Huron local news summary
Week of October 1 2025
City Commission Approves $40.8 Million Budget for 2026
HMMI Expansion Project Clears Final Hurdles with City Approval
Zoning Rules Eased for Home-Based Businesses
New Downtown Business, “The Vault,” Seeks Liquor License
Tattoo and Piercing Business Gets Green Light from Commission
City Commission Approves $40.8 Million Budget for 2026
HURON - The City Commission gave its final approval Monday to the 2026 annual appropriations ordinance, setting a total budget of $40,896,417. While the plan includes a 2.9% increase in property tax revenue and rate hikes for water (4.5%), sewer (4.2%), and solid waste (5%), the overall budget is 9% lower than the previous year. Finance Director Paullyn Carey attributed the $4 million decrease primarily to the completion of major capital projects, including the downtown revitalization and significant water and sewer upgrades. The budget also finalizes a 3% cost-of-living increase plus a step for union employees.
HMMI Expansion Project Clears Final Hurdles with City Approval
HURON - Horizontal Machining & Manufacturing’s expansion project received its final green light from the commission, which approved two key measures. The first was a plat establishing a 20-foot utility easement in the area of a previously vacated right-of-way, a move that resolves access for all stakeholders, including NorthWestern Energy. The commission then passed the formal resolution to finalize the street vacation, officially conveying the property to HMMI. One commissioner noted the project's national importance, having overheard conversations about it while traveling out of state.
Zoning Rules Eased for Home-Based Businesses
HURON - The commission approved a second reading of an ordinance that changes the oversight of home-based businesses. The new rule eliminates the need for annual renewals and semi-annual reviews of home occupation permits. Instead, the city will move to a complaint-based system for enforcement. According to city staff, this will reduce the administrative burden on both business owners and the city, allowing officials to focus on addressing specific issues as they arise rather than conducting routine re-inspections.
New Downtown Business, “The Vault,” Seeks Liquor License
HURON - A public hearing has been set for October 6, 2025, to consider an on-off sale malt beverage and South Dakota Farm Wine license for The Tap House LLC, which will be doing business as “The Vault.” The new establishment is located at 79 2nd Street Southwest. The hearing will provide an opportunity for public comment before the commission votes on the license application.
Tattoo and Piercing Business Gets Green Light from Commission
HURON - Carlos Rivera received unanimous approval for a variance to operate a tattoo and piercing business at 1506 Dakota Avenue South. According to city code, tattoo parlors are not a permitted use anywhere in the city and require a variance to operate. City Planner Barry Cranston reported that his office had received no opposition to the request, and the proposal was recommended for approval by the planner, building inspector, and hearing examiner.
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