Official Monthly Publication Member of National League of Cities Contents Features www.sdmunicipalleague.org Legal Holidays for 2014 . .4 State Rates . .5 South Dakota 2014 Legislative Calendar . .6 MUNICIPALITIES Carrying Your Message to the Capitol . .7 How an Idea Becomes Law . .8 Managing Editor: Yvonne A. Taylor Editor: Carrie A. Harer How to Track a Bill Online PRESIDENT DISTRICT CHAIRS During the 2014 Session . .9 Becky Brunsing Dist. 1 - Mike Grosek Finance Officer, Wagner Mayor, Webster 2014 Legislators By District . .10-13 1st VICE PRESIDENT Dist. 2 - Tim Reed SDML 2014 Events Calendar . .14 Jeanne Duchscher Mayor, Brookings Finance Officer, Parker Deadwood Grant Funds Available . .15 Dist. 3 - Amy Nelson 2nd VICE PRESIDENT City Manager, Yankton Municipal Elections: Q & A . .16 Meri Jo Anderson 2014 Municipal Election Calendar . .24 Finance Officer, Dist. 4 - Debbie Houseman New Underwood Finance Officer, Lake Andes Ethnic Epithets Supported Pretext Claim TRUSTEES Dist. 5 - Renae Phinney Barring Summary Judgment for Municipality . .26 Laurie Gill President, Ree Heights Mayor, Pierre Enhance Your Leadership by Dist. 6 - Anita Lowary Tapping into Staff Attitudes . .28 Greg Jamison Finance Officer, Groton Councilmember, Sioux Falls Zero-Base Budgeting: Dist. 7 - Arnold Schott A Concept whose Time Has Come – Again . .32 Sam Kooiker, Mayor, McLaughlin Mayor, Rapid City The Quiet Struggle . .38 Dist. 8 - Harry Weller Pauline Sumption Mayor, Kadoka Tense Times Can Test a Manager . .40 Finance Officer, Rapid City Municipal Tax Payments . .50 Dist. 9 - Gary Lipp Mike Wendland Mayor, Custer Mayor, Baltic Columns Dist. 10 - Georgeann Silvernail PAST PRESIDENT Commissioner, Deadwood Director’s Notes . .4 Paul Young Councilmember, Spearfish President’s Report . .5 LEAGUE STAFF 1-800-658-3633 Fax: 605-224-8655 Risk-Sharing News . .42 Yvonne Taylor Executive Director Washington Report: Senator Thune . .44 Sandi Larson Director of Risk Sharing Services Christine Lehrkamp Director of Research and Training In Every Issue Jeff Mehlhaff Director of Municipal Electric Services Carrie Harer Director of Marketing & Communications Community Calendar . .45 Lori Butler Director of Finance/Office Manager Judith Payne SD Public Assurance Alliance Classifieds . .48 Executive Director Directory Changes . .37 E-mail: yvonne or sandi or christine or jeff or carrie or lori or jpayne.sdpaa @sdmunicipalleague.org Municipal Calendar . .49 SOUTH DAKOTA MUNICIPALITIES (ISSN 0300-6182, USPS 503-120) is the official publication of the South Dakota Municipal League, published monthly at 208 Island Drive, Ft. Pierre, South Dakota 57532, phone 605-224-8654. This institution is an equal opportunity provider, and employer. Periodical postage paid at Pierre, South Dakota and additional mailing offices. Non-member subscriptions are available for $30.00 annually. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the South Dakota Municipal League. Postmaster: Send address changes to SOUTH DAKOTA MUNICIPALITIES, 208 Island Drive, Ft. Pierre, South Dakota 57532. JANUARY 2014 VOLUME 80, NUMBER 7 3 Director's Notes Happy New Year! wine – providing a better competitive ability for our in- state wineries, and allowing for the monitoring, licensing, As this is written, we and taxation of shipments currently being made around our have just finished up the existing laws. December Board Meeting, where much of the heavy Pierre becomes a pretty exciting place for the next few lifting is done by your months, and your League staff will be busy keeping on top Board of Directors. They of everything going on in the Statehouse. Please let us have approved the budget know your thoughts as you see issues of interest. for 2014, and it continues to show the League being Until next month, remember we are always available at healthy, but conservative in 1-800-658-3633 or [email protected]. spending your membership dues. They have also Yvonne Taylor reviewed the proposed package of legislation that will be Executive Director forwarded to the 2014 Legislature for consideration, a total of ten bills in answer to policies you approved at the October annual conference. Issues we will ask the Legislature to consider include: Legal Holidays for 2014 j Legislation to clarify administrative, economic development, promotional, and financial powers of municipalities; The State of South Dakota recognizes the following 10 j Legislation to revise procedures regarding appeals to legal holidays plus any other day proclaimed as a holiday the local board of equalization; by the Governor of South Dakota or the President of the j Legislation to clarify that delinquent utility bills may United States: be certified to the county treasurer for collection; j Legislation to remove restrictions on making payments January 1st, 2014 – New Year’s Day by electronic transaction; January 20th, 2014 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day j Legislation to comprehensively clarify the process of appointing or hiring the municipal finance officer; February 17th, 2014 – Presidents’ Day j Legislation to state a vacancy is created when no one May 26th, 2014 – Memorial Day files a petition; j Legislation to provide for adoption of the International July 4th, 2014 – Independence Day Property Maintenance Code; September 1st, 2014 – Labor Day j Legislation to clarify special assessment procedures contained in SDCL 9-43-100; October 13th, 2014 – Native Americans’ Day j Legislation to provide procedures for municipal November 11th, 2014 – Veterans’ Day nuisance abatement action when property is sold for tax deed; November 27th, 2014 – Thanksgiving j Legislation to prohibit liquor carrier licenses for taxi December 25th, 2014 – Christmas cabs. If a holiday from the list falls on a Saturday, the We spend a great deal of our legislative time playing preceding Friday is observed as the paid holiday. If a defense, so please sign up for the free Legislative Update, holiday falls on a Sunday, it is observed on the following which is sent each Friday (or as otherwise needed) to keep Monday. up with everything that will have the potential to affect your city. Cities and towns are not required to follow this holiday schedule. The Municipal League follows the state holiday In other Board action, it was decided to remain neutral on the proposed minimum wage increase ballot initiative; and schedule and the office will be closed on these days. to support legislation that will allow direct shipment of 4 SOUTH DAKOTA MUNICIPALITIES President's Report I trust that all of you had a Merry Christmas and a Happy from Yvonne on the New Year. It’s time to bring on 2014 and start the new legislative issues followed year! Whether you are making a resolution or not, there is by the rib dinner and time to something to be said for turning the page on a new year talk to your legislators. and starting fresh. The next day is Municipal The Legislature will be starting anew this year, with Government Day; this is session officially starting on January 14th. It is also the where you can watch the time of year that the hard work of the SDML policy Legislature in action. This committees and the league staff are put to test. As you is of particular interest to know, Yvonne Taylor is the voice in the Legislature for me. When in high school, it cities in South Dakota. She represents us well on the was tradition for each legislation that cities want to move forward on. senior class to go to the Capitol and observe our Sign up for the Municipal League’s weekly update during state government doing their job and understand how a bill the Legislative session. In this update, Yvonne will keep becomes a law. I had so looked forward to this event, us briefed on the bills that are of interest to the SDML. however, it was not meant to be, due to an unfortunate event from the previous senior class, our class lost our We can also be a voice to our own legislators in our privilege to attend session. So…once I attended my first districts. If you have an issue or concern, you should Municipal Government Day I was in awe of the process contact them and have your voice heard. and truly appreciated how our state government works. It is very interesting and you need to take advantage of this Don’t forget to register for the Rib Dinner with Your if you have not had the opportunity. Legislators on February 4th and Municipal Government Day on February 5th. The Rib Dinner starts with a briefing See you all at the rib dinner! Becky Brunsing President Thank You I would like to take this opportunity to extend my deepest thanks and appreciation to each and every one of you who have kept me in your State Rates prayers and thoughts throughout my recent (As of January 1, 2014) medical crisis. I want you all to know that I have been home since October 31st and am continuing Meals: In-State Out-of State to recover. Your prayers have worked and I so Breakfast $ 5.00 $ 8.00 Lunch $ 9.00 $ 11.00 appreciate you all for your love and support. Dinner $ 12.00 $ 17.00 I hope to return to work in early January. I look Lodging: forward to seeing and hearing from each of you In-State $50.00 plus tax again in the very near future. May you all be Out-of State $150.00 plus tax blessed this holiday season and know that I send up prayers of thanks every day for you and Mileage: $.37/mile all your support. (Federal Mileage: $.56/mile) Monna Van Lint The Board of Finance sets the per diem rates available Finance Officer for South Dakota state employees. The Administrative Rules found at http://legis.state.sd.us/rules/DisplayRule. City of Philip aspx?Rule=05:01 provide more details on state rates.