Commission approves weekly bills after moving item from consent agenda; members and public question association dues

Minnehaha County commissioners pulled the ‘bills to be paid’ item from the consent agenda for separate discussion and then approved the bills after hearing public comment and staff explanations about association memberships.

Gary Meyer, a member of the public, questioned two line items that had prompted his request: about $48,000 to the South Dakota Association of County Commissioners (SDACC) and about $14,385 for three memberships to the South Dakota Association of County Officials (line-item amounts as read during the meeting). Meyer asked how the county benefits from the memberships and whether the public can see the associations’ budgets.

Tom Greco, the commission administrative officer, addressed the commission and the public. He said roughly $44,000 of the larger amount goes to SDACC and an additional roughly $4,000 goes to SDACC for NACO (National Association of Counties) membership. Greco explained SDACC’s roles in legislative advocacy (including work on county-funding studies), research, monthly webinars, training and networking, and that SDACC employs lobbyists and produces research used by counties. He described NACO membership as providing additional access to national research materials and networking.

Commissioners and members of the public discussed who attends association meetings and who benefits from training and advocacy. Greco encouraged the public to review SDACC materials online and said membership budgets and information are available on the association website.

After discussion, a motion to approve the bills was seconded and carried on a roll call vote. The commission recorded the approval; no staff action to void or change the memberships was taken at that meeting.