Yankton Commission approves 2026 budget after debate over Thrive funding

The Yankton City Commission approved the fiscal year 2026 budget on a roll-call vote after extended discussion over funding for Thrive, a local nonprofit partnership, and after two proposed changes to Thrives allocation failed.

Commissioners debated whether to reduce Thrives allocation during consideration of the budget. Commissioner Nancy (name provided in the transcript only as Nancy) told colleagues their “first responsibility is to the citizens of Yankton,” saying the city should prioritize services for residents over Thrives budget. "The citizens come first," she said. "Its baffling that people are more worried about Thrive and how they're doing than how the citizens are."

City Manager (unnamed) told the commission the budget ordinance can be amended and that outside agencies can be reassessed, but noted some mechanical and accounting questions would need to be worked out, including which fund would pay for any transfers and that Meals on Wheels currently has no city allocation. The manager also said the city and county share building operating expenses for the center "50/50" and that programming has typically been handled by the center.

Two proposals to change Thrives funding were considered. An amendment (roll-call recorded) failed when the nays prevailed; the transcript shows Commissioners Mosher, Spencer and Benson voting No on that amendment, Birch abstaining, Brunick and Sarta voting No, while Conkling and Hanoff voted Yes and Mayor Villanueva voted Nay. Later, Commissioner Brunick moved to approve the budget while deducting seven commission membership amounts (approximately $840 total) from Thrives requested funding so commissioners could have membership access to Thrive minutes; that motion died for lack of a second. After further discussion, the original motion to approve the budget as presented (moved by Commissioner Mosher) passed on roll call.

Following approval of the budget as presented, the commission moved and passed Resolution No. 25-3 adopting the 2026 fiscal year budget and directing the city manager to administer it as required by state law.

The debate included concerns about broader service needs: Commissioner Nancy and others said declining sales and property tax revenue meant the city should protect core services such as Yankton Transit and Meals on Wheels. Other commissioners argued Thrive is a unique partnership that can "make our pie bigger" by bringing in additional resources and should remain funded at or near past levels.

No executive action on Thrive funding beyond the adopted budget was taken at the meeting. The commission adjourned into an executive session on contractual matters at the end of the regular meeting.

Votes at a glance: the initial amendment to change Thrive funding failed (roll-call recorded in transcript); a later amendment by Commissioner Brunick died for lack of a second; the original budget motion passed; Resolution No. 25-3 adopting the FY2026 budget passed by roll call.

The commission also discussed procedural issues, with one commissioner requesting that all commissioners have access to Thrive minutes and related documents before future decisions.

The commission moved into executive session at the meetings close to discuss contractual matters; no action was taken in the executive session.