GOVERNMENT

Sen. Johnson announced $3.1M in development grants

PIERRE (AP) — Sen. Tim Johnson says the U.S. Treasury Department has awarded a total of $3.1 million in grants to eight South Dakota financial institutions that promote development in low-income areas.

August 08, 2012

Davison commission to discuss hail damage, Central Electric site

The Davison County commissioners will review the latest Puetz Corp. floor plan for the Central Electric Building when they meet in regular session at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the courthouse, 200 East Fourth Ave., Mitchell.

By Staff reports , July 09, 2012

Gov. Daugaard announces initiative to improve SD government

Gov. Dennis Daugaard on Monday announced a “Better Government” state initiative designed to cut red tape, make state government more open and bolster e-government.

By Staff reports , September 13, 2011

Mitchell city budget hearings slated for next week

The Mitchell City Council will take a look at the 2010 city budget during hearings set for next week.

By Tom Lawrence , August 13, 2011

FAA to partially shut down at midnight amid partisan dispute

The Federal Aviation Administration is hours away from a partial shutdown that will put nearly 4,000 people out of work temporarily and suspend federal airline ticket taxes.

July 22, 2011

Governor’s Internship Applications Accepted For This Fall

PIERRE – Gov. Dennis Daugaard is currently accepting applications for two Governor’s Office Internships this fall in Pierre.

May 24, 2011

Parkston man pitted vs. city in openness complaint

The South Dakota Open Meetings Commission decided Thursday to postpone consideration of a Parkston complaint pending the resolution of a lawsuit against the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission. Jim Weiss, Parkston resident and former planning and zoning administrator, filed three counts in a civil lawsuit and a complaint with the Open Meetings Commission against the city regarding open-meeting laws. He claims the city Planning and Zoning Commission broke open-meeting laws on Feb. 11, 2010, and Nov. 9, 2010.

By Anna Jauhola , April 22, 2011

Owners of commercial properties seek lower valuations

Commercial landowners made up the largest group contesting 2011 property valuations at the courthouse Tuesday before the Davison County Board of Equalization at the courthouse in Mitchell. Several got relief from high assessments by proving that the income from their properties didn’t justify 2011’s higher assessed values.

By Ross Dolan , April 20, 2011

Official endorses special rules if Bear Butte oilfield OK'd

South Dakota’s historic preservation director has sent formal recommendations to the state Board of Minerals and Environment that would reduce or offset the visual impacts of an oilfield in development less than two miles from Bear Butte. Those recommendations and comments from Jason Haug will be considered Thursday, when the state board holds a public hearing, followed by a formal contested case hearing, in Pierre on how or even whether the controversial project should be allowed to proceed.

By Bob Mercer , April 20, 2011

Opinion: Let us count the ways state treasury turned so red

There are many explanations why South Dakota’s state government wound up in such a deep budget hole that 10 percent cuts became necessary. Let’s look at four programs, added in the past 15 years, that gradually grew to more than $20 million annually in additional spending, without any new sources to support them. None was previously necessary, until a governor and legislators said so. Yet every one of them now seems to be politically untouchable: Subsidies to ethanol plants, bigger retirement benefits for public employees, college scholarships and financial paybacks to big business projects.

By Bob Mercer , April 18, 2011

Council will review plan for docks on city lake

A proposal to allow local residents who don’t own land along Lake Mitchell to place docks in the lake will come before the Mitchell City Council tonight. The idea was first floated during a meeting of the Lake Mitchell Advisory Committee Tuesday. At the time, committee members said they wanted input from City Attorney Randy Stiles before taking any action on it and said it was several months away from being taken to the City Council.

By Tom Lawrence , April 18, 2011

City manager petitions to be circulated

A local group will seek to collect 2,000 signatures in the next two weeks to place the question of hiring a city manager on the June 7 ballot. Councilman Scott Houwman announced the petition drive during Monday night’s Mitchell City Council meeting at City Hall. “I think it’s a good idea to even have this election,” Houwman said. After the meeting, he said “at least 50 people” will collect signatures, and he obtained signatures from some members of the council. Nearly 1,500 names are required to place it on the ballot.

By Tom Lawrence , April 05, 2011

State's budget concerns continue

The Legislature will need to find at least $39 million in additional general revenue to balance state government’s 2012 budget that starts next July 1, if no cuts are made, no programs are added and no pay raises are given. Another $37 million of deficit would remain to be addressed for the 2013 budget.

By Bob Mercer , November 13, 2010

City manager debate isn't new; Robbie-led plan was rejected in '48

The current discussion about altering Mitchell’s form of government is nothing new. A spirited local debate on the concept was held in early 1948, with proponents calling for the hiring of a city manager and the changing of the city’s government structure. Rival committees were formed, forums and debates were held and press releases were issued.

By Tom Lawrence , June 26, 2010