By Dave Baumeister,
County Correspondent
SIOUX FALLS – In their first regular “post-election” meeting, on Tuesday, Nov. 12, Minnehaha County Commissioners heard about plans for the future of Sioux Falls and the county.
Bob Mundt of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation went over accomplishments they had in this past year, and what they hoped to do in 2025.
Mundt focused on job growth and the increased development in the industrial sector at Foundation Park, as well as other industrial development parks,
Later in the meeting, Planning and Zoning Director Scott Anderson talked about the new county comprehensive plan – Envision 2045.
He explained that currently they are in the public input phase of the plan. A public meeting was held last week in Dell Rapids, one is planned for 7 p.m. this Thursday, Nov. 14, at the Brandon city hall, and one next week in Hartford on Thursday, Nov. 21, also at 7 p.m. in their city hall.
Then, on Monday, Nov. 25, another public hearing will be held during the regular monthly planning commission meeting at 7 p.m. on the third floor of the county administration building.
At a January county commission meeting, public input will also be taken before final adoption of the plan happens.
One major area being looked at for the future is changing the county zoning requirements on “dwelling units.”
Under present regulations, only one residential dwelling unit is allowed per lot, but future plans would allow more units, provided certain conditions are met.
As part of the briefing, a representative from AARP explained “accessory dwelling units” are becoming popular nationwide for family independent living spaces.
As explained, the ADUs can allow loved ones to downsize to a smaller home, while still essentially living in the same location.
Local law enforcement
Capt. Joe Bosman of the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Department brought a new contract to the commission for law enforcement in some county municipalities.
The towns of Baltic, Colton, Crooks, Dell Rapids, Garretson, Hartford, Humboldt and Valley Springs use the sheriff’s department for their local law enforcement, as opposed to staffing and funding their own police departments.
The new contract increases the hourly rate to $42.23, up $1.28 from the previous rate.
The hours of law enforcement time range from 10 hours in Humboldt to 154 hours in Dell Rapids.
Election canvas
Republican incumbent county commissioner Dean Karsky won top honors in the Tuesday, Nov. 5 General Election tallying 44,267 votes, according to information presented at the official county vote canvas on Friday, Nov. 8.
Republican challenger Cole Heisey also earned a seat on the commission next year, garnering 43,473 votes.
Also running, Independent Anny Libengood finished third with 28,346 votes.
Commissioner Jean Bender did not run for re-election, and her term will end next month.
County auditor Leah Anderson gave the complete run-down on vote totals during the canvas when commissioners went through the numbers to verify numbers.
Commissioners and audience members applauded the work of everyone in the auditor’s office, as well as all of the poll workers and tabulators, for running a very successful election.
Anderson reported that the entire process took a total of 33 hours.
She further said that there was an almost 70% voter turn-out in the county, with 66,000 votes coming in on election day.
Prior to that, 28,700 voters cast ballots early.
From here, commissioners and Anderson drew for precincts and races that will be audited on Nov. 21.
South Dakota state law requires that at least five percent of the votes are hand counted in a post-election audit.
While Anderson had a 100% audit done aft er the June primaries, this time she wanted to stay with what the state required, as the county is only reimbursed for the lower 5%.
The next meeting of the county commission will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, in the third-floor meeting room of the Minnehaha County Administration Building at 6th and Minnesota in Sioux Falls.
