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Hot Springs Council approves liquor license, pay-scale increase and several budget adjustments
Summary
The Hot Springs City Council voted to approve a liquor license for Winter Circle Casino 3, raise the top of the pay scale for the fleet mechanic to aid recruitment, and passed several supplemental appropriations and equipment-authorizing measures during its July meeting.
The Hot Springs City Council on July — approved an on-off sale malt beverage and South Dakota farm wine license for CS Inc., doing business as Winter Circle Casino 3 at 733 Jensen Highway, approved a pay-scale increase for the city fleet mechanic to help recruitment, and authorized several supplemental appropriations and equipment contracts.
Mayor Bob Nelson opened a public hearing on the Winter Circle Casino 3 license and heard from the applicants, who identified themselves as Sean and Laurie Wiesler of 733 Jensen Highway. The applicants told the council that state approval is contingent on the city’s action. After closing the hearing, the council voted by voice to approve the license.
In a separate action the council approved Resolution 2026-21 to increase the top of the steps for the fleet mechanic position. City Administrator Ariel Allison said the change will help fill a position that has been vacant since January and that staff will immediately repost the job at the new wage. Finance staff recommended adding the pay adjustment to the 2026 budget to allow immediate hiring.
The council also approved several budget and equipment items: authorization for the golf operations manager to sign a two-year cooler-use and branding agreement with Black Hills Exteriors for Southern Hills Golf Course carts; removal of a $7,164.29 restriction in the HS Capital Improvement Fund and transfer to the additional sales tax capital replacement fund; a supplemental appropriation of $7,100 from general fund balance to the parks machinery and equipment line to complete a planned mower purchase (the mower’s price rose sharply since budgeting); and a $3,700 supplemental appropriation from the Evans Plunge Mineral Springs unrestricted net position to fund security system replacements (camera and recorder upgrades).
Most of the motions were passed on voice votes. Council members discussed budget impacts and whether multiple departments should share wage costs for the mechanic; Finance advised the council that the wage change could be accommodated and recommended immediate approval to aid recruitment.
Votes at a glance: - Winter Circle Casino 3 liquor license (CS Inc.) — Approved (voice vote) - Resolution 2026-21: increase top of steps, fleet mechanic — Approved (voice vote) - Surplus 2019 72-inch mower trade-in (Res. 2026-616) — Approved (voice vote) - Cooler-use and branding agreement with Black Hills Exteriors — Approved (voice vote) - Transfer of $7,164.29 from HS Capital Improvement Fund — Approved (voice vote) - Supplemental appropriation $7,100 for mower (parks equipment) — Approved (voice vote) - Supplemental appropriation $3,700 from EPMS for camera/recorder replacement — Approved (voice vote)
The council’s next budget hearings are scheduled for July 28 and 30; several items approved tonight were noted for incorporation into the 2027 budget planning process.
