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Residents urge full library funding as county, Rapid City negotiate contract and reserves
Summary
A public commenter pressed Pennington County commissioners to restore full library funding for 2026; county staff say they are negotiating annual contract language with Rapid City and smaller libraries and will return with a proposal Dec. 16 after clarifying which parcels pay the library levy and how reserves should be used.
Chair Ron Wifenbach opened the county meeting Dec. 2 with routine business before hearing public comment and later scheduling a detailed conversation about library contracts and funding.
“I am again coming today to request that you fund the library in full for 2026,” Sarah Polley told the board during the public-comment period, criticizing a social-media post by the chair that publicized library staff salaries and saying she would keep attending meetings until the issue is resolved.
County staff told commissioners they have held a series of constructive meetings with Rapid City Public Library and several smaller, rural libraries (Hill City, Keystone,…
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