Official Monthly Publication Member of National League of Cities Contents Features www.sdmunicipalleague.org 2015 Annual Report Workshops . .7 2015 Rib Dinner and Municipal Government Day South Dakota at the Legislature . .8 MUNICIPALITIES 2015 Municipal Election Calendar . .9 Managing Editor: Yvonne A. Taylor Editor: Carrie A. Harer SDML Affiliate Membership Options . .10 Grant Opportunities . .13 PRESIDENT DISTRICT CHAIRS Jeanne Duchscher Dist. 1 - Mike Grosek Finance Officer, Parker Mayor, Webster Smoke-Free Policies in Multi-Unit Housing . .14 1st VICE PRESIDENT Dist. 2 - Tim Reed Midwest Assistance Program . .16 Meri Jo Anderson Mayor, Brookings Finance Officer, Emergency Tank Repair New Underwood Dist. 3 - Amy Nelson Prevention and Preparation . .18 City Manager, Yankton 2nd VICE PRESIDENT Laurie Gill Dist. 4 - Debbie Houseman Let’s Move! Cities, Towns and Counties Mayor, Pierre Finance Officer, Lake Andes has gone Nationwide! . .20 TRUSTEES Dist. 5 - Renae Phinney Governor Daugaard Awards Block Grants . .21 Greg Jamison President, Ree Heights Councilmember, Sioux Falls Kansas Police Officer Awarded Over $900,000 Dist. 6 - Anita Lowary after Being Fired For Sleeping On Duty . .22 Sam Kooiker, Finance Officer, Groton Mayor, Rapid City Dist. 7 - Arnold Schott Mayoral Likes Pauline Sumption Mayor, McLaughlin A Town-To-Town Travel Guide . .24 Finance Officer, Rapid City Dist. 8 - Harry Weller Public-Private Partnerships: Mike Wendland Mayor, Kadoka An Attractive Option . .41 Mayor, Baltic Dist. 9 - Gary Lipp U.S. Communities Can Karl Alberts Mayor, Custer Finance Officer, Aberdeen Help Cities Prepare for Winter . .45 Dist. 10 - Fay Bueno PAST PRESIDENT Finance Officer, Sturgis Columns Becky Brunsing Finance Officer, Wagner Director’s Notes . .4 LEAGUE STAFF 1-800-658-3633 Fax: 605-224-8655 President’s Report . .6 Yvonne Taylor Executive Director Sandi Larson Director of Risk Sharing Services Risk-Sharing News . .42 Christine Lehrkamp Director of Research and Training Jeff Mehlhaff Director of Municipal Electric Services Washington Report: Representative Noem . .44 Carrie Harer Director of Marketing & Communications Lori Butler Director of Finance In Every Issue SD Public Assurance Alliance: Judith Payne Executive Director Community Calendar . .48 Kristina Peterson Director of Underwriting Ron Burmood Director of Member Services Deb Corkill Executive Assistant Classifieds . .50 E-mail: yvonne, sandi, christine, jeff, carrie, lori, Directory Changes . .41 jpayne.sdpaa, kpeterson.sdpaa, rburmood.sdpaa, dcorkill.sdpaa @sdmunicipalleague.org Municipal Calendar . .53 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. DECEMBER 2014 VOLUME 81, NUMBER 6 3 Director's Notes The votes are in, and regressive. Whether it’s because we include the sale of food every one of the policy in our tax base, or just a general philosophy, this is at least a committees urged us to reasoned argument. On the food tax, there are those who make another attempt at will never be convinced, and I’m one of them. The argument getting you the “penny for is that it is immoral to tax food. I would argue that it isn’t infrastructure.” Because of immoral to tax those of us who can afford it, and our taxes that unanimous support, largely go to help pay for programs for the less fortunate and we will be asking the for education. Nearly 70% of the population agreed with us legislature to consider the when they were given the chance to vote on the food tax, bill that was HB 1198 in so it doesn’t seem like there will be major change on this 2010. It would allow a any time soon. Nevertheless, The Perfect Bill allows cities capital improvement only, to address these concerns with some kind of rebate – with project specific, time the option to provide this at the local level, and the limited local option penny, determination of HOW to do this at the local level. ONLY with a local vote of your citizens. Because it answers all the reasonable arguments, we call it The Others simply feel we should move away from our sales Perfect Bill. tax based system and introduce a state income tax. That is You’ve often heard me say that you are the most effective continued on page 5 lobbyists we have, and this bill will be a great opportunity to prove that. We have cities that are in dire need of additional funding, but being the people you are, you don’t whine about it; you don’t go to the state with your hand out asking them to give you money, and you don’t ask for the Keep on top of what state to solve your problems for you. Instead, you do what you asked us to do this year: Put together a tool that will goes on under the Dome work for cities, and present the state with a solution. You Subscribe to the SDML’s Legislative Update. need their approval in order to move forward, and sadly, it is a terribly hard sell. The SDML’s Legislative Update informs you on the hottest issues affecting municipalities as the South It has been so interesting to watch the city officials as Dakota Legislature considers them. Each week League we’ve met with their legislators in the various legislative staff compiles an analysis of current and upcoming districts. Those of us who do this all the time have become committee and floor action in the Senate and House. used to people talking about local control but unwilling to actually allow any, but it has come as a bit of a surprise to As local leaders, you need to be a part of the action in some of our members as they’ve listened to arguments put Pierre. The Legislative Update helps get you there. forward against a bill that would simply allow a local option funding tool, with a MANDATORY LOCAL As you know, decisions in Pierre are made at a fast and ELECTION, no less. Several times we’ve heard amazed furious pace, and the Update gives you a grasp of versions of the thought: “What could the arguments against issues affecting how you govern on the local level. this be?” Updates are issued throughout the session on a weekly So here are the arguments against this bill. or as needed basis, via fax, mail or email. Email is free, including an unlimited number of addresses to each city. First, there are the anti-tax, anti-government types. There are good reasons to debate our tax system, and programs being To receive the Legislative Update via email contact supported by those taxes, but simply being against anything Yvonne at [email protected]. that looks like a tax isn’t reasonable, it is a cheap and easy excuse to say no based on ulterior political motives. The To get the Update sent to you by mail or fax please Perfect Bill can’t answer unreasonable arguments. send $10 along with a request (include your mailing address, phone number or fax number) to: Another argument against it is based on our sales tax itself, SDML, 208 Island Drive, Fort Pierre, SD 57532. and generally all tied to the thought that the sales tax is 4 SOUTH DAKOTA MUNICIPALITIES Director's Notes Continued continued from page 4 The legislators with whom we have met have been unfailingly polite, interested, and concerned with city issues. a great discussion, but does anyone really think that is They have taken time, driven distances, and met with us and going to happen? We have to work within the system we our members, and we sincerely appreciate those we’ve had have, and if we wait for a complete overhaul of the SD tax the opportunity to meet with. Along with some amazement system before we take any action, the legislature might as with arguments against local control, I believe we’ve also well quit meeting. found our members with a new level of respect for the breadth of issues our legislators are concerned with. Another argument is that there are so many unfunded needs in South Dakota, how can we allow a local solution It will soon be completely up to you, and your legislators, at the cost of all the other needs? A legitimate concern, and to determine how they will vote on this bill. PLEASE one the Legislature and Governor have the complete make the effort to contact them regularly, express the control over. They can cut budgets, increase taxes, and needs your city has, and urge them to vote in favor of the direct money wherever they choose. local option sales tax bill. We represent cities. We are not responsible for all the We get so wrapped up in this kind of issue that sometimes problems in the state, and we do not have the power to we tend to forget things that are really important: So please provide any answers on those issues. We simply ask the have a wonderful holiday season, may you all enjoy legislature to give us the same ability they have – the family, peace, health, and all the blessings of the season. ability to manage our own budgets, and work with our citizens in a very direct way to solve our own problems. Yvonne Taylor Executive Director DECEMBER 2014 5 President's Report December…the start of information with sincere concern and make the best winter, right? As I write this; decision you know how.