[{"_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",5977425,"mediaKeyId","5855643-c87429eb7ce8e02f1b29f96fde400203","parentId",5855643,"title","Commissioners trim several outside agency requests, require bylaws or direct applications from others","audioSeconds",2016,"startMs",1109000,"endMs",3125000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5855643-c87429eb7ce8e02f1b29f96fde400203&start=1109&end=3125","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5855643-c87429eb7ce8e02f1b29f96fde400203/thumbnail_1109000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5977425/Pennington-County/South-Dakota/Commissioners-trim-several-outside-agency-requests-require-bylaws-or-direct-applications-from-others","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5977425-1ee39e21e5f2889b0560e9bf640f651c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775112307&Signature=bC6CSLMg-FCb4hoN4xdYycGb~5DAHnHYIGvOHJuSyvpPaNFmio5qubQQ3BjRairEB7pU4BXfFCWLg5hzMCvhikcgom0NXymZt6QJiPes1gpM~V4fZoPgUkF-Em0FxqqVpBc9vfTZ6sxKI3XNzL~5VXY829kSBTZ3pmHRz~19CLZDS2TBWa3U8t2Qf5nOAAXnPfbXaZiA9BpsDmtSEKH2LNvQNbLrdBH6OZgcQtVObzSwSVX0EBjSlWVIiP6y7YUraqDM~HuiXnaZMrE52EItTuCADFlgPacBc8ycKW1clggtJnlSnKThCPBBJD4Oj066AZbZeCo5wCWQGiYhemaylw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pennington County, SD","date","2025-09-22T16:25:02Z","article","Pennington County commissioners made several funding decisions Sept. 19 for non‑mandated outside agencies as they finalized the FY2026 provisional budget. The board said it will press organizations that receive county money to document needs directly and sign agreements to clarify accountability.

Key decisions taken during the unmandated items review:
- Humane Society of the Black Hills: The board approved a reduced payment set at $137,000 for 2026 (the board had previously programmed $166,000). Commissioners discussed requesting a voting seat on the Humane Society board and requiring a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) as conditions for additional funding in future years. Officials agreed the county will renegotiate the contract if a different amount is desired and may use contingency to bridge shortfalls this year.

- Complete Health: Commissioners reduced the county’s discretionary support to $100,000 for FY2026 after hearing that Complete Health’s overall annual budget exceeds $12 million and that the county already covers a portion of indigent medical costs. Several commissioners said the county must prioritize mandated services and suggested tapering outside support over a multi‑year plan.

- WAVI (Working Against Violence, Inc.): The board voted to fund domestic violence services at the statutory amount derived from court fee collections, $44,500, and to remove prior supplementary amounts the sheriff’s office and state’s attorney had been allocating from their own budgets. Commissioners said they would not authorize extra county support beyond the mandated funding line without separate approvals.

- Pennington County Council on Aging: After prolonged debate about duplicated funding and missing bylaws/MOUs, the board voted to remove the organization’s FY2026 county allocation and to require the council to present signed bylaws and a procedural checklist if it seeks county funds in future. Commissioners directed staff to draft a formal process so external entities apply directly to the board with transparent documentation; contingency could be used for urgent one‑time requests.

- West River Mental Health and pivot‑point services: Commissioners kept funding levels but asked buildings and grounds and county staff to quantify the county’s facilities costs (maintenance, depreciation) and to look for better cost‑sharing with other counties and the state. The board reiterated that West River provides regional services that avoid more costly out‑of‑county hospitalizations.

Several commissioners emphasized that county support should prioritize mandated services and that non‑mandated grants should not duplicate city or other funding streams. Commissioners directed county staff to prepare MOUs or contract language for organizations seeking increased funding in future years.

The board’s votes also included procedural directions: several reductions were passed by motion; staff were directed to send formal letters to affected organizations explaining the revised funding and conditions and to prepare a checklist and MOU template for future requests.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","9-19-2025 Pennington County Board of Commissioners Special Meeting - Budget Hearing FY2026","oneSentenceSummary","The Pennington County Board of Commissioners trimmed discretionary funding for several outside agencies Sept. 19 and directed county staff to require bylaws or direct applications before restoring or increasing support.","taxTitle","Pennington County, South Dakota","taxId",2745,"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},5977430,"Pennington County moves employee step increases to anniversary month, keeps 2.9% COLA",204,726000,930000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5855643-c87429eb7ce8e02f1b29f96fde400203&start=726&end=930","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5855643-c87429eb7ce8e02f1b29f96fde400203/thumbnail_726000.jpg","/articles/5977430/Pennington-County/South-Dakota/Pennington-County-moves-employee-step-increases-to-anniversary-month-keeps-29-COLA","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5977430-1478d765aa0069c40c8685274d8c7f41/orig.mp4?Expires=1775112307&Signature=T7QfKGYb6byHYieUephNeZc5siyhNAZ5tM4w874pOzV0ST7qEY-Ql~GutajYazkzoRTX3lMjZEX4tdyNA32FNesAimM-6NuJQuVswdoS4TtTscjHSYfJeJLdBn4wRavtg9VS9CPHzlrEO6u7usWISpp0lNnxoE6u8X5Wj5OEQW8brEFDDZ~eVAr-KRmgU8VfXYuUra2A3ykPKg8tvabgZELaxHcQF0ZidntLAyYj9W1iwWhiHfzGbk5qkXujbgHnMFwSPXKl2qe6PNWmE7LDk1EqlpORWo2hI~EZ64CWD4JLUm~OWXxzAIoRM1GMeLt~C82-j7KL3hkQQqwI9ZbcIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pennington County commissioners voted Sept. 19 to pay employee step increases on each worker’s anniversary month instead of on Jan. 1, while keeping a previously approved 2.9% cost‑of‑living adjustment. The board said the move will smooth budget timing and reduce short‑term cash pressure while preserving the COLA adopted earlier in the budget process.

The change follows discussion of personnel cost timing after commissioners reviewed the FY2026 provisional budget and the cost of applying step increases across hundreds of employees. County staff presented alternatives that showed moving step payments to anniversary months reduced the immediate-year payroll cost by about $311,000 compared with applying them on Jan. 1.

Commissioners said the anniversary‑month approach gives department heads authority over the timing of a step in relation to employee performance and reduces compression created when many employees receive increases simultaneously. County staff confirmed the step payments will continue to be conditioned on the existing performance‑review process: the first pay period in the anniversary month will be used to implement the step increase, subject to a positive performance review being on file.

The board did not change the 2.9% COLA previously built into the FY2026 provisional budget. Staff noted that insurance renewals and other personnel line items remain under review and will be finalized when the board adopts the final budget.

Implementation details: payroll was directed to apply increases in the first pay period of each employee’s anniversary month; department heads retain responsibility for performance reviews that trigger steps.","The Pennington County Board of Commissioners voted to pay step increases on employees' anniversary month rather than on Jan. 1, while retaining the previously approved 2.9% cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA). The change will lower near‑term budget pressure but shifts timing of payroll adjustments.",{"_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},5977409,"Commissioners accept property‑valuation growth, bank CPI and set benefits and contingency figures",2460,7200000,9660000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5855643-c87429eb7ce8e02f1b29f96fde400203&start=7200&end=9660","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5855643-c87429eb7ce8e02f1b29f96fde400203/thumbnail_7200000.jpg","/articles/5977409/Pennington-County/South-Dakota/Commissioners-accept-propertyvaluation-growth-bank-CPI-and-set-benefits-and-contingency-figures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5977409-f18e7af14676f1694c61c0b1ae5294d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775112307&Signature=FzIMMNy6tjkGqu67w0wMEkZCe66R4~jY4TzUvbvfQBpwzcNUg91GarKR3F3er7DQirvHeTriFzhxOa8Y9seWrWHpImU~n9TpslDaA2UdVa2vNTj8cTQTBU~qL76KNLKAD8Uh0BqaxjdN~ojIe~Quxrf2L55OwzChLUL8a4z77NHEmYSsJfd-ihYqUx3idfoVsSlFWWqnhFfxZbFbjnar9ASOT2YaBNafsKe2MWSsTnughxYp1tYBE-zIg1BzOoN~JvS1KKRkjEA1nqwOizkq28MpNc5VsAPsMXpDXWfh3kb2-RkcoTE7cA~eRtrkut-WoUkmT5wGed7baY6s3nPfMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pennington County commissioners on Sept. 19 voted to include projected property valuation growth in the FY2026 provisional budget while deferring (\"banking\") the 2.9% cost‑of‑living factor (CPI) for later consideration. The board also established staffing and benefits assumptions and raised contingency to provide budget flexibility.

Key fiscal directions approved:
- Growth: Staff had estimated approximately $750,000–$800,000 of additional property‑valuation growth for FY2026; the board accepted that growth figure for provisional budgeting purposes.

- CPI (2.9%): Commissioners chose to \"bank\" the 2.9% CPI/COLA amount rather than recognize it immediately as available spending. Banking preserves the growth for up to three years but prevents immediate application to new programs until the board takes a later action.

- Employee insurance assumptions: The board approved funding increases to the county self‑insurance fund to reflect a 2% projected increase in health insurance costs and a 5.4% increase for fully insured dental plans. Commissioners directed staff to proceed with plan‑renewal negotiations and to bring back final plan options; the budget will carry the precautionary funding regardless of later decisions about employer/employee premium splits.

- Contingency: The board raised the general fund contingency from $175,000 to $500,000 to provide a reserve for unanticipated needs during FY2026.

Commissioners said the combined actions aim to preserve flexibility while providing staff an operating envelope for final budget adoption. Staff will return on the scheduled follow‑up meeting with updated numbers that reflect the board's instructions and with final insurance renewal details.","The Pennington County Board accepted projected valuation growth for FY2026, agreed not to use the 2.9% COLA-like 'CPI' increase immediately (to bank it), set employee benefits funding assumptions (2% increase for health insurance and 5.4% for dental), and increased contingency from $175,000 to $500,000.",{"_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},5977415,"Board transfers 11 facilities positions from sheriff to Buildings & Grounds, reassigns $662,679 in personnel cost",150,8000000,8150000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5855643-c87429eb7ce8e02f1b29f96fde400203&start=8000&end=8150","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5855643-c87429eb7ce8e02f1b29f96fde400203/thumbnail_8000000.jpg","/articles/5977415/Pennington-County/South-Dakota/Board-transfers-11-facilities-positions-from-sheriff-to-Buildings-Grounds-reassigns-662679-in-personnel-cost","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5977415-7833cef90489d2ae2535c2e6d8a77593/orig.mp4?Expires=1775112307&Signature=JpciiOLvOXvOeJYioh57PqL56kELDxoSTuavQ1c-mCpG-YoynrFHuVsFnLUBqC6dYKIYv~ckZTjR1Kvyc1B9n51c72H7Kh9k1bdYq2w6l2lWkzZyJ~aJjLRe~sPxOsSDvjdc3TUVHSoVZHMpxZ~VJdt6zOMDCahyA~bJ9-BOSJpwwMoX29Z8~fa9NNQLGIVSVSE1gCg1QlC~e6mk8TtKWYw9zu7zoi8dm4ZWIqn9S-TMeIWSyV~j0a~8LRDiyKLOF8WHJwotpHYpfSGNe3OecOg2WbknYxjtyRb~IhBAXqxOf8wieMR2ziyhWCFMs2pXJZFTNls~NOicEs28a~~tqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pennington County commissioners approved a transfer of 11 full‑time equivalent positions Sept. 19, moving staff who work on county facilities from the sheriff’s office payroll into the Buildings & Grounds budget. County staff said the shift centralizes facility functions under the buildings and grounds director and clarifies responsibility for building maintenance and operations.

The transferred positions include six staff from the jail operation, two from the juvenile detention center, two from the care campus and one position associated with pivot‑point operations; three of those listed positions were vacant at the time of the vote. County finance staff reported the personnel cost associated with the 11 FTEs (pre‑COLA and step adjustments) is $662,679; the board approved the reclassification without net change to total county personnel costs.

Commissioners said consolidating facilities staff under Buildings & Grounds will improve scheduling, maintenance planning and accountability for county buildings, especially as the county refines a five‑year capital and maintenance plan. The board directed payroll and finance to update departmental budgets and to reflect the transfers in the FY2026 provisional budget records.

Davis Purcell, director of Buildings & Grounds, and county finance staff will present the reclassified budgets and any operational impacts to the board at the next follow‑up meeting.","The Pennington County Board of Commissioners approved moving 11 full‑time equivalent positions (previously budgeted in the sheriff’s organization) into the Buildings & Grounds budget. The transfer reclassifies roughly $662,679 of personnel cost to central facilities management.",{"_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},5977420,"Commissioners unassign departmental reserve accumulations, free $315,000 to general fund",695,5270000,5965000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5855643-c87429eb7ce8e02f1b29f96fde400203&start=5270&end=5965","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5855643-c87429eb7ce8e02f1b29f96fde400203/thumbnail_5270000.jpg","/articles/5977420/Pennington-County/South-Dakota/Commissioners-unassign-departmental-reserve-accumulations-free-315000-to-general-fund","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5977420-95197f5a55f4f14329a27cd42817e0c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775112307&Signature=Wpg1I84iYmk1ZLNE6FdJAPvRLP7nQhxpDv4iETkhXXX2lSeSBTH56sSSmHxpV8wS3ZGA-EVRQZwO4hD4YwW3Xe1H2LgSbkwBzTgeUwWg-3iUDcCZqDp8TZOh-6wyDOs0qQ83mK8GHs5UYu1EwicsHgVDmHqBz0af6l6XbI0GCk11sM1U6hQyD0JN6fNwx1fQHRsIh3TFvmGLcEmVOehl7TvzWBWpidKWCixVsLoSg8mDIEiTEVOBweaQTVLbYUiKLTZ8kM8JcJr0kGY3fG67edn6Tzdvj64iVpHAlbh2p9Uv6st6ghBDuZ2yqQpvSg44mtipKG6oMgow70H17xSv7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pennington County commissioners voted Sept. 19 to unassign several reserve accumulations that staff had been holding as departmental set‑asides and to remove three specific department reserves from the FY2026 provisional budget. County staff said the move will consolidate unobligated cash into the general fund and give the board greater transparency when reviewing capital needs and budget supplements.

The board first approved a motion to unassign reserve accumulations that county departments had been tracking off the books; the motion carried with one nay and one abstention. Commissioners debated how to treat multi‑year departmental set‑asides, with some saying the current practice of tracking accumulated reserves outside the formal annual budget made supplemental appropriations harder to review and led to unplanned expenditures.

Following that action, commissioners approved a motion to remove three identified reserve accumulations from departmental budgets and present them as part of the general fund: $70,000 in IT, $145,000 in the jail budget (for a transport bus), and $100,000 in fire. Staff said those amounts would no longer be shown as assigned reserves but would remain part of the county’s cash position and would be considered within the broader capital and operating budget process.

Staff noted this change raises the county’s unassigned general fund balance (on the current provisional numbers) by several percentage points, improving the reported unassigned balance from about 11% toward the board’s stated target range. Commissioners said they expect departments to include planned capital needs explicitly in future annual budgets rather than relying on off‑books reserve accumulations.

As a next step, the board asked staff to provide a five‑year capital plan that aggregates known upcoming capital costs and shows how those items would be funded under different scenarios.","Pennington County commissioners voted to unassign previously earmarked reserve accumulations and to remove three specific departmental reserve lines (IT $70,000; jail bus $145,000; fire $100,000), returning about $315,000 to the general fund reserve position to improve budget flexibility.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners trim several outside agency requests, require bylaws or direct applications from others

Pennington County moves employee step increases to anniversary month, keeps 2.9% COLA

Commissioners accept property‑valuation growth, bank CPI and set benefits and contingency figures

Board transfers 11 facilities positions from sheriff to Buildings & Grounds, reassigns $662,679 in personnel cost

Commissioners unassign departmental reserve accumulations, free $315,000 to general fund