Huron local news summary

Commission approves emergency storm sewer repair in split vote

Commission awards $1.2 million contract for street resurfacing

Water treatment plant upgrade moves to design phase

First reading of short-term rental ordinance approved

Police department to receive new patrol vehicles

Beadle County commission adopts $10.3 million budget for 2026

County approves over $7.1 million in property tax levies

Commission approves emergency storm sewer repair in split vote

HURON, S.D. - The Huron City Commission narrowly approved an emergency budget amendment of $350,000 for immediate repairs to a collapsed storm sewer main near the intersection of Third Street and Iowa Avenue Southeast. The motion passed on a 4-3 vote Tuesday night. The city engineer observed the failure during last month’s heavy rains and warned that further delays could lead to significant street damage. Commissioners dissenting cited concerns over depleting the city’s contingency fund and argued for exploring a phased, less costly repair. The approved funds will be drawn from the city’s capital reserve.

Commission awards $1.2 million contract for street resurfacing

HURON, S.D. - The City Commission unanimously awarded a $1.2 million contract to a regional paving contractor for the 2024 street resurfacing project. The project will target several arterial and residential streets identified as high priority in the city’s latest infrastructure assessment. The awarded bid was the lowest of three submitted. Work is scheduled to begin in late spring and will include milling and overlaying approximately 4.5 miles of city streets. A detailed schedule of the affected streets will be published on the city’s website next month.

Water treatment plant upgrade moves to design phase

HURON, S.D. - A resolution authorizing a $450,000 contract with an engineering firm for the design and engineering of a major upgrade to the city’s water treatment plant passed unanimously. The project aims to replace aging filtration systems and increase the plant’s capacity to meet future demand. Finance Director Paullyn Carey explained that the design phase is the first step, with construction costs anticipated to be funded by a combination of a low-interest state revolving fund loan and a planned water rate increase over the next five years.

First reading of short-term rental ordinance approved

HURON, S.D. - The City Commission approved the first reading of a new ordinance aimed at regulating short-term rentals, such as those listed on Airbnb and Vrbo. The proposed ordinance would require property owners to obtain a city permit, pay an annual fee, and adhere to safety and occupancy standards. The measure is intended to balance the rights of property owners with concerns about neighborhood stability and housing availability. A second reading and public hearing are scheduled for the next commission meeting before the ordinance can be formally adopted.

Police department to receive new patrol vehicles

HURON, S.D. - The Huron Police Department will receive five new squad cars after the City Commission unanimously approved the purchase for a total of $285,000 from a state contract bid. The police chief noted that three of the vehicles will replace aging cruisers with more than 120,000 miles, while the other two will expand the department’s fleet to accommodate new officers. The vehicles are expected to be delivered and outfitted with necessary police equipment within the next six months.

Beadle County commission adopts $10.3 million budget for 2026

HURON, S.D. — The Beadle County Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved the county’s annual budget for the 2026 fiscal year, authorizing appropriations of more than $10.3 million for the General Fund. The adopted budget, detailed in a budget resolution adopted at the meeting, allocates the largest portions of funding to General Government services at approximately $3.5 million and Public Safety at over $2.5 million. The Road and Bridge Fund was approved with a separate budget of over $6.3 million. The budget is now available for public inspection at the Beadle County auditor's office.

County approves over $7.1 million in property tax levies

HURON, S.D. — As part of the 2026 budget adoption, the Beadle County Commission approved a total property tax levy of $7,163,936 for the upcoming year. The tax rate for property owners will be approximately $2.456 per $1,000 of taxable valuation. This includes the general levy, an opt-out levy and levies for the courthouse and jail. The funds generated will be the primary revenue source for the county’s General Fund and other governmental operations.

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