Minnehaha County adopts $132.6 million FY2026 budget; approves vehicle, furniture purchases and library legal-research terminals

Minnehaha County commissioners adopted the FY2026 budget on Sept. 23, approving total appropriations (excluding interfund transfers) of just over $132,600,000 and endorsing related procurement and partnership items.

Susan Beeman of the auditor’s office summarized the budget: no additional opt-outs were levied in this cycle, seven new positions (all public safety or justice-related) were included, and the combined levy for the county’s general, building and bond funds is 2.933. Beeman said roughly 58% of the county’s total revenue comes from property taxes and noted public safety and justice costs have risen about 50% in the general fund since 2021.

On procurement matters tied to the approved operating plan, Jacob Marsh of the highway department requested authorization to purchase a 2026 Ford F-150 for $50,126 under the South Dakota Bureau of Administration contract 1760619; the commission approved the purchase as part of the department’s vehicle-replacement plan. The commission also declared specified highway items surplus (a leaking reefer trailer, leftover steel, chainsaws, weed eaters and concrete saws) and authorized disposal via Purple Wave online auction with proceeds to the highway and bridge fund.

Tom Greco, commission administrative officer, presented a furniture purchase for Phase 1 (detention side) of the Juvenile Justice Center: $131,733 to be procured via a state contract with Canfield Business Interiors. Commissioners asked about unit pricing and the state piggyback process; staff said the county regularly piggybacks on state contracts and monitors prices when practical.

Greco also presented a proposed joint powers agreement with the City of Sioux Falls to provide two public terminals at the downtown library with access to Westlaw and Dakota Dis legal-research platforms. The city would provide the computers and network access; the county (courts) would fund program access. Alicia Boysen, the library director, said the terminals will be located on the library’s public floor and will support printing and microfilm research. The commission authorized the chair to sign the agreement.

Commission discussion of the budget acknowledged limited public input to date and emphasized the county’s constrained flexibility amid rising public-safety costs. The commission approved the FY2026 budget and the related procurement and partnership items by roll-call votes.

Votes at a glance (items approved during the meeting): - Adopt FY2026 budget (total appropriations just over $132,600,000) — motion passed on roll call. - Authorize purchase of 2026 Ford F-150 for $50,126 (state contract 1760619) — motion passed. - Declare various highway items surplus and dispose by Purple Wave online auction — motion passed. - Approve purchase of juvenile justice center phase-1 furniture for $131,733 (Canfield via state contract) — motion passed. - Authorize chair to sign joint powers agreement with City of Sioux Falls for two public legal-research terminals (Westlaw and Dakota Dis) — motion passed.