Huron commissioners hear department updates; solid waste lists yard-waste, Veterans Day schedule
November 03, 2025 | Huron, Beadle County, South Dakota
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Commissioner Brian Smith provided a broad update on public works functions, staffing and projects, and Commissioner Klute announced solid waste service schedule changes related to yard-waste pickups and Veterans Day.
Commissioner Klute told the commission that green yard-waste containers will be picked up this week, will not be picked up the following week, and that a final pickup week is scheduled for Nov. 17–20. The solid waste rubble site will be closed on Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11; Tuesday collection routes will be completed on Wednesday, Nov. 12; and there will be no yard-waste collection during the week of Nov. 10–14. Residents were given a contact number for the Solid Waste Department: 353-8542.
In a longer departmental presentation, Commissioner Brian Smith said the engineering department currently has four staff members, noted a vacancy and identified Brett Runge as city engineer. Smith said assistant engineer Dennis Bennett retired after 22 years of service and that interviews to fill the vacancy are planned within the next month. He described the department's responsibilities as reviewing development and drainage plans, performing on-site inspections and posting requests for proposals for city work and equipment.
Smith described the street department, led by superintendent Bob Simpson, as responsible for pothole repair, chip sealing, alley maintenance, post-utility repairs and snow removal; he praised the department's responsiveness to snow events and noted its role supporting other city departments with heavy equipment.
Smith said Doug Pietz, director of the Huron Community Campus, has helped the campus grow by partnering with neighboring colleges and private businesses; courses continue to be offered at $45 per credit hour with support from the Huron University Foundation and include pathways from associate's to some master's level offerings in select fields.
On technology, Smith thanked Chad Borgen and Nick in the information-technology department, saying two staffers handle cybersecurity, camera systems and broad technical support. He also highlighted Brenda Jager's management of the event center and noted a request for proposals is under review for the food-and-beverage concessionaire (current contract: Top 4 Events).
Smith closed by thanking staff and asking other commissioners to present departmental updates at future meetings.
Commissioner Klute told the commission that green yard-waste containers will be picked up this week, will not be picked up the following week, and that a final pickup week is scheduled for Nov. 17–20. The solid waste rubble site will be closed on Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11; Tuesday collection routes will be completed on Wednesday, Nov. 12; and there will be no yard-waste collection during the week of Nov. 10–14. Residents were given a contact number for the Solid Waste Department: 353-8542.
In a longer departmental presentation, Commissioner Brian Smith said the engineering department currently has four staff members, noted a vacancy and identified Brett Runge as city engineer. Smith said assistant engineer Dennis Bennett retired after 22 years of service and that interviews to fill the vacancy are planned within the next month. He described the department's responsibilities as reviewing development and drainage plans, performing on-site inspections and posting requests for proposals for city work and equipment.
Smith described the street department, led by superintendent Bob Simpson, as responsible for pothole repair, chip sealing, alley maintenance, post-utility repairs and snow removal; he praised the department's responsiveness to snow events and noted its role supporting other city departments with heavy equipment.
Smith said Doug Pietz, director of the Huron Community Campus, has helped the campus grow by partnering with neighboring colleges and private businesses; courses continue to be offered at $45 per credit hour with support from the Huron University Foundation and include pathways from associate's to some master's level offerings in select fields.
On technology, Smith thanked Chad Borgen and Nick in the information-technology department, saying two staffers handle cybersecurity, camera systems and broad technical support. He also highlighted Brenda Jager's management of the event center and noted a request for proposals is under review for the food-and-beverage concessionaire (current contract: Top 4 Events).
Smith closed by thanking staff and asking other commissioners to present departmental updates at future meetings.
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