Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ordinance 9 54 topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves sewer ordinance after resident raises open‑meeting and metering concerns
Summary
The Dell Rapids City Council approved Ordinance 9-54 on second reading March 2, 2026 after discussion about whether sewer metering and rate-setting belong in an ordinance or a future resolution. A resident argued the committee did not report its findings and cited open‑meeting rules; the ordinance passed on a roll-call vote.
The Dell Rapids City Council voted to approve Ordinance 9-54 (chapter 21, sewer) on second reading at its March 2 meeting after a period of discussion and a public comment raising procedural and technical concerns.
A resident spoke at length before the council questioned the ordinance structure, asserting the committee that reviewed the matter had not reported its findings and that the split between ordinance language and a later resolution could violate open‑meeting rules. The resident said, “You had a full room of people. You didn’t offer it to the public,” and urged the council to treat the matter as a complete ordinance rather than relying on a future resolution for meter-reading and rate details. Council members and staff responded that many municipalities (including guidance from the municipal league) commonly set rates by resolution while including enabling ordinance language in the code. Legal and administrative speakers said establishing rates by resolution is standard municipal practice and that the ordinance before the council authorized the rate-setting resolution.
After discussion the council moved and seconded approval of Ordinance 9-54. The council conducted a roll-call vote during which one member voted no and the remaining responding members voted yes; the motion carried and the ordinance passed on second reading. Council members said staff will include the rate-structure details in the rate resolution to be brought at a future meeting.
