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Canton commission adopts 2026 fee schedule, raises HSA contribution, sets election date; tables residency pay
Summary
The Canton City Commission approved the 2026 fee schedule, increased the city HSA contribution, set the city election for Nov. 3, 2026, and approved several routine items including surplus of a ballistic vest and a raffle permit. A proposed in-town residency pay increase was tabled for further study.
The Canton City Commission handled a slate of administrative items after public comment, approving the 2026 fee schedule, an increase to city contributions to employee HSAs, an election date and several routine permits and surplus items while tabling a proposed one-time in-town residency pay increase.
On the fee schedule, staff presented proposed 2026 charges (effective Jan. 1, 2026) and explained that criminal fines remain listed in ordinance rather than the fee schedule. A motion to adopt the 2026 fee schedule passed by roll call with all listed commissioners voting "Aye." "Motion to approve the $20.26 fee schedule," a commissioner said, and the roll call recorded the passage.
The commission next voted to increase the city HSA contribution for employees. Staff described the existing contribution as approximately $25.36 per pay period and recommended increasing it to $36.85; the motion to adopt that increase passed (recorded roll call: York Aye; Garbers No; Figgers Aye; Carlson Aye; Mary Lundstrom Aye).
The commission set the city election date to Nov. 3, 2026, following staff advice that consolidating with the November general election typically produces better turnout and a more balanced partisan turnout. Petition pickup was set to begin July 3, 2026, with a filing deadline of Aug. 25, 2026.
Other approved items included surplus of a 2022 ballistic vest purchased for $935 (current depreciated value recorded as $349.29) to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, approval of a fundraising raffle for the Canton wrestling club (ticket prices and sales window were recorded) and authorization of an SDDOT/FAA-related amendment for airport project 346007-17-2024. A motion to enter executive session at the end of the agenda was carried by roll call.
A motion to increase in-town residency pay — proposed as a one-time step increase for employees living within city limits — was discussed but tabled after commissioners raised questions about fiscal impact and public notice for a related one-month water-bill credit proposed during debate. The clerk and finance staff were directed to return with detailed fiscal analysis and appropriate public-notice steps before reconsideration.
What happens next: Staff will publish the 2026 fee schedule and implement the HSA contribution change on the payroll schedule; the in-town residency pay issue will return after additional fiscal analysis and public notice.
