Stacy Cruismark, vice president for business and administrative services at Dakota State University, told the commission DSU recorded its largest enrollment (3,842), will begin a presidential search as President Griffiths moves to a new chancellor role, and highlighted new academic and facilities developments.

A concise list of formal votes taken during the Oct. 20 Hot Springs City Council meeting, with outcomes and key details.

Andrea Powers, executive director of SHEDCO, briefed the council on workforce training with Western Dakota Tech, a proposed Living Local app for community notifications (one‑time build $15,000), a free entrepreneur course (week of Nov. 7), Catapult regional workforce coordination and a forthcoming housing update from Fall River Health Services.

The council held a public hearing on the North Olman Street utility improvement project and directed staff to advance a roundabout design; the city will seek up to $3.93 million from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to replace sanitary and storm sewer facilities and associated roadway work.

Council approved routine agenda items, budget supplements, grant applications and a series of payments for public works, airport and transit projects; most items passed unanimously or by voice vote.

The council voted to schedule a special meeting with two public hearings at the Mueller Civic Center on Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. to present the wastewater treatment plant facilities improvement plan prepared by AE2S and discuss costs and funding options.

Mitchell City Council approved a contract with Houston Engineering to complete a 50% probable maximum flood (PMF) assessment, breach analysis and emergency preparedness plan updates for Lake Mitchell, a step required by state authorities before work on the spillway can proceed.

Coop Architecture presented a plan to renovate Brookings High School science classrooms including a hybrid classroom model, relocated restrooms, shared prep rooms, HVAC upgrades and a proposed construction timeline with a 10% contingency for unknown plumbing and electrical issues.

Aberdeen City Council approved an agreement with Brown County to annex the county fairgrounds while preserving county control over services, alcohol licensing and allowing a one-year de-annexation process; city attorney said municipal taxes on fairgrounds transactions would be remitted to the county in lieu of municipal services.

After extended public comment from interveners and residents, the Hot Springs City Council voted to authorize the mayor to send a letter to the South Dakota Board of Minerals and Environment and to contribute up to $1,957 from 2026 contingency to help relocate the Clean Nuclear Energy Corp. permit hearing to Hot Springs.

City approved Change Order No. 1 for North Carr Street construction adding $129,847.56 to the contract largely to address unexpected poor soils; the city will cover the increase with STIP funds and the assessment to property owners is unchanged.

The council approved a multi-year schedule to raise landfill disposal rates to cover capital and operating needs shared with Yankton partners; the minimum fee will increase to $14 on Jan. 1, 2026.

City council awarded the water treatment plant base bid to RP Constructors LLC for $6,103,940 and rejected the bid alternate; project will be funded largely by a $7 million SRF loan with additional funding sources to be identified.

Staff reported the 2023 purchase-and-sale agreement for the city building housing the police department remains conditioned on substantial completion of the new facility; county staff will prepare a quitclaim deed attaching the sale agreement and coordinate signatures with city officials to effectuate closing.

County staff opened multiple sealed bids for the stream-bank stabilization project for structure 14-125-120, reported a late bid was ineligible under state law, and will tabulate and review bids with NRCS before any award.

The commission approved separate construction contracts for the public safety center (safety center) and courthouse third-floor renovation and directed staff to proceed with permitting; two contracts were adopted by voice vote.

The Mitchell Sports and Events Authority approved five grants totaling $27,500 at its October meeting, including a $2,500 award to Pheasants Forever earmarked for youth programming and funding for swim, basketball and pickleball tournaments.

Council discussed a proposed regional wastewater system for Lincoln County led by a regional growth alliance. Staff noted Lennox already operates a Class 3 wastewater treatment plant with significant remaining capacity and recommended against formal membership now, suggesting the city send a letter of support to assist partners seeking federal and,

School leaders reported steady enrollment, improved behavior referrals, new dual-credit arrangements and career-technical projects, and described security changes after a building threat assessment.

District staff summarized Title I, II, IV, VI and other federal budget allocations and alerted the board that the U.S. Department of Education Impact Aid and special education staff were furloughed, creating uncertainty about timing and access to funds.

The committee approved two supplemental appropriations, a departmental transfer of transit and GIS, revised loan terms for a childcare facility and several consent items during its Oct. 15 meeting.

During the meeting the board approved the agenda and minutes, took action on consent and work-agreement items, appointed a delegate to ASBSD, amended the school calendar and meeting date, adopted two policies on second reading, and approved several health and voluntary insurance premium renewals.

A county committee recommended the commission proceed with a renovation project for the courthouse and law-enforcement safety center, with a project budget and contingency included; the commission authorized staff to continue contract negotiations and to bring a final contract to the next meeting.

Board approved a series of Lake Area Technical College equipment purchases funded by state grants, a supplemental budget reallocating paraprofessional costs to special education, a Johnson Controls agreement for school cooling projects and numerous personnel and policy motions.

The Mitchell Planning Commission approved boundaries and a project plan for Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District No. 44, a developer‑financed package to support construction of a new Chef Louis steakhouse. Speakers urged a more detailed feasibility/"but‑for" analysis and questioned the base valuation used to estimate the increment.