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Citizen Portal News South Dakota
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Southeast Technical College's law enforcement program is revolutionizing training with cutting-edge simulators and a stellar 90% pass rate, paving the way for future officers!

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#SD #EducationReform #CrisisIntervention #SouthDakotaLawEnforcement #PublicSafety #CitizenPortal
Southeast Technical College law enforcement program reports enrollment growth, high reciprocity pass rates
Instructors told the board the two-year law enforcement program is expanding hands-on training with simulators and partnerships with local agencies, and reported high reciprocity pass rates that help graduates qualify for agency hiring; the board acknowledged the update.
citizenportal.ai
January 9, 2026 at 8:40 PM
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The Dakota Prairie Museum is not just a cultural gem in Downtown Aberdeen; with over 18,000 visitors last year and exciting expansion plans, it's calling on the city for crucial support to keep the momentum going!

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#SD #CommunitySupport #EducationOutreach #CitizenPortal
Dakota Prairie Museum urges continued City of Aberdeen promotional support, outlines expansion plans
Patricia Kendall of the Dakota Prairie Museum told the City Council on Jan. 5 the museum draws more than 17,000 annual visitors and requested continued city promotional support for FY2027, citing recent growth from the new Buntrock Gallery and plans for traveling exhibits and future expansion studies.
citizenportal.ai
January 9, 2026 at 5:13 AM
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Pennington County commissioners are raising eyebrows over a controversial TIF application that could reshape a former service station site into a multifamily development.

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#PenningtonCounty #SD #PenningtonCountyTIF #PublicFunding #EnvironmentalRemediation #CitizenPortal
Pennington County authorizes staff comments on Rapid City TIF application amid commissioner concerns
After reviewing a proposed TIF for a former Phillips 66 site, commissioners asked staff to compile and transmit the board's comments to Rapid City, citing concerns over eligibility of items like landscaping and closing costs.
citizenportal.ai
January 8, 2026 at 11:46 AM
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Pennington County is stepping up to ensure that millions from Ellsworth Air Force Base construction will help fix local roads, paving the way for safer travel and community growth.

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#PenningtonCounty #SD #CommunityDevelopment #InfrastructureImprovement #LegislativeSupport
Pennington County backs letter supporting use of contractors' excise tax revenue for roads near Ellsworth
Box Elder officials asked Pennington County to support legislation directing a portion of the state's 2% contractors excise tax from Ellsworth AFB construction to local roadway repairs; the board approved a letter of support and volunteered commissioners to testify in Pierre.
citizenportal.ai
January 8, 2026 at 11:36 AM
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Lincoln County's airport is facing a financial storm, with residents demanding accountability while officials argue over how to turn losses into profits on valuable FAA land.

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#LincolnCounty #SD #FinancialAccountability #CitizenPortal #EconomicDevelopment #PublicTransparency
Lincoln County commissioners, residents spar over airport deficits and plans for 20 acres of development
A lengthy Jan. 6 exchange examined operating deficits, capital outlay and a plan to develop 20 FAA‑provided acres with hangars; residents urged an audit and greater accountability while airport staff described federal reimbursements and development timelines.
citizenportal.ai
January 8, 2026 at 11:00 AM
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Codington County's Veterans Service Officer reports a surge in claims and an exciting new outreach event set for March 24—don't miss the chance to learn about vital benefits!

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#CodingtonCounty #SD #ClaimAssistance #OutreachEvents #CitizenPortal #VeteranSupport
County veterans officer reports higher claim activity and new state outreach requirement; March 24 outreach planned
Veterans Service Officer Jay Roberts told the board the office has 134 open claims (59 pending VA action) and completed 358 claims for the year. He said the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs now requires quarterly outreach events to qualify for the state VSO stipend; an outreach event is set for March 24 in Watertown.
citizenportal.ai
January 7, 2026 at 6:29 PM
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Rapid City's Legal & Finance Committee has taken a bold step to enhance safety for students by approving a pilot program that places dedicated staff at Wilson Park and Elementary.

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#RapidCityPenningtonCounty #SD #CommunityOutreach #PublicSafety #YouthProtection #RapidCitySafety
Rapid City committee backs JourneyOn pilot to add safe‑passages staff at Wilson Park and Wilson Elementary
Following a presentation and debate over funding sources and contingency balances, the committee agreed to fund a pilot by nonprofit JourneyOn to place two hybrid street‑outreach/safe‑passages staff at Wilson Park and Wilson Elementary to reduce youth exposure to chronic inebriation.
citizenportal.ai
January 5, 2026 at 6:53 PM
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A tribal representative is pushing for mental health board inclusion to tackle urgent transport bottlenecks that could save lives in Buffalo County.

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#BuffaloCounty #SD #TransportationChallenges #BuffaloCountyMentalHealth #CitizenPortal #TribalRepresentation #HealthEquity
Tribal representative urges mental-health board inclusion as county and tribe confront transport bottlenecks
Peter Lenkeek and other speakers told commissioners that Chamberlain accepts mental-health referrals only from the Buffalo County mental health board, highlighting transportation gaps and the need for tribal representation on the board to streamline urgent referrals and transfers.
citizenportal.ai
January 4, 2026 at 10:57 PM
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Buffalo County residents and officials are rallying behind their emergency manager, highlighting his critical role in saving lives during recent crises while commissioners push for clearer reporting before the contract renewal.

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#BuffaloCounty #SD #EmergencyResponse
Residents praise county emergency manager as commissioners weigh contract and reporting expectations
Public comments at the Buffalo County commission meeting praised the county emergency manager for coordinating multi-department responses and securing grants; commissioners requested written reports and discussed updating the existing emergency-management contract and annual emergency-plan obligations.
citizenportal.ai
January 4, 2026 at 10:56 PM
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A last-minute fire-suppression requirement has derailed the courthouse annex remodel, ballooning costs by nearly $70,000 and prompting an urgent executive session.

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#SD #ConstructionIssues #PublicSafety #SouthDakotaCounty #CitizenPortal #CivicAccountability
Sprinkler change order stalls annex remodel; commission schedules executive session and special Zoom meeting
A required fire-suppression (sprinkler) change order for the courthouse annex added about $141,832 to the project—pushing total costs to roughly $223,002 and pausing construction; commissioners entered executive session for contract/legal review and scheduled a 3 p.m. Zoom-only meeting the next day to consider the change order.
citizenportal.ai
January 4, 2026 at 10:24 PM
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Lincoln County commissioners are grappling with the future of the aging Old Courthouse, weighing costly repair options and seeking public input before making a decision.

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#LincolnCounty #SD #LincolnCountyCourthouse #CivicTransparency #PublicEngagement #CommunityInput
Lincoln County commissioners debate options for aging Old Courthouse; no decision made
Commissioners and a citizen committee reviewed options for the Old Courthouse — short-term roof/attic fixes ($400k–$500k), a partial remodel (packet reference ~$1.6M), a full remodel (~$9.6M) or demolition/facade options — and public commenters urged more transparency. The commission asked for firmer cost estimates and public input before acting.
citizenportal.ai
January 4, 2026 at 4:06 AM
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Senator Glenn Vilhauer warns of a whirlwind 2026 legislative session with 500-600 bills on the horizon and urges residents to make their voices heard on critical issues like property-tax relief and the state budget.

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#CodingtonCounty #SD #EconomicDevelopment #StateBudget
Sen. Glenn Vilhauer previews 2026 legislative session, urges constituents to contact lawmakers
Senator Glenn Vilhauer told the Codington County Board the Legislature convenes Jan. 13, expects hundreds of bills, and highlighted property‑tax proposals, the governor's sales‑tax option for local property‑tax relief, the state budget and data‑center debates; he urged constituents to identify themselves when contacting legislators.
citizenportal.ai
December 29, 2025 at 5:43 AM
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Aberdeen's city council just took a major step forward by approving the final loan application to secure $16.2 million for crucial upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant!

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#SD #PublicFunding #InfrastructureImprovement #EnvironmentalSustainability #CitizenPortal
Council authorizes final loan application to complete Aberdeen wastewater plant
The council voted to authorize a multi-part loan application to finish the wastewater treatment improvements and to designate a city representative to sign payment draws; NECOG’s grant specialist outlined loan terms and DNR debt-coverage expectations.
citizenportal.ai
December 27, 2025 at 11:44 AM
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Huron City Commission just approved significant labor contracts and a phased HR system after intense debate—what does this mean for local employees?

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#HuronBeadleCounty #SD #HRInnovation #LaborContracts #HuronAgendas #CitizenPortal #CivicAccountability
Commission ratifies police and AFSCME contracts and approves phased UKG HR system after hour‑long debate
The commission approved a 2026 FOP contract and a two‑year AFSCME deal, and after extended questioning approved a three‑year UKG HR system contract with a substitute motion to include additional modules and integration funding.
citizenportal.ai
December 26, 2025 at 10:03 PM
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Beresford City Council has approved a 3% increase in retail electric rates for 2026, responding to a significant rise in wholesale costs from Missouri River Energy.

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#BeresfordUnionCounty #SD #EnergyRates #CivicTransparency #CostManagement #BeresfordElectric #CitizenPortal
Beresford council approves 3% electric rate increase for 2026
The council adopted Resolution 2025-1026 to raise retail electric rates by 3% for 2026 after staff said wholesale costs from Missouri River Energy rose about 4.7%; council approved the resolution by voice vote.
citizenportal.ai
December 25, 2025 at 10:30 PM
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Pennington County Commissioners have voted to boost funding for the Rapid City Public Library to $320,000 for 2026 after passionate pleas from the community to protect vital services for working families.

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#PenningtonCounty #SD #CommunitySupport #PenningtonCountyLibrary
Pennington County boosts Rapid City library funding to $320,000 for 2026 after public outcry
After weeks of citizen comment and commissioner review, the Pennington County Commission voted 4–1 to raise county support for Rapid City Public Library to a $320,000 package for 2026, drawing on the library reserve, the existing levy and contingency funds while commissioners plan longer‑term changes to the levy structure.
citizenportal.ai
December 25, 2025 at 9:12 AM
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Pennington County is shifting gears on renewable energy, directing staff to limit utility-scale wind and solar projects to industrial zones after an emotional public hearing revealed deep divides in the community.

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#PenningtonCounty #SD #RenewableEnergy #CommunityInvolvement
After heated public hearing, Pennington County directs staff to steer utility‑scale solar and wind toward industrial zones
Following several hours of public testimony for and against utility‑scale renewable projects, the Pennington County Commission voted 3–2 to direct staff to draft ordinance language that would restrict utility‑scale wind and solar to industrial zoning districts and continued the ordinance’s first reading to January for a staff redraft.
citizenportal.ai
December 25, 2025 at 9:11 AM
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The Mitchell City Council has taken a crucial step to secure nearly $1.5 million in grant funding for vital water facilities by pushing for a percentage increase to ensure the funds don't go to waste.

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#MitchellDavisonCounty #SD #CommunityDevelopment #GrantFunding
Council approves request to increase grant share for consolidated water facilities project
Council approved staff's request to change the grant percentage from 5.1% to 10% (up to $1,519,868) so a consolidated water facilities construction program grant can be spent before its listed expiration; the transcript lists an apparent transcription error for the expiration date.
citizenportal.ai
December 24, 2025 at 7:12 AM
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The City of Mitchell has revamped its E-911 services agreement, mandating a 95% surcharge remittance and introducing annual fees that will impact local jurisdictions.

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#MitchellDavisonCounty #SD #EmergencyServices #MitchellE911 #PublicSafety #LocalGovernance #CitizenPortal
Mitchell updates interlocal E‑911 services agreement; participating jurisdictions to remit 95% of surcharge
Council approved revisions to the E‑911 services contract requiring participating jurisdictions to remit 95% of 911 surcharge receipts to the city, a $3,000 annual capital service fee, and an annually increasing services fee.
citizenportal.ai
December 24, 2025 at 6:55 AM
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Mitchell's City Council just greenlit major funding for critical infrastructure projects, including a $250,000 drainage loan and a $3.5 million bridge improvement grant!

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#MitchellDavisonCounty #SD #PublicFunding #CommunityImprovement #MitchellDrainage #CitizenPortal
Council approves SRF loan application, contingency transfers and Canal Bridge grant application
Council approved a State Revolving Fund application for the 13th & Wisconsin drainage project (up to $250,000 loan at 4% for 30 years), contingency transfers that included increasing an anticipated transfer to the Corn Palace to $275,000, and authorized submission of a Bridge Improvement Grant application for the Canal Bridge with an estimated project cost of $3.54 million and a 20% city match.
citizenportal.ai
December 24, 2025 at 6:41 AM
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Aberdeen's council just advanced a 2026 fee schedule that could raise water rates by 47¢ per thousand gallons for a major project—what does this mean for your wallet?

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#SD #FiscalTransparency #CommunityBudgeting #AberdeenFees #CitizenPortal #WaterRates
Aberdeen council advances 2026 fee schedule; Banner rep warns water rates could rise with major project debt
City of Aberdeen council approved first reading of ordinance 25-12o4, a 13-page 2026 fee schedule that incorporates a 6% wage increase and water/sewer rate changes tied to a Banner study; Banner staff said a $10 million project could add about $0.47 per 1,000 gallons to rates. Council approved the measure on first reading after extended questions about reserves and project timing.
citizenportal.ai
December 23, 2025 at 5:25 PM
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Exciting changes are coming to South Dakota's education funding as the ASBSD assembly pushes for new financial avenues and ensures federal dollars support public schools only!

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#SD #SouthDakotaSchools #EducationFunding #LocalControl #CitizenPortal #PublicSchoolPrograms
Board hears ASBSD delegate-assembly updates on standing positions and resolutions
Delegates reported amendments to ASBSD standing positions and resolutions, including a call to explore new funding sources, guidance limiting federal funds to public programs, deletion of compulsory attendance language to align with state law, and edits to school-finance guidance.
citizenportal.ai
December 20, 2025 at 9:41 PM
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ATEC Academy is forging exciting partnerships that not only enhance student skills but also build camping cabins for state campgrounds—creating pathways to skilled jobs in the process!

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#SD #WorkforceDevelopment #StudentAchievements #SouthDakotaEducation #CitizenPortal
ATEC Academy highlights partnerships, trade competitions and student wins
ATEC director Robbie Johnson told the board that building-trades students are constructing camping cabins for state campgrounds through a new partnership with South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks; students also participated in a weld-off and manufacturing events that exposed them to local employer needs.
citizenportal.ai
December 20, 2025 at 9:22 PM
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Hot Springs leaders are taking a bold step towards upgrading their crumbling wastewater treatment plant, but the decision ignited fierce debate over the environmental impact of discharge options.

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#HotSpringsFallRiverCounty #SD #HotSpringsWastewater #PublicHealth
Hot Springs council authorizes funding applications for wastewater plant after heated river debate
After a nearly four-hour public hearing, the Hot Springs City Council voted unanimously to authorize state and federal funding applications for a proposed $27 million wastewater treatment plant upgrade while promising further discussion about whether treated effluent will continue to be sent to local irrigation ponds or discharged to the Fall River.
citizenportal.ai
December 20, 2025 at 4:47 PM
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Hot Springs City Council is moving forward with a crucial water plan application, balancing immediate needs with the importance of future options for treated effluent discharge.

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#HotSpringsFallRiverCounty #SD #HotSpringsWaterManagement #PublicSafety #InfrastructureInvestment
Hot Springs council decides to proceed with State Water Plan application while staff to seek addendum on pond option
After an extended debate, the Hot Springs City Council voted to proceed with a January State Water Plan funding application based on the alternative to discharge treated effluent to Fall River, while directing staff and engineers to prepare an addendum to evaluate returning discharge to the existing ponds and any required testing.
citizenportal.ai
December 20, 2025 at 4:33 PM