[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6493788,"mediaKeyId","5448157-2e04b2e33dfb0026ecd6d2df11d8d6ec","parentId",5448157,"title","Hot Springs, Fall River County spar over steep proposed increase to dispatch contribution","audioSeconds",3819,"startMs",1281000,"endMs",5100000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448157-2e04b2e33dfb0026ecd6d2df11d8d6ec&start=1281&end=5100","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448157-2e04b2e33dfb0026ecd6d2df11d8d6ec/thumbnail_1281000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6493788/Hot-Springs/Fall-River-County/South-Dakota/Hot-Springs-Fall-River-County-spar-over-steep-proposed-increase-to-dispatch-contribution","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493788-7dee988fb5d3e3de91d46bf20aa0f79b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078372&Signature=mZ6il05fT2zVIZ~Mqws7QXZyHTvFQDGbZRZpUn5YPJZpeTpV7T~BYJCZQ9j4hRGMPveYGfjMXFQqFRB6sj34km9bcFSx79QuC4BMDqdfSlDXppLe-gZFD1xLyciTrN8tWvTL4hzofxYQgbca1XYhY6-sECuFWXvGtIqMAztdjp2rqoh0kV9uWog1pi40n~0UDASPDwCa9lJdxXlkNs4uc3GGx8M3P~zrJljh9E52eoheoSubHkfLlcRvHsCWars7sBPWzmhjs-Evta80fyUp9oazh-X4sIz1tS2ywJrhD2M5aKzeLp9jXAUW3Xl-rzLZSh2sz-HnAIb~yJ5uksYjAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hot Springs, South Dakota","date","2025-07-22T23:30:38.323Z","article","Hot Springs City Council and Fall River County officials spent the meeting discussing a multi-year dispute over how much the city should contribute to the county-run dispatch center. County officials said the city’s share must rise sharply; city leaders said the requested increase is too rapid and raised questions about credits for 9-1-1 surcharges and long-term budget impacts.

The county presented historical figures showing the city’s contribution remained $55,000 from about 2002 through 2022, rose to $82,500 in 2023 and to $102,500 in 2024. County presenters said their total dispatch budget grew from roughly $151,667 in 2002 to about $492,160 in 2024 and that, on a percentage basis, the city’s contribution fell from roughly 36.25% of the budget in 2002 to about 20.8% in 2024. County officials proposed a 30% increase over the city’s current $102,500 — an additional $30,750 — bringing the city’s proposed contribution to $133,250 for the next budget year.

“The city is using roughly half of our dispatch workload; we believe the fair share is higher than what you are paying now,” said Sheriff Norton, summarizing the county’s position and the call-volume analysis. County staff presented an 11-year call-for-service analysis they said showed calls split roughly 50/50 between city and county jurisdictions.

City council members pushed back, noting Hot Springs already sends significant tax revenue to the county and that the city receives monthly 9-1-1 surcharge funds that should be credited. Council members also questioned operational and capital costs behind the county’s figures, including a roughly $275,000 set of upgrades the county reported it made to dispatch last year (new Zetron equipment, antennas, relocation and furnishings). City members asked how long the new systems are expected to last and whether the county has set aside recurring funds for future upgrade cycles.

County representatives acknowledged the large recent increases and said the county did not seek to raise the city’s share overnight beyond what they view as reasonable; they said the current 30% request was a compromise from a higher percentage the county could have requested. County staff also said some revenue streams the county collects (for example, contract revenue and some service fees) flow into the county general fund and are not earmarked in their dispatch line item.

Both sides identified personnel and technology as cost drivers. County testimony said the dispatch center still operates with four dispatchers (the staff level before the recent upgrades) and would need additional staffing and equipment to be fully resilient; commissioners said the county plans to set aside money for future system upgrades. City members said staffing and turnover questions — dispatch is a 24/7 operation that county staff described as difficult to recruit for — affect the budget picture and should be part of any long-term agreement.

No formal decision was reached. The council recessed into executive session to continue budget and negotiation planning and instructed staff to follow up with additional data, including a breakdown of equipment versus personnel costs and a clearer accounting of 9-1-1 surcharge receipts and other revenues the county receives that might offset the requested increase.

Actions recorded: discussion-only; no binding motion or vote on the dispatch contribution was made at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Hot Springs, SD City Council Meeting July 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Hot Springs City Council and Fall River County officials discussed a proposed 30% increase in the city’s contribution to the county dispatch budget at the July meeting; no decision was reached.","taxTitle","Hot Springs, Fall River County, South Dakota","taxId",74356,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6493774,"Votes at a glance: council approves zoning change, hangar lease, easement, water-membership and administrative items",5197,1103000,6300000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448157-2e04b2e33dfb0026ecd6d2df11d8d6ec&start=1103&end=6300","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448157-2e04b2e33dfb0026ecd6d2df11d8d6ec/thumbnail_1103000.jpg","/articles/6493774/Hot-Springs/Fall-River-County/South-Dakota/Votes-at-a-glance-council-approves-zoning-change-hangar-lease-easement-water-membership-and-administrative-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493774-ca00ee0f000f8206015ae8e3eca768cc/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078372&Signature=bkuHBkr9dLookg72g4DBbxWaR-pOD-52jCaTc304klIASmRC5TvugQ9OWMVR1yVN0qqRjTdITg0kZEPKAb7TH838AYSffb1wXxP-VUh8nCUb3TaT64Ck2068Y76gq3af9Sk2y9Ex748QSRb8kNhdpZmLGPTyITsgunC7AQxtnSMIptn95X9xGksg~XVD60bPn6MZylKwCn1FxlINyKm~8P2NRv39QbzldcrciQaO6Z-MsRQrL~ra-DsBNGlsUieKmNuJmwYdIY7hcC0588Zv8Dw2Y1GAvxOsDulbNJ1BEFHPuR0OiGQvD-X-kvoP2OFaRfZGXnrxjYHG9T1RGKBAEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hot Springs City Council recorded a series of formal actions at the meeting. Outcomes below reflect motions and roll calls recorded on the transcript.

Ordinances (first readings)
- Ordinance 1267: First reading approved. Title: an ordinance revising Title 9 (General Regulations), Chapter 93 (Fire Prevention and Protection) (sections listed in agenda: 93.01 definitions; 93.03 fire department; 93.04 fires and burning; 93.06; 93.08 storing gun and blasting powder). Roll call recorded: Craig Romy — Yes; Linda Varvel — Yes; J.R. Huddleston — Yes; Deborah Johnston — Yes; Dave Burris — Yes; Randy Graham — Yes; Bill Lukin — Yes. Motion passes.

- Ordinance 1274: First reading approved. Change zoning designation for property at 1829 Minnequita (Moccasin Springs, Lot 1 and 2 of Block 28, Second Minnekata addition) from residential RA to mixed‑use mixed‑1. Roll call recorded in the meeting transcript shows a unanimous voice roll of council members recorded as Yes. Motion passes.

Agreements, leases and easements
- Southern Hills Aviation Hangar Space Lease Agreement: Approved. Lease grants Southern Hills Aviation (SHA) 5,400 square feet of hangar space at $25 per square foot plus $150 per month for utilities. Term: one year with automatic renewal for two additional years. Motion carried by voice vote; mayor and council recorded “Aye.”

- Easement and right-of-way for life of structure (encroachment): Approved. The council authorized the mayor to sign an easement allowing a building that encroaches on Detroit Avenue by approximately seven feet to remain in place for the life of the structure. Motion carried by voice vote.

Memberships and hearings
- Western Dakota Regional Water System: Council approved the Public Works Committee recommendation to join Western Dakota as an associate member (see separate article). Motion carried by voice vote.

Administrative items
- Public hearing set: Council set a public hearing for Aug. 4 at 7:10 p.m. on a retail malt beverage and South Dakota farm wine license application by Whiskey River LLC for 445 N. River St.

- Library Board appointment: Larry Pratt appointed to the Library Board for a three‑year term beginning July 2025 through June 2028.

- Travel/training: Assistant finance officer Ariel Allison approved to attend the Great Plains Governmental Finance Officers Association mini-conference in Sioux Falls.

Additional motions and votes recorded on the transcript included routine procedural approvals and roll-call confirmations. Several items were discussed in detail (notably the dispatch-agreement discussion reported separately) but no further binding actions on those were taken during this meeting.","The Hot Springs City Council approved a slate of ordinances, leases, an easement, membership and administrative items during its July meeting.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6493779,"Southern Hills economic-development group outlines apprenticeships, CoStarters and Habitat handyman program",610,200000,810000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448157-2e04b2e33dfb0026ecd6d2df11d8d6ec&start=200&end=810","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448157-2e04b2e33dfb0026ecd6d2df11d8d6ec/thumbnail_200000.jpg","/articles/6493779/Hot-Springs/Fall-River-County/South-Dakota/Southern-Hills-economic-development-group-outlines-apprenticeships-CoStarters-and-Habitat-handyman-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493779-7331202ace81eda99fdddf65f631d0dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078372&Signature=ah4gmcniIKPBKlvR1bhImESC6VC4D5ivboTRR14nkExwnqXEBWbjeR8GzGMxFSDpoA4rJry9fkvOGwpTVRyQE6os9fb6FLDgnFiLu0vM6u-rI9SgzKDtvHwiDvDJLJVcGB6kmIDk5hueqcYHUyQ5gTAthBVtBjRaW84h2HiIkoJRHCg9dL5ouF7p-igTj1kQE541lGHJ3uxucrDvRxFaWjNO-VYtlFaM0BYNcVK6VVMueZjJGHmrqA11~X9j70Ts5aPptSX7d2OiBdrDCjkCzhlb6aigtixDUl25QTNQ1FhWUPmDtXLaHVRQoqB0PC0Rg15A~LMcyiaqUdPgZLmydQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Andrea, executive director of the Southern Hills Economic Development Corporation (SHEDCO), presented a quarterly report that covered strategic planning, workforce development, business recruitment and community programs.

SHEDCO plans a five-year strategic-planning process this fall with an expected cost of $5,000 to cover a facilitator, surveys and follow-up. Andrea asked for city and county participation in that planning effort.

On workforce development, SHEDCO reported conversations with the state Department of Labor and Veterans Helping Hands to identify seven approved apprenticeships suitable for local veterans: camera operator, construction laborer, chef, carpenter, plumber, welder and mechanic. The organization said it will help match mentors and apprentices and assist with program logistics.

SHEDCO also said a new value-added agricultural manufacturing business plans to locate in the area within the next year and estimates the operation will create roughly 14 to 16 technical jobs. SHEDCO staff described services they provide to developing businesses, including guidance on zoning, regulations, utilities, grant/loan research and workforce training.

On entrepreneurship programming, SHEDCO plans to launch CoStarters facilitation programs targeted to youth entrepreneurs in the school district and a veterans-specific cohort, then open a general public cohort. Finally, Andrea described a new Habitat for Humanity “Handyman” program the board launched; it will allow homeowners to apply for assistance with small projects, capped at $5,000 per household. Andrea said she had contacted Habitat to determine whether funds can be used specifically for property cleanup and planned outreach to elderly residents who may need help applying.

Council members asked logistical questions about eligibility, whether funds could be used for cleanup and how local demand would be assessed. Andrea said the program application is online and that SHEDCO would assist residents with the process when needed.","Southern Hills Economic Development Corporation reported a $5,000 strategic-planning process, apprenticeship partnerships targeting veterans, a new value‑added agricultural manufacturer (14–16 jobs), plans for CoStarters entrepreneurship workshops, and a Habitat handyman pilot with up to $5,000 per household.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6493783,"Hot Springs joins Western Dakota Regional Water System as associate member",1342,5522000,6864000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448157-2e04b2e33dfb0026ecd6d2df11d8d6ec&start=5522&end=6864","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448157-2e04b2e33dfb0026ecd6d2df11d8d6ec/thumbnail_5522000.jpg","/articles/6493783/Hot-Springs/Fall-River-County/South-Dakota/Hot-Springs-joins-Western-Dakota-Regional-Water-System-as-associate-member","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493783-1a9824e838762d556b76414b51316ade/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078372&Signature=fkuQq16ztOLCQUS8vwbpNv5EWzjNxvPB8y7NDbYQg9Oqs7lk-MItfDcpS9YZmfDgktJYkzeE4~eG9hizcu58MtVdD9iuKJyOU5aPDjVtQuZ-mQLXfNNY70uW886qGJUWsKGCvpQgs--L7YDYc7y-aKwEZIc6JTLD5TDqLKlx-jc9-L3YjFCjwPn4eXOoo7auFEiOdqGYu6c7Tf2buSaPzk2nuLvk56viF3j-c8Lt5wnFDHByjHixljJSOsU~SF8y-NGovH3GQ7FDKA20pTNtNdRz8KzbSIY4bRO9AqolQZjIvQmFxSSaa2zi4wBJszBSVLSL8jwuviJIvhE2gOkNrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hot Springs City Council voted to join the Western Dakota Regional Water System as an associate member, agreeing to pay the annual associate fee while a regional feasibility study continues. The council approved the motion after a presentation from Jim Jones of A2S engineering and Western Dakota, who said the project is in a conceptual and feasibility phase and could take two decades to complete in its full form.

Associate membership carries an annual fee of $375, council members were told. Officials said that joining now preserves access to member rates and potential water allocations in the future; the membership does not itself establish a contractual right to future water deliveries. Voting membership and other membership classes carry higher fees and governance rights and can be adopted later. The project — a proposed pipeline and treatment infrastructure to bring Missouri River water into the Black Hills region — is being designed at scale and the group is currently compiling demand, cost and alignment data.

Jim Jones told the council the system’s preliminary treatment-plant sizing under discussion is in the tens of millions of gallons per day to ensure supply under extreme drought scenarios; exact costs, per-unit water rates and timing will depend on how many communities join and how much water they reserve. Council members asked whether joining as an associate member would require any immediate capital contributions; Jones said the feasibility study envisions rates covering capital over time and that associate membership itself carries no large capital obligation.

The motion to join as an associate member passed by voice vote (council “Aye”; no opposition recorded on the roll call). Councilors said associate membership preserves options while keeping upfront costs small, and several members said they would revisit membership class decisions later in the process.","Council approved joining the Western Dakota Regional Water System as an associate member for $375 per year to preserve future access to a planned Missouri River supply; the feasibility study is ongoing and the membership can be upgraded later.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6493769,"Resident urges council to consider racial harms, cites Native American history and personal distress",126,4000,130000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448157-2e04b2e33dfb0026ecd6d2df11d8d6ec&start=4&end=130","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448157-2e04b2e33dfb0026ecd6d2df11d8d6ec/thumbnail_4000.jpg","/articles/6493769/Hot-Springs/Fall-River-County/South-Dakota/Resident-urges-council-to-consider-racial-harms-cites-Native-American-history-and-personal-distress","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493769-d085364e4b765d3eecb0f605db431298/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078372&Signature=g3raIAUjOnTEEw2RYgFaB7skXbHuj8S0j9aNFatjS9XKINQ8DdUMYmdMPaGKU10R-qznR~a2P7xEkltViwIbFOT9jdQ22cbNc24f5BB~hy~HBtSs6lBTGYSSNf-oYeZSoume27d6bkO3ZXsmlROI379E3U5UCtV3Nzatv6xHzkjG-TN841ZCtR~lARMkxe4zCXR7VdtkPm1atwjZReM-L6bqGoHdGAdB0RdFxy19TztmgGDyTQIwhGgq78HDze2I-2cdxfWxSSZqlt2hnP4yZ4gda1SO8meIc3Th1ylSgMjECDP4QRsRsENYNJfomtVaVP1orVDTeRJWSLeJaFmIVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During public comment a Hot Springs resident addressed the council in emotional testimony about racial targeting and the effect on Native people.

The commentator said she feared people were being targeted because of the color of their skin and described having severe PTSD; she asked when the general public was made aware of the issue discussed that night. She referenced historical mistreatment of Native Americans, saying, \"I thought we would have learned from World War II about concentration camps and internment camps... And I thought we would have learned in 1492 what happens to Native Americans in this country. My people were killed to give each and every one of you the right to sit in this center here and sit on council.\" She told council members she was \"standing up for the native community\" and said she supported remarks previously made by a council member named Deb.

Her comments were recorded during the public-comment portion of the meeting and were personal testimony; no formal council action on the matters she raised was recorded that evening.","A public commenter addressed the council about racial targeting and the impact on the Native community, saying she felt threatened and recounting historical injustices; she expressed support for a council member’s remarks and described personal PTSD related to discrimination.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hot Springs, Fall River County spar over steep proposed increase to dispatch contribution

Votes at a glance: council approves zoning change, hangar lease, easement, water-membership and administrative items

Southern Hills economic-development group outlines apprenticeships, CoStarters and Habitat handyman program

Hot Springs joins Western Dakota Regional Water System as associate member

Resident urges council to consider racial harms, cites Native American history and personal distress