step in setting up your employee for success. This may involve an overview training
program which identifies equipment, and any applicable software, and then following up with more in-depth pictorial guides, or on the job training to ensure that the employee is comfortable accessing and navigating the tools they will be using. Never assume that anyone knows exactly what they are supposed to do or use. Also, never assume that they understand exactly WHY they use the tools they use.
Once you’ve established the basics, ensured they are able to sign into all of the applicable software and communication programs, you can move on to onboarding.
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ONBOARDING
Onboarding is more specific to the role the employee will play in your organization. Onboarding includes:
• Role-Specific Training: This includes training in specific tools and resources that will be used in the employee’s day-to-day activities. There may be a specific component of your software system that applies more specifically to this employee.
• Mentorship and Support: Mentorship and support is crucial to ensuring that the culture of your organization is grown and strengthened through the new employee. Providing your new employees with a veteran employee who has a strong sense of the culture and community you wish to foster in your organization will help to reinforce those values and beliefs in the new employee.
• Cultural Integration: Culture within your organization may be something that is still developing, or you may have a strong culture within your immediate team, or organization as a whole. Finding activities and initiatives that help new employees understand and adapt to the company culture and values will reinforce the culture, not only with the new employee, but also with the overall team.
• Feedback and Development: The old adage “no news is good news” doesn’t apply here. Check in with your employees and ask them for input. What went well during the orientation and onboarding? What do they need more training or help with? What do they think could be presented differently to make it easier to understand? Take feedback from not only new but seasoned employees and enhance the orientation and onboarding process. Ensuring that there is sufficient training will help to ensure that the resources you’re investing in this employee will not be a loss.
• Socialization: Realize that you spend over 60% of your average week with the people that you work with. Create opportunities for new hires to build relationships with colleagues through team-building activities and informal gatherings. Encourage new employees and veterans alike to engage and ask questions of each other to foster a culture of support and guidance.
Effective onboarding ensures that new employees not only understand their job but also feel connected to the company and its culture. It helps them become productive faster and fosters long-term engagement and retention. Reinforcing these philosophies will also encourage veteran employees
ONBOARDING VS. ORIENTATION (CONT)
to continue to support and foster the organizational culture as well.
WHY THE DISTINCTION MATTERS
Understanding the difference between orientation and onboarding is important for several reasons:
• Depth of Engagement: While orientation provides the basics, onboarding fosters a deeper connection and understanding. Organizations that focus solely on orientation may miss opportunities to fully integrate new hires and support their long-term success.
• Employee Retention: Effective onboarding can significantly impact employee satisfaction and retention. Employees who feel well-integrated and supported are more likely to stay with the organization and perform well.
• Productivity: A robust onboarding process helps new hires become productive more quickly. By providing comprehensive training and support, you will reduce the amount of time it takes to make the employee effective in their position. Alternatively, through these processes, you will also be able to identify employees who may not
be a positive addition to your team. If that ends up being the case, then we encourage you to use the employment practices hotline to determine the next best steps.
As we’ve discussed, orientation and onboarding are both critical components of the employee integration process, but they serve different purposes. Orientation is the essential starting point that provides new hires with the basic information they need, while onboarding is an ongoing journey that supports their development and integration into the company. By recognizing and investing in both processes, companies can enhance new employee experiences, boost productivity, and improve overall retention.
Have other employment related questions? SDPAA Members, please don’t forget, you have access to the employment practices hotline for assistance with those matters. Not a Member of the SDPAA yet? Reach out to us! www. sdpaaonline.org. ■
financial
Seeing success from a PERSPECTIVE
“Financial plans are more than just about money. They’re really about education and providing you with the knowledge you need to make the best decisions for your community.”
Miranda Kleven, PE, AE2S Special Projects Engineer
Water Engineering and Beyond
Award-Winning Best Place to Work
LOCAL BRIDGE PROJECTS RECEIVE FUNDING
PIERRE, SD - The South Dakota Transportation Commission awarded 35 preliminary engineering Bridge Improvement Grants (BIG) totaling approximately $1.8 million at the commission meeting held in Pierre Aug. 29. The goal of the grant process is to enhance the overall condition of critical assets that South Dakotans are dependent upon each and every day. These structures provide the link that drives the interconnectedness of the state’s overall transportation system, while enhancing statewide economic development overall.
“Today the South Dakota Transportation Commission reinforced their commitment to improving the efficiency, safety, and access of the transportation system throughout our state,” said Joel Jundt, Secretary of Transportation. “The BIG program continues to be vital for the necessary
preservation, rehabilitation, and replacement of local government structures, and the SDDOT commends the Transportation Commission for their continued commitment to provide state funding for this critical local government program.”
BIG recipients include: County recipients: Aurora (1), Bon Homme (1), Brookings (4), Buffalo (1), Butte (1), Codington (4), Douglas (1), Edmunds (2), Grant (2), Hanson (1), Hutchinson (1), Kingsbury (1), Lawrence (1), Meade (1), Minnehaha (2), Roberts (1), Sanborn (1), Sully (3), Tripp (2), and Union (4).
Forty applications, totaling $2.8 million in total project costs, were received by the South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT). In total, 21 counties submitted applications. In order to be eligible for a BIG grant, a county must impose a wheel tax. In
addition, a county must have a County Highway and Bridge Improvement Plan to detail proposed county highway and bridge improvement projects within the county over the next fi ve years. Each year, $7 million is dedicated from the license plate fees and from noncommercial vehicle fees. In addition, SDDOT annually sets aside $8 million per year of state highway funds, to make a total of $15 million available for BIG. To date, including the awards noted above, $165 million in BIG funds have been awarded.
Applications for the next round of the BIG program are due Jan. 2, 2025, for the Preservation (PR) and Rehabilitation/ Replacement (RE) categories. Contact: For more information regarding the BIG program, contact Doug Kinniburgh at 605-773-4284 or visit https:// dot.sd.gov/doing-business/localgovernments/bridge-improvementgrants. ■
ELECTION TRAINING
Municipal and School Election Official Training
The Secretary of State's office, Associated School Boards of South Dakota, and the South Dakota Municipal League are co-sponsoring a series of workshops covering all aspects of elections - from notices to the final canvass - including question-and-answer sessions.
Six webinar workshops are scheduled to assist election officers in conducting municipal or school elections. Identical sessions will be held in both the morning and afternoon of each day. New finance officers and business managers are encouraged to attend all six webinars
WEBINAR 1: THURS, DEC. 5, 2024
9:30-10:15 a.m. CST / 2:30- 3:15 p.m. CST
• Election Types and Date (don’t forget to set your election date)
• Combining elections vs. holding elections on the same day
• Election Calendar (appoint your election boards sooner rather than later)
• Precinct and Election Boards
• Public Notices
• We will walk through our website and the Legislative Research Council’s site if time allows
WEBINAR 2: THURS, DEC. 12, 2024
9:30-10:40 a.m. CST / 2:30-3:40 p.m. CST
• Candidate Eligibility Requirements
• Petitions - Forms, Deadlines, Signature Requirements (change for cities) and Counting Signatures (walk through the petition checklist). New petition challenge law.
• What if no one files?
• Financial Interest Statements (these must be filed every year for applicable cities and schools)
• Vacancies - What Creates a Vacancy and How to Fill It
• Campaign Finance (for applicable cities and schools)Who is Required to File, Restrictions, Disclaimers and Forms
No pre-registration required!
Unlike previous years, this year's election training webinars will not require pre-registration. A week prior to all webinars, an email containing the link to both morning and afternoon sessions and any supporting documentation will be sent to all Finance Officers. These links can be shared with any other finance team members. Mark your calendars now and keep an eye out for additional information on these webinars in the coming months.
WEBINAR 3: MON, MARCH 10, 2025
9:30-10:10 a.m. CST / 2:30-3:10 p.m. CST
• Ballot Preparation
• Who Can Vote - Voter Registration and Residency
WEBINAR 4: WED, MARCH 12, 2025
9:30-10:30 a.m. CST / 2:30-3:30 p.m. CST
• Absentee Voting - Application, Voting In-Person or by Mail, UOCAVA Voters (we will walk through our handout)
WEBINAR 5: WED, MARCH 19, 2025
9:30- 11 a.m. CST / 2:30-4 p.m. CST
• Election Worker Training - you may use this to train your election workers
• We will walk through the Precinct Manual as a guide on “What to do on Election Day.”
WEBINAR 6: WED, MARCH 26, 2025
9:30-10 a.m. CDT / 2:30-3 p.m. CDT
• What to ask your county auditor for (Voter registration list, schools make sure to ask for all the counties your district covers etc.)
• What should you, as the person in charge of the election, do on Election Day?
• Counting, Canvassing and Recounting - Provisional Ballots, Duties of Canvassers and Recount Process
2024 BALLOT QUESTIONS
2024 BALLOT QUESTION PAMPHLET COMPILED BY THE OFFICER OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
The title, explanation, and effect of a vote for each ballot question were provided by the Attorney General. No other statements on this pamphlet reflect the opinion of the Secretary of State or Attorney General.
The information was compiled by the office of the Secretary of State as required by law and provided by the authors. The information does not reflect the position of the Secretary of State’s office regarding the legality or effect of the amendments or measures. The Secretary of State is not responsible for the contents, objectivity, or accuracy of the statements written by the proponent and opponent authors in this brochure.
12-13-23. Distribution of public information. The secretary of state shall distribute public information on any amendment
to the Constitution, initiated measure, or referred law submitted to the electors for approval. The secretary of state shall compile the public information by printing a statement in support of the amendment to the Constitution, initiated measure, or referred law written by its proponents, if any can be identified, and a statement against the amendment to the Constitution, initiated measure, or referred law written by its opponents, if any can be identified. No statement written by a proponent, or an opponent may exceed three hundred words in length. The secretary of state is not responsible for the contents, objectivity, or accuracy of the statements written by the proponents and opponents. The pamphlet shall also include the attorney general's title, explanation, and a recitation of the effect of a "Yes" or "No" vote as written pursuant to § 12-13-9 or 12- 13-25.1; number of pages
and sections in the proposed or referred language; and, if applicable, a fiscal note.
Constitutional amendments and initiated and referred measures approved by majority vote will become effective on the first day of July after the completion of the official canvass by the State Canvassing Board. (SDCL 2-1-12)
The text of this pamphlet is available online at www.sdsos.gov. It’s also available in large print, braille, or on tape by calling the South Dakota State Library at 1-800-423-6665.
For more information on ballot questions, Attorney General explanations, and the full text of the ballot question, https://sdsos. gov/elections-voting/upcoming-elections/ general-information/2024/2024-ballotquestions.aspx ■
Constitutional Amendment E
Constitutional Amendment E
Title: An Amendment to the South Dakota Constitution Updating Gender References for Certain Officeholders and Persons.
Attorney General Explanation: The South Dakota Constitution became effective upon the State joining the United States in 1889. The generic male pronouns he, his, and him are used in the text of the State Constitution to reference certain officeholders or individuals.
This amendment changes the text of the State Constitution to remove the use of generic male pronouns when referencing certain officeholders or individuals. For example, when referencing the Governor, instead of saying "he shall be commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the state," the text will be changed to read “the Governor shall be commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the state." The amendment makes similar changes to other references to the Governor, as well as to references to other officeholders including Lieutenant Governor, Supreme Court Justices, and Circuit Court Judges. The amendment also makes similar changes to references in the Constitution to general classes of people such as persons, electors, and public officers.
Vote “Yes” to adopt the amendment.
Vote “No” to leave the Constitution as it is.
The text of this constitutional amendment is 11 pages long with 25 sections.
Pro – Constitutional Amendment E
Amendment E will rightfully update the language within our State Constitution to reflect our elected and appointed officials pertaining to the office in which they hold.
South Dakota has a long history of strong female representation in all three branches of government, and the Constitution should accurately reflect these esteemed members of our government.
As a mother of a little girl in South Dakota, I want all young women to realize that they can grow up to do anything they set their mind to, and they too have potential to lead our State in their profession and/or politics.
I urge the South Dakota voters to vote “yes” for this amendment. Such a vote would be a show of respect for our state’s past, present, and future female leaders!
Erin Tobin, State Senator, District 21
STATE SURPLUS EQUIPMENT
Municipal road departments can purchase surplus heavy equipment at a discount through the State of South Dakota’s Property Management Division.
• City, county, township, and tribal governments get first opportunity to purchase equipment before offering it to the public.
• Equipment is SDDOT surplus and includes items such as mowers, plows, trailers, and more.
• Sign up for surplus alerts at https:// boa.sd.gov/central-services/ property-management.
• More info: (605) 773-4935 or surplus. property@state.sd.us.
Con – Constitutional Amendment E
Amendment E is an unnecessary change to language in our South Dakota Constitution.
The reference to “he” in our Constitution is simply a singular pronoun. The historic use of gereric male pronouns in our constitution is proper style and form and clearly does not exclude or hinder women from holding public office.
While this seems like a minor change now, opening up the constitution in order to correct pronouns will not accomplish anything substantive, but will cost taxpayer dollars to reprint materials that are already effective in their current form.
GENERAL ELECTION
TUESDAY, NOV. 5, 2024
CONFIRM YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION AND POLLING PLACE
Visit the Voter Information Portal on SDSOS.gov. Your polling place is also listed on your voter acknowledgement notice that you received from the county election official after registering.
WHEN ARE POLLING PLACES OPEN?
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time.
BRING IDENTIFICATION
All voters who appear at a polling place must show proof of identification (SDCL12-18-6.1). See approved forms at SDSOS.gov. ■
Liz May, State Representative, District 27
2024 ELECTION BALLOT QUESTIONS
Constitutional Amendment F
Constitutional Amendment F
Title: An Amendment to the South Dakota Constitution Authorizing the State to Impose a Work Requirement on Individuals Eligible for Expanded Medicaid Benefits.
Attorney General Explanation: The Medicaid program is funded by the State and the federal government to provide medical coverage for certain low-income people who qualify for the program. ln 2022, the voters approved a Constitutional provision that expanded Medicaid eligibility for any person over age 18 and under 65 whose income is at or below 133% of the federal poverty level, plus 5% of the federal poverty level for the applicable family size.
This constitutional amendment authorizes the State to impose work requirements on any person eligible to receive benefits under the expanded Medicaid program, except for those persons who are physically or mentally disabled. The amendment does not identify any specific work requirement that may be imposed on those receiving expanded Medicaid benefits. Any work requirement proposed by the State must be approved by the federal government prior to implementation.
Vote “Yes” to adopt the amendment.
Vote “No” to leave the Constitution as it is.
The text of this constitutional amendment is two pages long with two sections.
Pro – Constitutional Amendment F
Amendment F is based on the idea that social welfare programs are a hand-up for people facing tough times but should not be a way of life. Vote YES if you agree.
South Dakota has enacted Medicaid expansion, which extends Medicaid health coverage to adults below a certain income who are 18 to 65 years old and not disabled.
Amendment F would allow South Dakota to consider a work requirement for working-age, able-bodied adults who want to enroll in Medicaid expansion. Currently, we can’t encourage these folks to seek work or training to get back on their feet, rather than stay on government programs for the long-term.
By voting YES, we can fix the current language, which prohibits South Dakota from even considering a work requirement.
Our welfare programs should care for those who can’t care for themselves – the elderly, the young, and the disabled. Amendment F allows the state to require able-bodied, working-aged people who enroll in Medicaid to work or go to school, to support themselves and their families.
Our state already does this in other social programs, and we know how to do it.
If Amendment F passes, a work requirement will still require approval from the federal government and from the state legislature. This will allow for reasonable exceptions to the work requirement, like for parents of young children, students, those with serious health issues, or those looking for work.
Voting YES for Amendment F simply creates this option for South Dakota. It doesn’t make sense that our state constitution prohibits our state from ever considering a work requirement.
South Dakotans are hard-working people, and we believe in the value of work. Medicaid expansion, like all social programs, should be a pathway to a better future for those who receive it.
Vote YES on Amendment F.
Tony Venhuizen, State Representative, District 13
Con – Constitutional Amendment F
Voters approved Medicaid expansion to provide health coverage to thousands of South Dakotans and Amendment F will take away that health coverage for some of those residents.
What Medicaid expansion means for people in the gap – those with low incomes who can't get insurance through their jobs, and who can't afford insurance on their own because the costs are sky-high is that they are no longer forced to choose between medical care or rent, food, childcare, and other necessities. It also means that if they are too sick to work, they do not automatically lose access to care.
I learned how easily life gets turned upside down by a lack of coverage when I was diagnosed with cancer while building a small business. I didn’t have insurance and it was a life-changing, scary experience nobody should have to endure.
If Amendment F is approved, South Dakotans who are employed and doing all they can to support themselves, and their families, will lose healthcare coverage. We know from other states that have taken similar approaches that some will simply get lost in a blizzard of paperwork, putting government bureaucrats between patients and their doctor. Others will have to stop working because they get sick, risking losing coverage when they need it most.
Working full time while receiving cancer treatment drained me. I maxed out my sick time, struggled to get through the workday and was too fatigued at the end of the day to care for my daughter. Fighting cancer is hard work. The thought of having to report my condition to government bureaucrats every month just to keep my health insurance and continue my treatment is terrifying. Medicaid needs to stay in place as it was approved by the voters.
Support working South Dakotans and Vote No on Amendment F.
Sarah Graves, Nursing Student and Volunteer with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
Constitutional Amendment G
Constitutional Amendment G
Title: An Initiated Amendment Establishing a Right to Abortion in the State Constitution.
Attorney General Explanation: This initiated amendment establishes a constitutional right to an abortion and provides a legal framework for the regulation of abortion. This framework would override existing laws and regulations concerning abortion.
The amendment establishes that during the first trimester a pregnant woman's decision to obtain an abortion may not be regulated nor may regulations be imposed on the carrying out of an abortion.
In the second trimester, the amendment allows the regulation of a pregnant woman's abortion decision, and the regulation of carrying out an abortion. Any regulation of a pregnant woman's abortion decision, or of an abortion, during the second trimester must be reasonably related to the physical health of the pregnant woman.
In the third trimester, the amendment allows the regulation or prohibition of abortion except in those cases where the abortion is necessary to preserve the life or health of the pregnant woman. Whether an abortion is necessary during the third trimester must be determined by the pregnant woman's physician according to the physician's medical judgment.
Judicial clarification of the amendment may be necessary. The Legislature cannot alter the provisions of a constitutional amendment.
Vote “Yes” to adopt the amendment.
Vote “No” to leave the Constitution as it is.
The text of this constitutional amendment is two pages long containing one section.
Pro – Constitutional Amendment G
Politicians in Pierre have decreed that South Dakota women and girls who are raped must carry to term, thrown miscarriage care into utter confusion, and limited available treatment of extreme pregnancy complications. They need to butt out.
Let women and families live their lives. Let doctors and nurses practice their professions. Let freedom ring. That is what Amendment G will do.
Americans fought for freedom nearly 250 years ago and have been defending it ever since. No one values freedom more than South Dakotans. But two years ago, freedoms of women across America were lost when the right to abortion health care that had existed for 50 years was suddenly taken away by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Amendment G, the “Freedom Amendment,” would restore those rights here. Amendment G simply writes into our state Constitution the limited reproductive freedoms for women that until 2022 were recognized in the U.S. Constitution. Wording of Amendment G intentionally mirrors the wording of Roe v. Wade, the decision that had guaranteed women those freedoms.
Tune out the radical “right to life” political noise and just read Amendment G itself and the Attorney General’s explanation of it. Both are very short!
Like most Constitutional provisions, Amendment G will occasionally require judicial clarification, every one of which will be made by South Dakota judges. The dire predictions of unthinkable outcomes that opponents claim will occur under Amendment G are deceitful scare tactics that insult South Dakota’s judiciary and defy voters’ common sense. None of their awful scenarios played out in 50 years under Roe v. Wade as interpreted by Federal Courts. To say the same language in Amendment G would be interpreted by South Dakota courts in some radical “proabortion” way is absurd. Support Amendment G.
Nancy Turbak Berry, Chair for South Dakotas for the Freedom Amendment
Con – Constitutional Amendment G
With Constitutional Abortion Amendment G, the devil is in the details. The wording of Amendment G is unclear and vague. So, to clear up the confusion, here’s the truth about what Amendment G would do:
Abortion Amendment G would impose California and New York style abortion laws into our State Constitution. This is not a “moderate” or “middle-of-the-road” proposal.
A yes vote for Amendment G approves late-term abortion even after a baby is viable and can survive outside her mother’s womb. Most people oppose late term abortion up to birth. Amendment G goes too far.
A yes vote for Amendment G takes away parents’ rights to know when their teenage daughter is undergoing an abortion procedure. This means parents wouldn’t even be informed if their teenage daughter was being coerced into having an abortion. Don’t parents deserve the right to know when their daughter is undergoing a risky medical procedure? Amendment G takes parents' rights away. Because Amendment G was written to benefit the for-profit abortion industry, Amendment G dangerously deregulates the abortion industry. Currently, an abortion can only be done by a licensed doctor in a safe and clean setting. But a yes vote for Amendment G prohibits South Dakota legal protections for the physical and mental health of mothers for most abortions. Abortions can have dangerous and deadly side effects. That’s why numerous South Dakota medical professionals agree: by subjecting women to unsafe, unregulated abortions, Amendment G is dangerous for South Dakota women.
Voting NO on Amendment G prohibits late-term (up to 9 month) abortions.
Voting NO on Amendment G allows loving parents to assist their daughter in a time of need.
Voting NO on Amendment G protects mothers from unsafe, unregulated abortions. Protect babies and mothers.
Vote NO on Amendment G.
Leslie Unruh, Co-Chair of Life Defense Fund Jon Hansen, Co-Chair of Life Defense Fund
2024 ELECTION BALLOT QUESTIONS
Constitutional Amendment H
Constitutional Amendment H
Title: An Amendment to the South Dakota Constitution Establishing Top-Two Primary Elections.
Attorney General Explanation: Currently, to appear on the general election ballot, major party candidates for the following offices must participate in a partisan primary election: Governor, State Legislature, U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and elected county offices. Only members of the candidate’s party may vote for that candidate unless that party has opened the primary to voters not affiliated with the party.
Minor party candidates may be chosen by primary or party convention.
Unaffiliated candidates (independents) are only required to file nominating petitions to appear on the general election ballot.
For the listed offices, this amendment requires one primary election wherein all candidates run against each other in their respective races, including major and minor party and unaffiliated candidates. A candidate may list any party next to their name on the ballot regardless of party affiliation or registration. All voters may vote for any candidate. The two candidates receiving the most votes advance to the general election. If there is more than one candidate to be elected to an office, the number of candidates advancing to the general election is twice the number to be elected.
Primary elections may be held for other offices.
The amendment may be challenged on constitutional grounds.
Fiscal Note: Open primaries would require printing additional ballots at a cost of $0.47 per ballot. The additional cost statewide to counties would currently be approximately $23,667 for each primary election. The share of the total cost for each county will vary. There is no expected cost to state government.
Vote “Yes” to adopt the amendment.
Vote “No” to leave the Constitution as it is.
The text of this constitutional amendment is two pages long containing one section.
Pro – Constitutional Amendment H
Vote YES on Amendment H to make sure every South Dakota voter has a voice in who leads our state, taking power from party bosses and returning it to the voters.
Amendment H creates one “South Dakota Primary.” All candidates would be on a single primary ballot, all voters would receive that ballot and the top two vote-getters would advance to the general election. Most importantly, all voters would get to vote!
Currently, 150,000 independent or unaffiliated voters in South Dakota are excluded from taxpayer-funded primary elections. Amendment H ensures that everyone has a meaningful voice in who leads our state by letting all voters vote in the primary elections.
Our closed primary system isn’t working anymore. Only 17% of South Dakota's voters participated in last June’s primary election, so it’s no surprise that politicians aren’t listening to voters: they are only accountable to powerful interests who dominate the primaries. Amendment H would boost turnout and competitive elections, so politicians are more likely to act on items which have broad public support.
Bottom line: Amendment H would shift power from party bosses back to the voters. It would fix an unfair system that silences the voices of 150,000 South Dakota independent voters. It would increase voter participation in elections and make our system fairer. And it would rationalize our politics and ensure elected officials focus on what’s best for all South Dakotans.
Vote YES on Amendment H to let all voter’s vote!
Joe Kirby, Republican and Chairman of South Dakota Open Primaries, De Knudson, Republican and Former Sioux Falls City Councilor Drey Samuelson, Former Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Tim Johnson
Con – Constitutional Amendment H
Political parties are foundational elements of self-government. Parties play a crucial role in every functional self-government around the world. They have played a critical role in the history of our country and our state. Parties of all kinds and in all places examine government and society, make choices on governmental policy, and give confidence to voters that office holders will act along those precepts. For example, the abolition of slavery was the founding principle of the Republican Party. Candidates and office holders were able to align alongside that ideal, and give voters confidence that Republican candidates were indeed anti-slavery. Parties choosing platforms, followed by primaries where candidates for the ballot are chosen by members who support those ideals is a founding principle of modern political debate and of self-government. Open primaries might well destroy the effectiveness of our system of government by allowing outsiders to participate in selecting candidates to run for office. This idea may well substantially weaken the ability of voters to choose office holders who truly represent their values and ideals. Both major parties in our state oppose Amendment H. You should too.
John Wiik, SDGOP
Initiated Measure 28
Initiated Measure 28
Title: An Initiated Measure Prohibiting Taxes on Anything Sold for Human Consumption.
Attorney General Explanation: Currently, the State collects tax on the sale or use of certain goods, including foods and drinks. Many municipalities also collect these taxes.
This initiated measure prohibits the State from collecting sales or use tax on anything sold for human consumption. The measure eliminates these sources of revenue for the State.
Human consumption is not defined by state law. However, its common definition includes more than foods and drinks.
The measure does not prohibit the collection of sales or use tax on alcoholic beverages or prepared food. Prepared food is defined by law to include food that is sold heated or with utensils.
The measure may affect the State’s obligations under the tobacco master settlement agreement and the streamlined sales tax agreement. The master settlement agreement resulted from multi-state lawsuits against cigarette manufacturers for the public health effects of smoking. South Dakota’s annual share of the master settlement agreement is approximately $20 million. The streamlined sales tax agreement is a multistate program designed to simplify the collection of sales and use tax for companies selling in multiple jurisdictions.
Judicial or legislative clarification of the measure will be necessary.
Fiscal Note: Beginning July 1, 2025, the State could see a reduction in sales tax revenues of $123.9 million annually from no longer taxing the sale of anything sold for human consumption, except alcoholic beverages and prepared food. Municipalities could continue to tax anything sold for human consumption.
Vote “Yes” to adopt the initiated measure.
Vote “No” to leave South Dakota law as it is.
The text of this initiated measure is two pages long containing one section.
Pro – Initiated Measure 28
According to Feeding South Dakota, the state's largest hunger relief organization, 106,000 South Dakotans, including 1 in 6 children, are food insecure, meaning they don’t know where their next meal is coming from.
South Dakota and Mississippi are the only states that still tax groceries at the full allowable state rate. Because families with very modest incomes must spend up to 30% of their total household income on food, whereas more affluent families need spend only 7% of theirs, this means that ordinary families are spending 400% more of their total income on food than are the wealthy. That is not fair. It is time for South Dakota to let Mississippi be the only state so unfair as this.
For 20 years the state legislature has considered removing this unfair tax, but it has failed to act. Even Governor Kristi Noem, who made repealing the sales tax on groceries a key promise in her 2022 re-election campaign, could not get this done. Clearly we the voters need to do what politicians more beholden to their donors than to us have failed to do.
And remember, this amendment specifically preserves local governments’ taxing authority, so do not be misled by false claims that it will hamper local officials or result in onerous new taxes with zero chance of being enacted. These assertions are politician talk designed to mislead and scare voters into retaining a tax the politicians’ rich donors love, but which treats the rest of us unfairly.
Recent polling by South Dakota News Watch shows that 66% of South Dakotans support repealing the state’s grocery tax. When the legislature fails to act, it is time for the people to decide. Let’s make our voices heard and end this unfair tax.
Rick Weiland, Co-Founder Dakotans for Health
Con – Initiated Measure 28
IM-28 would lead to irresponsible funding cuts to essential government functions or new tax increases. It would eliminate sales taxes on MANY items other than food, cutting at least $176 million.
IM-28 would prohibit taxes on anything sold for human consumption, except alcohol and prepared food. This bad wording would eliminate taxes on tobacco (annual loss of $65 million), vaping products, CBD, toothpaste, aspirin, toilet paper, and many other products.
If IM-28 passes, it would have the absurd result where sales taxes would remain on a rotisserie chicken, but not a pack of cigarettes.
IM-28 would prevent cities and towns from collecting sales taxes on consumable items, leaving a huge hole in local budgets.
State law says cities and towns can charge a sales tax only if it “conforms in all respects to the state tax on such items with the exception of the rate.”
This means that cities and towns can only tax the same items as the state – and if the state cannot tax “anything for human consumption,” neither than a city or town. IM-28 will eliminate funding for our communities and require cuts for law enforcement, roads, pools, and parks.
IM-28 will also reduce funding for Tribal governments via sales tax compacts with the state.
The bad wording in IM-28 is setting us up for a state income tax, or it was drafted wrong. Either way, it’s bad for South Dakota. IM-28 will cut at least $176 million each year and lead to significant cuts to education, healthcare, and state employees; or it sets us up for an income tax to fund needed services.
Vote no on IM-28.
Nathan Sanderson, Executive Director SD Retailers Association, President Coalition for Responsible Taxation, Treasurer South Dakota Against a State Income Tax
Initiated Measure 29
Initiated Measure 29
Title: An Initiated Measure Legalizing the Recreational Use, Possession, and Distribution of Marijuana.
Attorney General Explanation: This initiated measure allows individuals 21 years of age or older to possess, grow, ingest, and distribute marijuana or marijuana paraphernalia. Individuals may possess up to two ounces of marijuana in a form other than marijuana concentrate or other marijuana products. Individuals may possess up to six marijuana plants with no more than twelve plants per household. The measure also places limits on the possession of other forms of marijuana and marijuana products.
Under the measure, the possession, ingestion, and distribution of marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia remains illegal for individuals under the age of 21. Driving under the influence of marijuana remains illegal.
The measure restricts where individuals may possess or consume marijuana, such as schools or where tobacco is prohibited.
The measure allows employers to restrict an employee's use of marijuana. Property owners may also regulate the use of marijuana on their property
The measure does not affect State laws dealing with hemp. It also does not change laws concerning the State's medical marijuana program.
The measure legalizes marijuana-derived substances considered felony controlled substances under State law. Marijuana remains illegal under federal law.
Judicial or legislative clarification of this measure may be necessary.
Fiscal Note: The state and municipalities would collect minimal additional sales tax revenue, as the measure would not decriminalize the sale of cannabis but would decriminalize the sale of cannabis accessories. Counties could see incarceration expenses reduced by $581,556 every year.
Vote “Yes” to adopt the initiated measure.
Vote “No” to leave South Dakota law as it is.
The text of this initiated measure is two pages long containing four sections.
Pro – Initiated Measure 29
IM 29 is a simple, common-sense policy that would legalize cannabis for adults 21 and over in South Dakota. By voting yes, you can protect personal freedom, improve public health and safety, and restore the will of the people
• WILL improve public health and safety. Instead of wasting time and resources on arresting people for cannabis possession, law enforcement can focus on fighting real crime in our communities. At the same time, we can replace the illicit market with licensed businesses selling products that are tested for safety.
WILL strengthen the economy and generate new tax revenue: Cannabis businesses will create new jobs for South Dakotans, including farmers, while also providing new opportunities for a range of existing small businesses. Legalization will also reduce spending on incarceration and generate millions of dollars in new tax revenue for the state every year.
• WILL protect medical cannabis patients from arrest: For many seriously ill people, including those suffering from cancer, epilepsy, and MS, cannabis is the only medicine that can relieve their pain without debilitating side effects. Even though our state has established a medical cannabis program, access is still too difficult and too expensive for many South Dakotans.
• WILL withstand legal challenge: The measure is simpler and shorter than previous cannabis initiatives and designed to withstand any legal challenge.
• WILL NOT increase teen drug use: Measure 29 only legalizes cannabis for adults 21 or older. Studies analyzing tens of thousands of high school students in Colorado and Washington show that teen cannabis use has not increased since those states legalized cannabis for adults in 2012.
• WILL NOT increase crime rates: Analysis from states that have legalized cannabis has found that the policy does not increase crime rates.
Matthew Schweich, Executive Director for South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws and Quincy Hanzen, Deputy Director for South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws
Con – Initiated Measure 29
IM 29 opens the door for increased crime, suicide rates, traffic fatalities, workplace injuries, reduction in workforce, mental health problems and youth use. This measure would harm South Dakota children, families, communities. IM29 will:
*Harm children: If a drug is legal, children think it is safe and will try it. Marijuana is not safe! A research report on child abuse stated, “Marijuana is the substance most identified as actively used by the perpetrator in child abuse and neglect related fatalities.”
*Increased addiction rates: Research shows that marijuana is a highly addictive gateway drug that increases abuse of opioids, fentanyl, alcohol, meth and other illicit drugs.
*Increased costs to communities: With dramatic increases in emergency room visits, crime, mental health effects and traffic accidents, insurance rates and taxes increase. For every $1 in revenue, Colorado spends $4.50 in countering the damaging impact of legalization.
*Increase in crime rates: Statistics show that 50% of men and 30% of women arrested for a crime test positive for marijuana. Read our news! More violent crime in South Dakota.
*Fuels cartel presence and the black market: Colorado, Oregon, California, Oklahoma, Kentucky, and Washington are all experiencing this reality. The remoteness of parts of our states and fast growth in our cities will make it harder for law enforcement to protect you, your children and your property from the detrimental effects legalization will bring to your community.
*Increases mental health and physical health problems: Over 20,000 peer-reviewed articles link marijuana to mental health issues. AMA has linked it to heart and stroke in adults.
South Dakota already has laws that allow people to use marijuana products for health reasons. We cannot sacrifice the health and safety of our children and our communities for this addiction-for-profit industry, leaving South Dakotans to pay the price.
VOTE NO ON IM29!
Jim Kinyon, President, Protecting South Dakota Kids
Rhonda Milstead, Executive Director, Protecting South Dakota Kids
Travis Ismay, Concerned Citizens of South Dakota
Dr. Forrest Brady, MD and Dr. April A. Anderson, LPC, EdD
Referred Law 21
Referred Law 21
Title: A Referred Act to Provide New Statutory Requirements for Regulating Linear Transmission Facilities, to Allow Counties to Impose a Surcharge on Certain Pipeline Companies, and to Establish a Landowner Bill of Rights
Attorney General Explanation: The Act authorizes counties to impose, for any tax year in which the pipeline operator receives a tax credit, a $1.00 per foot surcharge on carbon dioxide pipelines. Revenue from the surcharge must be distributed as tax relief to each property owner in the county where the pipeline is installed. Any remaining revenue can be allocated at each county's discretion. No other fee may be imposed except property taxes, or fees associated with road agreements.
The Act also imposes certain requirements on carbon dioxide pipelines: pipelines must be installed to a minimum depth; each pipeline operator is responsible for damages to drain tile, and to the surface owner, caused by the pipeline; each operator is also responsible for leaks or failures of the pipeline; and any land agent acting on behalf of the pipeline must be a pipeline employee, State resident, or State licensed real estate agent. The Act also includes requirements that carbon pipeline easements be in writing, and only enforceable for a specified period of time; pipeline operators must initiate business operations within five years of the easement; and each easement is void after five years of nonuse.
Vote "Yes" to allow the Act of the Legislature to become law.
Vote "No" to reject the Act of the Legislature.
The text of this referred law is two pages long containing one section.
Pro – Referred Law 21
VOTE YES TO KEEP THE LANDOWNER BILL OF RIGHTS.
We need Referred Law 21 to protect landowners, hold pipelines, accountable, deliver property tax relief, support our agriculture economy, and keep taxes low for all South Dakotans. If this ethanol value-enhancing pipeline is going to get built in South Dakota, it needs to be on fair terms to our farmers and ranchers. We need Referred Law 21.
It includes the following benefits for landowners and all South Dakotans:
1. Tax Relief for Taxpayers/Revenue for Counties: In addition to millions in annual property taxes, 21 forces the pipeline to pay an additional dollar per year per linear foot of pipeline – half of which goes to the county and half to the landowner.
2. Leak Liability: Ensures pipelines pay for any damage caused by leaks.
3. Indemnity for Landowners: Requires carbon pipeline to indemnify landowners for liability.
4. Minimum Burial Depth: Requires carbon pipeline to be buried at least 4 ft deep, exceeding federal regulations of 3 ft.
5. Disclosure of Dispersion Models: Requires carbon pipelines to release the plume studies, so people know what happens if there is a leak.
6. Lifetime Drain Tile Repairs: Requires carbon pipelines to repair any damage to drain tile.
7. Agricultural Impact Mitigation: Requires carbon pipelines to file an ag impact mitigation plan.
8. Information Disclosure: Requires carbon pipelines to disclose landowner rights and protections in their documents. These are common sense laws that make our agricultural heritage more secure. Our state’s ethanol industry needs carbon pipelines to access new markets and enable the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel that will add more value to the corn we grow.
Please vote Yes.
Walt Bones, farmer and impacted landowner Parker, South Dakota
Con – Referred Law 21
Referred Law 21 is a special law that advantages private, for-profit, carbon dioxide pipeline companies and their foreign investors at the expense of South Dakotans.
Heavily lobbied by pipeline companies and related industries, Referred Law 21 was amended multiple times in the bargaining process and given the misleading name “Landowner Bill of Rights”. Misleading, because no additional rights beyond those enumerated in the Constitution are endowed by this law. The ‘rights’ described are mainly provisions already guaranteed in codified law and other 2024 legislation.
Referred Law 21exempts “pipelines for the transmission of carbon dioxide” from property taxation and shields them from future tax increases and additional fees. (Sections 1 and 7) Pipeline companies and other “transmission facilities” need only obtain a construction permit from the three Public Utilities Commissioners in Pierre to be exempted from all local zoning rules and regulations that other companies doing business in those jurisdictions must follow, including setbacks and other safety protections. (Section 6)
The meager one-dollar-per-foot surcharge pipeline companies pay to the counties is a bargain for the ability to bypass local governance.
The fifty-cent portion that is shared among affected landowners is a small comfort if land was taken without consent. Section 2 is unclear, so this could be a one-time payment.
Referred Law 21 was passed to uniquely benefit the carbon pipeline industry. It encompasses three separate subjects in the title and includes subjects not stated in the title. Article III of the South Dakota Constitution forbids special laws and multiple subjects, so a constitutional challenge is likely.
“Economic Development” should never be blindly pursued at the expense of individual property rights and equal treatment under the law.
The Legislature got it wrong. South Dakota may be open for business, but we are not for sale.
VOTE NO on Referred Law 21
Jim Eschenbaum, SD PRLCA Chairman
2024 ELECTION BALLOT QUESTIONS
2024 Ballot Question Contact Information
PRO CON
Constitutional Amendment E - An amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, updating references to certain officeholders and persons.
Erin Tobin
921 E. 5th St., Winner, SD 57580 Erin@erintobinforsd.com
Liz May 20261 BIA 2, Kyle, SD 57552 Liz.May@sdlegislature.gov
Constitutional Amendment F - An amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, authorizing the state to impose work requirements on certain individuals who are eligible for expanded Medicaid.
Representative Tony Venhuizen
District 13, Sioux Falls, SD tonyvenhuizen@gmail.com
Constitutional Amendment G - An initiated amendment establishing a right to abortion in the State Constitution.
Rick Weiland
PO Box 2063, Sioux Falls, SD 57105
Phone: 605.610.8146 info@dakotans4health.com
Sarah Graves Nursing Student and Vo lunteer for American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Pierre, SD Leslie Unruh and Jon Hansen Co-Chairs of Life Defense Fund info@lifedefensefund.com
Constitutional Amendment H - An amendment to the South Dakota Constitution establishing Top Two Primary Elections.
Joe Kirby
350 S Main Ave #701, Sioux Falls, SD 57104 info@sdopenprimaries.org
John Wiik chairman@sdgop.com
Initiated Measure 28 - An initiated measure prohibiting taxes on anything sold for human consumption.
Rick Weiland
PO Box 2063, Sioux Falls, SD 57105
Phone: 605.610.8146 info@dakotans4health.com
Nathan Sanderson
320 E Capitol Ave., Pierre, SD 57501 nosdincometax.com
Initiated Measure 29 - An initiated measure legalizing the recreational use, possession, and distribution of marijuana.
Matthew Schweich
27058 S Southeastern Avenue
Phone: 605.610.8396 matt@southdakotamarijuana.org
Jim Kinyon, President
Protecting South Dakota Kids, Inc.
2520 6th Street, Rapid City, SD 57701 Phone: 605.431.3164 jim.kinyon7@gmail.com
Referred Law 21 - Provide new statutory requirements for regulating linear transmission facilities to allow counties to impose a surcharge on certain pipeline companies and to establish a landowner Bill of Rights.
Walt Bones
Farmer and impacted landowner 46036 268th St., Chancellor, SD 57015
Jim Eschenbaum
SD PRLCA Chairman eschfarm@yahoo.com
2024 Statewide General Election Candidates
OCTOBER
Black Hills Farmers Market, Rapid City
Black Hills Farmers Market, Rapid City
Falls Park Farmer's Market, Sioux Falls
Market at the Meridian, Yankton
Mazing Acres Fall Festival, Yankton
Mazing Acres Fall Festival, Yankton
Oct. 4-5
4
Oktoberfest, Deadwood
Oct. 4-5
Pumpkin Fest, Webster
Oct. 4-19
Paranormal Investigations of the Adams House, Deadwood
Fall Festival, Canton
Hobo Marlin Pumpkin Train, Prairie Village, Madison
Bierbörse, Rapid City
Oct. 5-6
Run Crazy Horse Marathon and Races, Custer
Oct. 5-6
Horse Races, Fort Pierre
Brew Walk, Aberdeen
Oct. 10-13
Great Scarecrow Festival, Huron
Oct. 11-13
Black Hills Powwow, Rapid City
Oct. 11-12
Junkin' Market Days, Sioux Falls
Native Americans' Day, Crazy Horse Memorial
Native American Day Parade, Sioux Falls 14 25
Oct. 17-19
Wild West Songwriters Festival, Deadwood
Oct. 18-20
ZooBoo, Sioux Falls
Pheasant Hunting Season Opens, Statewide
Oct. 25-26
Deadweird, Deadwood
Harvest Halloween, Yankton
Mortimer's Monstruous Halloween, Oakwood Lakes State Park, Bruce
Trick or Treat Trails, Big Sioux Recreation Area, Brandon
Huron Ringneck Festival & Bird Dog Challenge, Huron 31 27
Halloween Hike, LaFramboise Island Nature Area, Pierre
Oct. 31–Nov. 2
HOMETOWN POWER
ROB PETERSON | SDML DIRECTOR OF MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC SERVICES
Celebrating Public Power Week
As the calendar turns to October, communities across the country will be celebrating National Public Power Week. Running from October 6-12, National Public Power Week is an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the municipal utilities - in particular the people who keep them up and running - that provide the reliable, affordable energy necessary to keep the lights on in their communities.
In South Dakota, public power is a tradition that dates back over 100 years. Currently, 35 communities are served by municipal electric utilities.
Municipal utilities not only serve the community – they are the community. Public power utilities are community-owned, meaning the people of the community are included in making key decisions about our energy future.
There are many reasons why 35 communities across South Dakota continue to own and operate their electric utility.
For starters, we are committed to building for the future to ensure reliable, affordable, and customer-focused service
to our community for many years to come. That means we’re working hand-in-hand with customers and community leaders to make sure our utility reflects the long-term goals and needs of our member communities. Knowing our communities and their needs helps us keep homes, schools, businesses, and public places powered year-round. Other benefits of community ownership are:
• Local control and regulation
• Local employment
• Operating in the public interest
• Integrated utility systems
And more.
As not-for-profit public power utilities, our loyalty is to our customers – not stockholders. We work hard to ensure that our electric rates continue to be stable and affordable. We take pride in being locally owned and contributing to the growth of our communities.
Thank you for your support of public power – an American tradition that works. ■
SD RECEIVES PRESIDEN TIAL DISASTER DECLARATION AFTER HISTORIC FLOODING
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CAN APPLY FOR HA ZARD MITIGATION GRANTS
South Dakota has received a presidential disaster declaration due to the historic 1,000-year flooding event that occurred between June 16 and July 8, 2024.
Twenty-five counties have received disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and four of those counties have qualified for individual assistance for residents and business owners.
“South Dakota has worked tremendously hard to get to this point and will continue working to rebuild our communities. I am so proud of our people,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “This event was unprecedented, but our response was exactly what South Dakota always does. We work together to get our neighbors back on their feet.”
Residents and business owners in the following four counties qualified for individual assistance: Davison, Lincoln, Turner, and Union. Residents must contact FEMA to register. Impacted individuals located within one of these counties can go online to disasterassistance.gov, call 800-621-3362 or use the FEMA mobile app to apply.
In addition, federal funding is available to state, tribal, eligible local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the flooding in the following 25 counties: Aurora, Bennett, Bon Homme, Brule, Buffalo, Charles Mix, Clay, Davison, Douglas, Gregory, Hand, Hanson, Hutchinson, Jackson, Lake, Lincoln, McCook, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Sanborn, Tripp, Turner, Union, and Yankton.
For those local communities, the cost share will be 75% federal, 15% state, and 10% local. These local entities will work with state and FEMA officials to obtain this assistance.
Subrecipients will be eligible for 5% of the project award amount for management costs.
Funding will first be prioritized in the declared areas. A project may be outside of this area as long as the risk reduction benefits the declared county or counties (e.g., watershed mitigation). If funding cannot be used in the affected area, then it may be available statewide regardless of whether it benefits a declared county.
Applications are due to the State Office of Emergency Management (OEM) via FEMA GO by May 30, 2025. It is highly encouraged and welcomed to submit applications prior to this deadline. Grants will likely be awarded in Aug. 2026.
If you are interested in discussing the eligibility of mitigation projects or beginning the application process, please contact the State Hazard Mitigation Officer, Jim Poppen, at 605-7733231 or jim.poppen@state.sd.us. ■
Building Communites and Improving Lives through:
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RISK-SHARING NEWS
JENNIFER ANDRISEN SELZLER | CLAIMS ASSOCIATES, INC.
Subrogration: It effects you
Subrogation is one of those insurance terms that you try to know enough about to be educated…. but yet, you don’t want to be an expert. It can be a complicated system with policy, statutes, and case law. You need to know enough to talk in general conversation, but do you really need to know what it’s all about? The short answer is YES!
Subrogation is the means in which the Work Comp Fund receives reimbursement for payments. The Fund has the same rights afforded to the victim. In a workers’ compensation claim, the “victim” is the employee. If an employee is injured due to another’s negligence, the employee has the potential for recovery. Subrogation allows the Fund, which pays the benefits, to step into the shoes of the employee and have the same right of recovery as that employee. Subrogation allows the work comp benefits to be recovered from the tortfeasor or “wrong doer.”
The primary purpose of subrogation, according to the National Association of Subrogation Professionals, is “to prevent a victim from recovering twice for the same loss.” In a workers compensation claim example, the employee could receive work comp benefits and also pursue a liability settlement. The principal of subrogation does not allow the employee to recover the damages that have already been paid by the Fund, nor do the South Dakota work comp statutes.
SDCL 62-4-40 indicates that the insurer/ provider may collect recovery “in his own name.” This means that the work comp carrier can pursue recovery regardless of the intention of the employee to pursue a liability claim.
SDCL 62-4-38 explains that if an employee receives a recovery from a third party, the recovery is an offset against any further workers compensation benefits.
It is important for all the people involved in a claim - from the employer, employee, claims person, and attorney - to understand the principle of subrogation and how South Dakota law re-enforces it. The SDML Workers Compensation Fund coverage document supports the principal with the following language:
Each member agrees that in the event of the payment of any loss by the Fund under this agreement, the Fund shall subrogate to the extent of such payment to all rights of the member against any person or other entity legally responsible for damages of or on said losses, and in such event, the member hereby agrees to render all reasonable assistance, other than pecuniary assistance, to effect recovery by the Fund under such right.
The Fund has a fi nancial interest in recovery since they paid the benefits. Claims Associates, Inc attempts to identify any subrogation potential from criminal restitution to civil tort. This could be a police officer who was injured while someone was resisting arrest or a meter reader who slipped and fell on the ice or an employee involved in a motor vehicle accident. If workers’ compensation benefits are due, these benefi ts will NOT be affected. The employee does not lose any rights to use the work comp system. The Fund just gains the right to recover what they paid in benefits.
If a claim is submitted and you feel that a third party is responsible for the injury, please do not hesitate to discuss this further with our office. There may or may not be a potential, but if we do not explore it, we will never know. ■ PAST COLLECTIONS AND THE PROGRESS TO DATE IN 2024
SOUTH DAKOTA MUNICIPALITIES STATEMENT OF
RESOURCE ROUNDUP
Grants
Agri-Business Grant, SD Dept. of Transportation
Due: Oct. 15
Open to any local unit of government for the development of new or expanded agri-business industries. Provides for 80% of the construction costs. Grant size is limited to $600,000.
Learn more/apply: https://dot.sd.gov
Industrial Park Grant, SD Dept. of Transportation
Due: Oct. 15
Open to any local unit of government for the development of new or expanded access for new industry located within industrial parks. Provides for 80% of the construction costs. Grant size is limited to $500,000.
Learn more/apply: https://dot.sd.gov
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, SD Office of Emergency Management
Due: May 30, 2025
Available for local governments and certain privatenon-profit organizations to apply for hazard mitigation projects. Funding will first be prioritized in the areas declared a major disaster following the flooding event in SD from June 16 to July 8, 2024. Learn more/apply: https://dps.sd.gov; Jim Poppen, 605-773-3231 or jim.poppen@state.sd.us
Trainings
SDML Annual Conference
Oct. 8-11, Sioux Falls
Registration: $125 members; $225 non-members; more registration options
Gathers municipal employees and elected officials from across the state to network, learn new tips and trends, share best practices, and discover new products from exhibitors.
The largest educational and networking event for city officials in the United States, it brings together thousands of city leaders, corporate partners, and city staff for four days of educational seminars, policymaking, and networking activities. Held annually by the National League of Cities.
Learn more/register: https://citysummit.nlc.org
Safety & Loss Control Training Conference
Nov. 20-21, Pierre
Registration: SDPAA and/or SDML Workers Comp Fund members $75; non-pool members $90
Due: Late fees apply after Nov. 6
Topics include violence at work, worker burnout, claims, fall prevention, accident investigation, and more.
Learn more/register: www.safety-benefits.com
Election Training
Six separate sessions: Dec. 5 & 12; March 10, 12, 19, & 26
Registration: Free, pre-registration not required
Multiple sessions assist officials in conducting municipal or school elections. Attend the individual sessions that interest you. Topics for each webinar available to view online. New finance officers and business managers are encouraged to attend all webinars. Sponsored by the Secretary of State's office, Associated School Boards of South Dakota, and the South Dakota Municipal League.
Learn more: www.sdmunicipalleague.org/events
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WASHINGTON REPORT
U.S. SENATOR MIKE ROUNDS
There’s
a better way to help students finance their education
While visiting with South Dakotans over the last few years, I have had many families express their frustrations over the need for a more efficient and affordable way to pay for higher education.
The current student loan system under the BidenHarris Administration is failing American families. The gap between the cost of attendance and available affordable financing continues to widen, making college out of reach for many middle-class South Dakota families who are above the income thresholds and do not qualify for federal subsidized loans.
Additionally, many students from our farm and ranch families do not qualify for these loans. Farmers and ranchers have land holdings and large equipment. In South Dakota, we all know that land and combines are not liquid and cannot be used to pay for college. But the way our current student loan system defines wealth, these assets disqualify farm and ranch kids from receiving additional aid.
When students don’t qualify for subsidized student loans, they are forced to either rely on high interest Parent-Plus loans offered by the federal government or to compromise on their educational choices.
That’s why I recently introduced The Affordable Future Loan Program Act which would allow students to go to their local bank or credit union to get loans for higher education – whether a four-year college or a technical school. This offers students the ability for a lower-cost financing plan and offers local financial institutions an opportunity to develop a relationship with young professionals and families for future financing needs.
The proposal is inspired by the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFEL) that was created by the Higher Education Act of 1965, but repealed in 2010. Since 2010, all federal loans have been issued by the Department of Education. Basically, our proposal is adding back what used to work for students across South Dakota; but it will not eliminate or impact any of the currently existing federal finance options.
The proposed Affordable Future Loan leverages the private sector to create a new loan product. Every student will be eligible for this loan, regardless of parent income or assets. The loan amount available is equal to the average cost to attend a public university plus room and board, which is currently approximately $19,000 per year in South Dakota. The federal government guarantees 98 percent of the loan and covers the cost of interest while the student is in school. Six months after graduating, the student would start repaying the loan over the next 15 years or opt for a repayment plan that considers income. The maximum interest rate is capped at 6.28%, compared to current Parent Plus loan rates of 6.53%-9.08%.
The current federal student loan plan is projected to cost $34 billion over the next 10 years just to administer the loans. That doesn’t even include the cost for student loan forgiveness, which taxpayers have spent $144 billion on in the last four years. The cost of the Biden-Harris administration’s student loan forgiveness policies, which have largely been found unconstitutional, significantly exceeds the cost of the Affordable Future Loan proposal.
By having the federal government guarantee loans made by local lenders and making sure no interest accrues while students are in school, this legislation provides a sustainable and affordable solution. This proposal will help address the issues with today’s student aid and will give all students an opportunity to get the education they need to be successful. ■
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
After School Program Assistant (Part-time), Community Center –City of Madison, SD. Responsible for assisting children in our after school care program, activities, programs, homework, crafts and educational activities. Work is typically performed indoors and is Monday thru Friday with working hours that can range from 3:15pm6:00pm and can be flexible based on your daily schedule. Hours are scheduled to meet the needs of the community center after school care program and for various programs and events to serve the community. The position works with children, youth, adults, employees, and the general public. Learn more and apply at www. cityofmadisonsd.com/Jobs. Open until filled. EOE.
Airport ARFF/Operations/Maintenance Technician – City of Pierre, SD. Responsible for providing general daily oversight of airside operations by monitoring overall airfield safety, performs vehicle and equipment maintenance, airfield lighting maintenance and performs aircraft rescue firefighter duties. Maintains lighting systems, vehicles, equipment, grounds, structures, pavement and turf. Assists in overseeing wildlife management at airport through annual training, assisting in depredation permits, and overseeing bird strike report program. Maintains documentation and records of all actions taken on airfield to ensure compliance with FAA Part 139 certification requirements. Wage offer will be based upon actual education and experience. Comprehensive benefit package. UP TO A $3,000
HIRING BONUS! Learn more and apply at www.cityofpierre.org. Open until filled. EOE.
Aquatics Director, Evans Plunge Mineral Springs – City of Hot Springs, SD. This position is a leadership role within the organizational structure of Evans Plunge. Responsible for technical and administrative work that involves overseeing the safe and effective operation of buildings, facilities and equipment with primary emphasis on the swimming pools, hot tubs, and health club amenities. Involves management of the lifeguards and slide dispatchers. Work will regularly involve providing lifesaving assistance, ensuring the safe use of the pool facilities, and safeguarding the conduct of pool patrons. May also include maintaining records, assisting in facility maintenance, equipment inspection and maintenance, and enforcing established policies and procedures. WAGE: DOEQ$20.53-TOS. Learn more and apply at https://hs-sd.org/community/ city_employment.php. Open until filled.
Building Services Code Consultant/Plans Examiner – City of Rapid City, SD. Responsible for administering the compliance of codes, rules, and regulations governing the building construction industry, including the International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Existing Building Code, and ANSI codes and standards, and to supervise and coordinate Building Inspection staff. Salary: $61,363.76 - $82,159.53 annually. Competitive benefits. See full description at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/ rapidcity. Open until filled.
City Administrator - City of Hot Springs, SD. Assumes full responsibility for planning, administering, directing, overseeing and evaluating the activities and operations of the City of Hot Springs. Provides policy guidance to and coordinates the activities of management staff; facilitates the development and implementation of long and short range plans, policies, goals, objectives and programs to provide the City with technical and administrative direction in meeting and maintaining City services standards; ensures public services are delivered in an efficient and effective manner; responds in emergency management situations and provides complex administrative support to the Mayor and City Council including implementing policy decisions made by the City Council. WAGE: $25.30 - 31.63/ hr. TOS, or $52,625 - $65,790 DOEQ. Learn more and apply at https://hs-sd.org/community/city_employment.php. Open until filled.
City Attorney – City of Pukwana, SD. Town of Pukwana is looking for legal representative. Pukwana sells utilities (sewer/water/ electric) and has recently expanded. Board has purchased 80 acres of cropland adjacent in city limits. Looking to develop. We are in need of a town lawyer. All efforts to stay local have come up empty handed. Please drop us an email: townpukwana@midstatesd.net or call the office 605.894.4316. Pukwana might not make ya' "rich" but we can work on making ya' "famous." Open until filled.
Communications Officer – City of Pierre, SD. Work as part of a team operating the Central South Dakota Communications
Center, the 911-Emergency Dispatch Center for central South Dakota. Receiving calls for assistance from the public, document and dispatch appropriate public safety personnel for those calls. Receive, process and send radio communications for various Law Enforcement Agencies, Emergency Medical Services, and local Fire Departments. 40 hours per week - Shift work. Comprehensive benefit package. UP TO $3000 HIRING BONUS! Learn more and apply at www.cityofpierre.org. Open until filled. EOE.
Communications Officer - City of Spearfish, SD. Responsible for performing emergency and non-emergency communications functions. Requirements: Knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with completion of specialized training in the field of work, in addition to basic skills typically associated with a high school education. Sufficient experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position, usually associated with the completion of an apprenticeship/internship or having had a similar position for one to two years. Starting wage $23.33 ($21.33 plus $2.00 rotating shift stipend); comprehensive benefits. Learn more and apply at www.cityofspearfish.com, under “Career Opportunities.” Open until filled. EOE.
Communications Specialist (E-911) – City of Mitchell, SD. Responsible for answering emergency and non-emergency calls and for dispatching appropriate personnel. Some of the duties are: provide guidance to callers until emergency personnel arrive on scene; receives and transmits radio and telephone communication;
monitors security cameras; and greets and assists visitors at the customer service window. No experience in the field is necessary; however, sufficient experience to understand basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position. Possession of or ability to readily obtain NCIC and EMD Certification. Starting wage: $22.477 per hour plus benefits. Learn more and apply at www. cityofmitchellsd.gov. Open until filled.
Electrical Superintendent/Lineman - City of Arlington, SD (population 925). Must have successfully completed an approved Electrical Line Worker program and have Journeyman experience. Requires a strong working knowledge of a municipal electrical system, departmental budgeting, and a vision for long range electrical system planning. Must be proficient with computers including Microsoft, mapping, and AMI systems. Must possess a Class A CDL Driver’s license (or acquire one). Subject to random drug and alcohol testing. Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Competitive benefits package. For more information, contact Marshal Mix (Utility Supt) at 605-203-1121. Submit a cover letter, resume, salary history and three work-related references to cityofarlington@arlingtonsd.com or mail to PO Box 379, Arlington, SD 57212. Open until filled. EOE.
Finance Officer – City of Delmont, SD. Responsible for maintaining financial, accounting, administrative and personnel services for all departments, in order to meet legislative requirements and support municipal operations. Reports to the Mayor and Council and is responsible for preparing financial statements, maintaining cash controls, preparing the payroll and personnel administration, purchasing, maintaining accounts payable and managing office operations. The Finance Officer is the official responsible for keeping all papers and records of the municipality. Must work within the Town
of Delmont’s policies/procedures/ordinances and in compliance with South Dakota Codified Law. Questions: Barb Dozark, 605-7792621, delmontfinance@midstatesd.net. Application and resume may be sent to: Delmont Finance Office, PO Box 202, Delmont, SD 57330. Open until filled.
Journey Lineman - Flandreau Municipal Electric Department, City of Flandreau, SD. The city employs two full-time Journey Lineman, who serve under the direction of the Electric Superintendent. Applicants must have their Journey Lineman Certificate and a minimum of four years of related experience. Hiring range for the position is $32-$41 hourly, including a full benefits package. Interested applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and application to cohlturnquist@ cityofflandreau.com. Open until filled. EOE.
Library Clerk – City of Hot Springs, SD. Serves patrons of the Public Library in numerous capacities. Supports the Library Director by maintaining and delivering the varied library services for the community. Maintain and deliver varied library services for the community. Process new materials. Enter record into the electronic catalog. Serve patrons at the front desk in full capacity of circulation needs. Maintain circulation statistics. Maintain patron records. Compile statistics. Inventory of materials as needed. Perform open & close duties. Keep Director informed of problems and works to solve them. $14.59/hour. View full description and download application at www.hs-sd.org. Open until filled.
Liquor Store/Bar Manager – City of Kadoka, SD. Retail and/or managerial experience is bene-ficial, but not required. Please return letter of interest, resume and/or completed application form to City Finance Officer, PO Box 58, Kadoka, SD 57543. Application forms are available at the City Finance Office. Full time. Includes health, dental, and retirement benefits. Salary range $30,000 to $50,000, depending upon qualifications. Please call the City Finance Office at (605) 837-2229 if you have any questions. Open until filled. EOE.
Park Maintenance – City of Fort Pierre, SD. Maintenance and grounds-keeping for all City parks, campground, ditches, bike paths, rights-of-way, recreational facilities, and comfort stations. Plant trees, grass, and other vegetation; install landscaping and sprinkler systems. Operate and maintain a variety of equipment and hand/
CIVIL MUNICIPAL ENGINEERING
Land
Master
Recreation
CLASSIFIEDS
power tools. $2,000 Hiring Bonus. Starting wage $20.00/hr and negotiable depending on qualifications and certifications such as CDL & Applicator's License, plus excellent benefits: health/vision/life insurance, vacation/sick leave, and SD Retirement System. Learn more and apply at www.fortpierre.com (Employment Opportunities), or by request at 605-223-7690, admin1@fortpierre.com, or P.O. Box 700, Fort Pierre, South Dakota 57532. Open until filled. EOE.
Patrol Officer – City of Pierre, SD. Performs law enforcement & public safety duties as necessary to maintain law & order in the City of Pierre. Must be at least 21 years of age, have a high school diploma or GED, & pass the police entry level examinations including a background investigation. Prior experience in law enforcement is desirable. Certified officer preferred. Up to $2000 annually for educational reimbursement. Up to $6000 hiring bonus. Comprehensive benefit package. Learn more and apply: Human Resources Office, City of Pierre, Box 1253, Pierre, SD 57501, (605)773-7429, www.cityofpierre.org. Open until filled. EOE.
Patrol Officer - City of Mitchell, SD. Responsible for the enforcement of federal, state, and local laws and the protection of life and property. Some of the job duties include: patrol the city to detect and deter criminal activity and traffic violations and to provide assistance as needed; monitors commercial and residential areas for signs of criminal activity; responds to calls for service, including domestic disputes, assaults, burglaries, traffic accidents, lost or missing persons searches, public service requests; completes required reports and forms, including accident and incident reports. Starting wage: $28.773 per hour. $3,000 relocation stipend. Competitive benefits. Learn more and apply at www.cityofmitchellsd.gov. Open until filled.
Planning Technician – City of Spearfish, SD. Position is available 1/1/2025. Provides essential support to the City’s Planning & Zoning Department, playing a pivotal role in overseeing various phases of community development projects and ensuring cohesive project coordination. Performs advanced technical and administrative tasks, meticulous attention to detail, effective communication skills, and critical thinking. The work is project-oriented, encompassing activities from initial planning through implementation and evaluation. Starting wage: $23.54 - $27.98 per hour plus excellent benefit package. Learn more and apply on the “Career Opportunities” page at www. cityofspearfish.com. Open until filled. EOE.
Police Officer – City of Avon, SD. Conduct routine patrols, including enforcing traffic laws and maintaining visibility within the city. Enforce local, state, and federal laws. Must have excellent communication skills, work well with general public. High school diploma or GED required; certified officer preferred. Competitive benefit package. Contact City of Avon for more information at cityavon@gwtc.net or call 605-286-3694. Print application at cityavon@org.com. Open until filled.
Police Officer (Temp Full Time) – City of Elk Point, SD. Conduct routine patrols, including enforcing traffic laws and maintaining visibility within the community. Respond to emergency and nonemergency calls for assistance, including medical emergencies, civil disputes, domestic violence, lost or stolen property, animal problems, etc. Enforce traffic laws, including speed limits, seatbelt use, reckless driving and DUI detection; respond to accident calls and citizen complaints. Locate and arrest violators of state and local laws as directed; issue citations or take violators to jail as appropriate. Learn more and apply at https://elkpoint.org/employment. Open until filled.
Police Officer – City of Freeman, SD. Must have excellent communication skills, work well with the general public and meet deadlines. Responsibilities include maintain law and order, serve as point of contact for law enforcement issues, perform police patrol and other law enforcement duties. High school diploma or GED required; certified officer preferred. Applications and a full job description are available at cityoffreeman.org/employment. Open until filled.
Police Officer – City of Spearfish, SD. Enforce local, state, and federal laws, prevent and suppress crime and accidents, and promote public safety through community policing principles. This position will be responsible for the investigation of criminal cases as assigned. Full-time position. Learn more and apply on the “Career Opportunities” page at www.cityofspearfish.com. Starting wage: $30.13 per hour. ~Sign-On Bonus $6,000~ Competitive benefit package. Open until filled. EOE.
Police Officer (Entry Level/Lateral Entry) - City of Vermillion, SD. Duties include performing varied assignments in motorized patrol, traffic control and enforcement, accident investigation, preliminary and follow-up investigation at crime scenes, and assisting in public safety education programs. To learn more about the police officer position and to complete an application, please visit the City of Vermillion's job page: https://www.vermillion.us/Jobs.aspx or if you have questions about the position please call/email Jack Baustian at 605-677-7050 or jackb@cityofvermillion.com. Open until filled.
Public Works Director – City of Crooks, SD. Performs a variety of supervisory, administrative, skilled, technical, and maintenance work in the planning, construction, operation, repair, maintenance, and replacement of City water, sewer, natural gas, street, storm drainage, snow removal, parks facilities, governmental systems/ facilities, animal control and code enforcement. Contact Tobias
Schantz at 605-543-5238 or via email at fo@crookssd.org for more information or questions. Open until filled.
Public Works Director (part-time) – City of Delmont, SD. Performs work in maintenance of all phases of water distribution and supply, wastewater collection system and lagoon, maintenance and repair of streets and alleys, maintenance of parks, dump ground, any and all city property. Questions: Barb Dozark, 605-779-2621, delmontfinance@midstatesd.net. Application and resume may be sent to: Delmont Finance Office, PO Box 202, Delmont, SD 57330. Open until filled.
Public Works Director – City of Fort Pierre, SD. Provides technical assistance that will impact decisions on the day-to-day distribution of the workload of field staff, tactfully handles engineering related questions or problems, works with the City Superintendents, Assistant Public Works Director, or other staff for resolution of such issues. Maintains a professional presence and respectfully answers questions by staff and general public. $2,000 Hiring Bonus. Minimum starting salary $90,000/yr negotiable depending on qualifications and certifications, plus excellent benefits. Learn more and apply at www.fortpierre.com (Employment Opportunities). Open until filled.
Service Technician/Equipment Operator – City of Vermillion, SD. Duties to include: light and heavy maintenance on construction equipment, operate light and heavy-duty equipment, inspection, repair, clean-up, adjustments, and other tasks on City fleet, and other duties further outlined in the job description found in the link below.
To learn more about the position and to complete an application, please visit the City of Vermillion's job page: https://www.vermillion. us/Jobs.aspx or if you have questions about the position please call/ email Jack Baustian at 605-677-7050 or jackb@cityofvermillion. com. Open until filled.
Staff Engineer – City of Pierre, SD. Assists City Engineer in providing technical services related to City of Pierre infrastructure projects. Responsible for preparation and administration of annual construction and materials contracts. Also assists Building Officials in plan review and issuing Building Permits. Duties include project feasibility analysis, infrastructure analysis & planning, infrastructure cost estimating, municipal infrastructure project design & review, and construction project administration. Comprehensive benefit package. Up to $2000 annual educational assistance available. Wage offer will be based upon actual education and experience. UP TO $3000 HIRING BONUS! Learn more and apply at www. cityofpierre.org. Open until filled. EOE.
Street Maintenance - City of Fort Pierre, SD. Participate in the construction, maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, and cleaning of City streets, alleys, curbs, gutters, storm drains, and related structures. Perform traffic signing and striping work along with operating and maintaining a variety of equipment and hand/power tools. $2,000 hiring bonus. Starting wage $20.00/hr and negotiable depending on qualifications and certifications such as CDL, plus excellent benefits: health/vision/life insurance, vacation/sick leave, and SD Retirement System. Learn more and apply at www.fortpierre.com (Employment
Opportunities), or by request at 605-223-7690, admin1@fortpierre. com, or P.O. Box 700, Fort Pierre, South Dakota 57532. Open until filled. EOE.
Water Plant/System Specialist – City of Pierre, SD. Responsible for the operation and maintenance of the City’s new state of the art Water Treatment Facility and distribution systems. Qualified applicants must have the ability to learn water treatment techniques and be able to perform a multitude of hands-on maintenance activities that pertain to drinking water systems. Comprehensive benefit package. Up to $2000 annual educational assistance available. Wage offer will be based upon actual education and experience.UP TO A $3000 HIRING BONUS! Learn more and apply at www.cityofpierre.org. Open until filled.
Water/Wastewater Maintenance Worker – Hot Springs, SD. Performs a variety of unskilled and semi-skilled maintenance work, and operates a variety of equipment and tools in the construction, operation, repair, maintenance, and replacement of City of Hot Springs water supply, distribution, or wastewater treatment facilities and systems. May also be assigned to provide general public works maintenance support work in other public works areas. Hourly position, 7AM-4 PM M-F, additional weekend, holiday, night, overtime hours possible. Wage DOEQ $15.74 TOS – ability to raise base rate $1 per certification. View full description and download application at www.hs-sd.org. Open until filled.
MORE ONLINE
Find full descriptions, links to applications, more listings, or place an ad online:
SDMUNICIPALLEAGUE.ORG/NETWORKING
CLASSIFIEDS POLICY: $50 per submission. SDML members receive classified ads for free as part of their membership. Includes a listing on the SDML classifieds webpage and in the next issue of the SD Municipalities magazine if received by the 10th of the month preceding the publication date. Submissions may be subject to editing. ■
OUT
OF THE The SDML office will be closed
OFFICE
OCTOBER
first regular meeting of the governing body in November. (NOTE: This is an administrative determination so no statutory citation is possible.)
Second Monday of October – Native Americans’ Day – State holiday (SDCL 1-5-1)
By October 15 – The secretary of revenue shall apportion the money in the local government highway and bridge fund. (SDCL 32-11-35; See Hdbk., sec. 12.255(6))
must be certified to the county auditor. (SDCL 9-43-106; See Hdbk., sec. 12.160)
No later than second Tuesday in November – Governing boards wishing to consolidate boards of equalization must approve a resolution outlining consolidated board membership no later than the second Tuesday in November. (SDCL 10-11-66; See Hdbk., sec. 12.120)
On or before October 1 – The tax levies for the ensuing year must be certified to the county auditor. (SDCL 10-12-7; See Hdbk. Sec. 12.066)
In October – The State Department of Revenue mails out liquor license application forms to all licensees to be completed and submitted to the local authorities for initial action at the
No later than November 1 – The special assessment roll for all assessments payable under the Plan One option must be delivered to the county auditor. (SDCL 9-43-105; See Hdbk., sec. 12.160)
No later than November 1 – Delinquent special assessment installments which are payable under the Plan Two option
Boundary changes – Municipalities must notify the Department of Revenue of any resolution or amendment enacted which changes the boundaries of the municipality. Notifi cation shall be in written form, shall contain a copy of the resolution or amendment, and may be sent by electronic means or registered mail. Municipalities shall also provide any changes and additions to streets and addresses. (SDCL 10-52-13; See Hdbk., sec. 14.172) ■
OCTOBER
No later than November 1 – Delinquent special assessment installments which are payable under the Plan Two option must be certified to the county auditor. (SDCL 9-43-106; See Hdbk., sec. 12.160)
No later than November 1 – The liquor tax reversion must be made. (SDCL 35-5-22; See Hdbk., sec. 11.600)
No later than November 1 – The special assessment roll for all assessments payable under the Plan One option must be delivered to the county auditor. (SDCL 9-43-105; See Hdbk., sec. 12.160)
November 1 – All property subject to taxation shall be listed and assessed annually, but the value of such property is to be determined according to its value on the first day of November preceding the assessment. (SDCL 10-6105; See Hdbk., sec. 12.105)
First Tuesday after the first Monday in November – The general election is held each even numbered year. (SDCL 12-2-2)
November 11 – Veterans’ Day – State holiday (SDCL 1-5-1)
No later than second Tuesday in November – Governing boards wishing to consolidate boards of equalization must approve a resolution outlining consolidated board membership. (SDCL 10-11-66; See Hdbk., sec. 12.120)
Fourth Thursday of November –Thanksgiving Day – State holiday (SDCL 1-5-1)
Boundary changes – Municipalities must notify the Department of Revenue of any resolution or amendment enacted which changes the boundaries of the municipality. Notification shall be in written form, shall contain a copy of the resolution or amendment, and may be sent by electronic means or registered mail. Municipalities shall also provide any changes and additions to streets and addresses. (SDCL 10-52-13; See Hdbk., sec. 14.172) ■
