Sioux Falls council elects Rich McCurras as chair; vice chair and committee chairs also chosen

The Sioux Falls City Council elected its leadership for the coming year Tuesday, choosing Councilor Rich McCurras as council chair by unanimous vote and naming a vice chair and audit committee chair.

Nominations were opened after the mayor returned the gavel. Councilor Bassey nominated Councilor McCurras for chair; Councilor Cole seconded the nomination. McCurras accepted the nomination and said he would work to “coordinate and communicate among the council.” A roll‑call vote returned an 8-0 affirmative result.

For vice chair, councilors nominated Councilor Sigurdi (recorded in the meeting as the nominee). Supporters gave brief remarks citing the nominee’s organizational skills and diligence. The council elected the vice chair by unanimous roll call. Councilor Barranco was nominated and elected audit committee chair; Barranco noted recent audit results and savings achieved by the internal audit and budget teams.

The nomination process included an opportunity for public input; two speakers used that time to raise concerns about open meetings compliance, neighborhood code enforcement and the conduct of elected officials. One commenter gave a prepared remark about the Dunning–Kruger cognitive bias and urged councilors to ask questions when they lack expertise. Another commenter criticized meeting procedure and said they are prepared to file open‑meetings complaints and pursue code enforcement in neighborhood areas, and indicated an intent to run for office. The remarks were delivered during the public‑input portions that the council made available for nominations and general comment.

Council leadership positions and committee chairs are effective immediately; the council will continue its business under the newly elected chair and vice chair.