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Commissioner criticizes Justice Center costs; board moves to executive session
Summary
Commissioner Putnam sharply criticized the county's Justice Center project as overbuilt and costly, comparing it to courthouses in neighboring counties; commissioners exchanged rebuttals and the board voted to enter executive session under SDCL 1‑25‑2 subds. 3 and 4.
A heated discussion over the county's Justice Center unfolded after Commissioner Putnam raised comparisons to recent courthouse projects in neighboring counties and questioned the size and cost of Lincoln County's facility.
Commissioner Putnam criticized the project repeatedly, questioning who approved the larger building and calling it a "travesty" for taxpayers; he urged a review of decisions and long‑term debt impacts. Other commissioners and the chair responded with context about prior court engagement with the county and per‑capita comparisons. One commissioner noted Turner County's population and per‑taxpayer spending, saying the neighboring county's population is "just over 9,000 people," and argued Lincoln County's per‑capita bond cost would be lower given its population. The exchange escalated and, following a request citing SDCL, the board voted to convene an executive session under SDCL 1‑25‑2 subds. 3 and 4. The public meeting adjourned afterward; no public vote on altering the Justice Center project took place in open session.
