Vermillion council adopts utility code updates, funds Shakespeare Festival shortfall, approves housing authority audit payment and other measures

The Vermillion City Council on May 19 approved multiple routine and substantive items: two ordinance amendments clarifying city rules on resale of utility services and electrical service language were adopted; the council agreed to cover a $4,849 shortfall for the 2025 Shakespeare Festival; it amended the budget to cover increased Vermillion Housing Authority audit costs; the Vermillion Police Department became an affiliate of the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force; council declared Lots 1–13 of the Jolly Addition surplus; and several street-closure permits and other routine items were approved.

Staff briefed the council that ordinance 15-30 (amending resale of utility services language and moving related provisions to general provisions) and ordinance 15-31 (corresponding electricity code language) had no substantive changes since first readings and would require only publication costs on adoption. Both ordinances passed on second reading with recorded tallies of 8 yeas, 0 nays.

On new business the council considered a funding…