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Lincoln County approves 2026 budget after debate over nonprofit grants and line-item changes
Summary
After a public hearing and debate over $188,000 in nonprofit aid and post-publication line-item adjustments of roughly $38,620, the Lincoln County Commission approved the 2026 budget by roll call. Commissioners also debated dues to Sioux Falls-area groups and several proposed amendments failed.
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners approved the county's 2026 budget following a public hearing and extended debate over funding for local nonprofits and several post-publication changes.
During the hearing Auditor Sherry outlined post-publication adjustments totaling about $38,620, including transferring sheriff-surplus vehicles to 4-H in name-only, adding $20,000 for strategic planning and $15,000 for associated travel/mileage in the commission budget, increasing auditor travel to $8,000 and removing a vehicle line from both the auditor and 4-H budgets. Sherry asked the commission to adopt those specific changes.
Commissioner Schmidt moved to approve the auditor's requested changes. The commission took a roll-call vote (Commissioner Arons: No; Otten: Yes; Schmidt: Yes; Putnam: No; Landy: Yes) and approved the adjustments.
A separate debate centered on whether to restore membership dues for three Sioux Falls-area organizations omitted from the published budget (Sioux Falls Development Foundation, Sioux Falls Chamber and Metro Alliance). One commissioner argued restoring the dues was an investment in the county's largest city and its marketing reach; the motion to add the dues failed for lack of a second.
Commissioners and staff also discussed capital and maintenance items. John Rambo confirmed the 4-H event hall (referred to as Gorr Goeman's building) would cost about $50,000 to air-condition; one commissioner proposed removing that $50,000 line and reallocating funds to courthouse HVAC repairs. That motion died for lack of a second.
A broader, more contentious debate involved $188,000 listed under "other economic assistance" for nonprofit and charitable organizations. One commissioner proposed reducing the total to $25,000 and eliminating county funding for named groups including Children's Inn, Helpline Center, Compass Center, Lifescapes and certain payments to Sanford Home Health/VNA. Staff and other commissioners noted statutory obligations that must continue (for example funding to code abilities) and that some programs may be paid from opioid settlement funds. Public commenters, including Linda Montgomery and Scott Montgomery, opposed cutting those grants and argued the county should not unilaterally withdraw support from local social-service providers.
After additional public comment and internal discussion, the commission moved to adopt the budget as presented. On a final roll call the motion carried (votes recorded in the meeting transcript), and the 2026 budget was approved.
The commission recessed to convene as the Drainage Board after adopting the budget and later reconvened as the Board of County Commissioners to complete the agenda.
The next procedural step noted during the hearing was that specific contracts, memo details, and historical agreements referenced (for example a 2011 agreement with Sanford Home Health/VNA) will remain available to commissioners and staff for further clarification.
