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Veterans cemetery plans columbarium expansion; department to seek $1.5M federal grant tied to Senate Bill 52
Summary
Department of Veterans Affairs officials told a legislative committee they plan to apply for a federal cemetery grant to add three columbariums, will request the 10% state match in an FY25 amendment, and are requesting two additional cemetery maintenance FTEs for headstone placement and upkeep.
The South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs told a legislative committee it plans to apply for a $1.5 million federal grant to expand the state veterans cemetery and to add three additional columbariums.
Aaron Pollard, deputy secretary for the Department of Veterans Affairs, said the cemetery’s current columbarium is “likely gonna be full in less than five years,” and the department intends to file a federal grant for expansion. The department is requesting FY25 amendment authority of $75,000 in general funds and $75,000 in other fund authority to provide the 10% state match necessary for a cemetery grant expansion application.
The department also tied the request to a legislative vehicle, saying Senate Bill 52 is associated with the grant request in the materials presented to the committee.
Staffing and operations For FY26 the department requested $115,000 in other fund authority to add two full-time-equivalent positions at the cemetery. The positions are described as grounds‑maintenance roles whose primary responsibilities will include headstone placement and ongoing headstone maintenance; the grounds crew also participate in burial operations.
Why it matters Pollard said the expansion is driven by utilization: without additional columbariums, the department expects capacity constraints within a few years. The grant would be federal spending authority; the department told the committee it plans to provide the statutorily required state match if the committee and legislature approve the amendment and future appropriation steps.
What was not decided The committee did not vote on the grant match amendment or the FY26 FTE request during the briefing. Questions from committee members were brief and the department closed the cemetery portion of its presentation and left the room to other agency briefs.
Ending Committee materials flagged Senate Bill 52 as “tied to this request.” The department said it will proceed with the grant application process and seek legislative approval of any required state match and authority as part of the normal appropriation process.
