Yankton commission adopts 2026 budget after heated debate over Thrive funding and record access

The Yankton City Commission adopted the city's 2026 budget and directed the city manager to administer it after lengthy debate over funding for Yankton Thrive and access to the nonprofit's records.

The 2026 budget ordinance and the separate resolution directing administration of the adopted budget were approved in separate votes at the Sept. 8 meeting. Commissioners voted on the ordinance and, after a final roll call on the companion resolution (Resolution No. 25-3), approved the budget by recorded unanimous vote.

Commissioners spent more than two hours on the budget item, with the most contentious discussion focused on a $460,000 annual appropriation to Yankton Thrive, the city's economic development and tourism partner. Commissioner Conkling proposed an amendment conditioning the Thrive appropriation on the nonprofit posting board minutes on its website and publishing public project bids in the newspaper so any business could bid. "If you're getting taxpayer money, you should be transparent on what you're doing for your business and how it's being spent," Conkling said.

Nancy, a representative of Thrive, defended the organization's practices and described its activities and financials in…