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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Brookings City Council Regular Meeting - September 9, 2025

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, September 9, 2025

BodyBrookings, South Dakota

SessionMeeting Portal

DateTuesday, September 9, 2025

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:20:00

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:45

Okay, welcome everyone.

0:47

Call this meeting to order.

0:49

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:12

All council members are present, Mr.

1:13

Mayor.

1:14

And Vince is our city attorney is on the line.

1:18

Correct.

1:19

All right.

1:20

Welcome, Vince.

1:23

Item three, approval for the agenda and entertaining a motion to approve the agenda.

1:28

So moved.

1:29

Second.

1:30

Any comments from about the agenda from the public.

1:34

Council, questions, comments?

1:37

Please call the rule.

1:39

Nehemiah.

1:40

Specker.

1:41

Tilton Byrne.

1:42

Hi.

1:42

Wendell.

1:44

Doran.

1:45

Aye.

1:46

Okay.

1:46

We'll start with item four, budget workshop number one.

1:50

Item four is budget workshop number one.

1:53

We will be reviewing budget overview and operating budget and outside agencies.

1:58

Samantha Beckman, our assistants of city manager, and Ashley Wrench, our finance director, will present this item.

2:06

If I can, real quick, just introduce Sam.

2:09

Sam and Ashley have been uh critical part in leading this year's budget process for 2026.

2:15

Sam's gonna go ahead and present the presentation, but just know that Ashley's done a phenomenal job helping her with this process, but just as importantly, all the department heads working together on behalf of the organization to bring you forward a recommendation on behalf of administration.

2:29

Um course is gonna tell you it's a balanced budget, but at the end of the day, we all work cohesively together to really ensure that we have what we need within the budget, the request for the departments trying to take care of outside agencies and other partner agencies, and at the end of the day, coming to a balanced budget that is sustainable uh and well balanced and financially feasible.

2:52

Um so thanks to Sam and Ashley for doing the heavy lifting here and and look forward to the presentation that Sam has for you tonight.

3:01

All right, well, great.

3:02

Thanks.

3:03

It's great to be here.

3:04

Um so this is the 2026 budget presentation, and just want to let you guys know to feel free to interrupt me throughout, and we can answer questions as we go, or if you want to wait till the end and answer questions at the end, that's um all right as well.

3:17

And we also have our department heads here to answer any questions that might be very uh department specific.

3:23

So just feel free to interrupt as we go.

3:26

And also for those that are probably waiting for open forum.

3:30

You get the pleasure of uh waiting probably 40 minutes um through a budget presentation.

3:37

So um good for you.

3:41

All right, so on tonight's uh agenda we're gonna be talking about our operating budget and our outside agencies as well as our tenure financial protect projection tonight.

3:52

And on September 23rd, we will be going over our 10-year CIP or our capital improvement plan and our fee schedule.

4:00

And then on October 14th is an optional study session where we can have any additional uh discussions or recap if you guys so choose.

4:12

This slide just really outlines the kind of formal adoption process that we have with the budget each year, starting with uh property tax levy ordinance reading number one, which happened on October or excuse me, August 26th, and then accumulating uh in November with the final budget ordinance and um CIP as well.

4:36

So on tonight's agenda, we'll be going over highlights from this uh 2026 budget, uh total budget comparison to 25's budget, and going through our primary revenue sources and our uh budget overview of all of those revenue funds, as well as our tenure financial projections and outside agency discussions.

5:00

Giving you guys just a basic overview of our 2026 budget.

5:05

This is having to do with every budget that we do as well.

5:08

We consider the city council's five focus areas of financial responsibility, safe, inclusive, and connected community, service and innovation excellence, economic growth, and sustainability.

5:21

And then this budget also serves as a primary policy tool, really able to guide our operations each year.

5:28

And it then also is a really valuable communication device that helps us promote transparency regarding city operations to both the public and then also helps obviously our departments keep track of things.

5:43

Our highlights for next year's budget.

5:46

The total budget is almost $650,000 less than the 2025 budget, which is really interesting.

5:53

But we're seeing about a 3% sales tax growth, 5% property tax growth.

5:59

And even though our total budget is less than 2025's budget, our general fund is $1 million in increased from the 2025 budget.

6:11

And that general fund increase is really having to do with staffing increases, so wages and training in there, as well as the BMU water treatment plant project revenues coming in and just kind of cost escalations of materials in there.

6:26

Through the 2026 budget process, we are not recommending any additional positions being added.

6:35

And the budget team utilizes a multi-year actual expense averages to find additional areas where we can trim anything that might be additional line items that could save money throughout this.

6:48

So again, kudos to Ashley and Tyler in the finance department, really helping to create that intuitive and sustainable budget moving forward.

7:00

All right, a lot going on on this slide, but the percentages on the bars themselves over here and on here, there we go.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Budget Equity Analysis█████████████████████████████████33%

Procedural████████████████16%

Public Safety██████████████14%

Fiscal Sustainability████████████12%

Mental Health Awareness█████5%

Engineering And Infrastructure█████5%

Water And Wastewater Management███3%

Zoning Regulations███3%

Tax Increment Financing███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Brookings City Council Regular Meeting - September 9, 2025

The Brookings City Council held a regular meeting on September 9, 2025, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting featured a detailed budget workshop for the 2026 fiscal year, public comments, several contract awards, ordinance readings, and public hearings. Key themes included fiscal sustainability, police department concerns, and community development projects.

Consent Calendar

Agenda Approval: The council approved the meeting agenda without discussion.
Consent Agenda Items: Approved en bloc:
- City Council meeting minutes from August 26, 2025.
- Temporary Alcohol / Special Event Alcoholic Beverage Licenses from existing holders.

Public Comments & Testimony

Tim Kaya (Brookings resident): During Open Forum, Mr. Kaya alleged misconduct by police officers (Officers Olson, Weinreich, and Thurry) in connection with an assault on his daughter and his own false arrest. He demanded an outside agency investigation and suspension of the officers. He also stated he has been unable to contact the police chief. The City Manager noted that concerns can be addressed via the process on the city’s website.
Tim Kaya (during Budget Workshop): Asked whether budget funding would be used to train police officers on South Dakota’s stand-your-ground law, citing a previous false arrest. The mayor directed him to Open Forum.

Presentations & Reports

Proclamation – Suicide Prevention Month: Mayor Niemeyer proclaimed September 2025 as Suicide Prevention Month, noting South Dakota’s high suicide rate (20 per 100,000 residents in 2023). Representatives from the Brookings Area United Way accepted the proclamation.
SDSU Student Association Report: President Sophie Spear introduced herself and reported on recent campus events, including the vandalism of trees on 6th Street, the success of One Day for State (raised over $3 million), and upcoming interviews for student senators.
Ex-Officio Reports:
- Brookings Municipal Utilities (BMU): Proposed electric rate increases (3.5% in 2026-2027, 5% in 2028-2032), wastewater rate increases (5% in 2026-2027, 3% thereafter), and water rate decreases (from 10% to 2% due to new treatment plant coming online in October 2025).
- Brookings Health System: Reported ribbon cutting for the Yorkshire Medical Building, a baby boom (45 births in four weeks), high surgical volume (343 cases in July 2025), and a CMS star rating improvement from 3 to 4 stars. Concerns were noted over potential negative impacts from federal Medicaid changes and state reimbursement reductions.

Discussion Items

Budget Workshop #1 (Item 4):
- Presented by Samantha Beckman (Assistant City Manager) and Ashley Wrench (Finance Director).
- 2026 Budget Overview: Total budget of approximately $72 million, $650,000 less than 2025, driven by fewer enterprise fund projects. General fund increased by $1 million (5%) due to staffing, training, and the BMU water treatment plant.
- Revenue Assumptions: 3% sales tax growth, 5% property tax growth; conservative estimates used. Property tax levy capped by CPI (2.9%) and growth (2.09%).
- Spending Highlights: Police (+7%), Public Works (+8.5%), Parks/Rec/Forestry (+6.3%), Administration (+15.9% due to new city attorney and ordinance recodification), Fire (+12%).
- Outside Agency Funding: Total $3.1 million (4.33% of budget). Includes school district ($195,000), humane society ($50,000), and social services (2% CPI increase).
- Councilmember Questions:
  - Councilmember Specker questioned the flat sales tax projection; explained as conservative budgeting.
  - Councilmember Doran asked about city-county building cost sharing (48% city, 52% county) and new city attorney costs (higher workload than anticipated).
  - Councilmember Doran also inquired about budget vulnerabilities; staff cited plateauing hotel stays (pillow tax), tariff impacts, and potential legislative changes.
  - Councilmember Specker asked about emergency reserves; staff noted sinking fund (up to $1 million) and general fund reserve policies (15% + 5%).
- Next Steps: Budget Workshop #2 on September 23 (CIP and fee schedule); optional study session October 14.
Contracts/Change Orders:
- Resolution 25-077 – Capital Street & 32nd Ave Project: Awarded to Rounds Construction (low bid $517,533) for sanitary sewer installation. Will coordinate with MyPlays Hotel, Whiskey Creek, and Dakota Bank Center before Target opening. Approved unanimously.
- Resolution 25-076 – Public Drop-off Z-Wall: Awarded to Clark Drew Construction (low bid $217,800, 44% under budget). Will improve safety and traffic at landfill. Approved unanimously.
Ordinance First Reading:
- Ordinance 25-028 – Rezoning (21625 471st Avenue): From B-3 to I-1 for Austrian Excavating’s concrete crushing operation. Supported by staff and joint planning commission (unanimous city vote). Second reading set for September 23.
Public Hearings and Second Readings:
- Ordinance 25-030 – 2026 Property Tax Levy: Certified $4,408,219 (increase of $209,516). Approved unanimously.
- Ordinance 25-031 – Budget Amendment #7: Transfers $100,000 from general fund reserves to fire facility capital project for engineering/soil testing for new downtown fire station. Approved unanimously.
- Special Event Alcohol Permit: Approved for Brookings Area Chamber’s SDSU watch party on October 4 (300 block of Main Ave).
- Resolution 25-003 – 10-Year Liquor Operating Agreement: Authorized with Reyes Aranda (La Cantina Grill) despite two prior compliance failures; no violations since April 2024. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

Approved Resolutions and Ordinances:
- Resolution 25-077 (Capital Street/Sewer) – unanimous.
- Resolution 25-076 (Z-Wall) – unanimous.
- Ordinance 25-030 (Property Tax Levy) – unanimous.
- Ordinance 25-031 (Budget Amendment #7) – unanimous.
- Special event alcohol permit – unanimous.
- Resolution 25-003 (Liquor operating agreement) – unanimous.
Next Meetings: Study session September 16 (economic agency updates, election discussion, open meetings review); Regular meeting September 23 (second readings, CIP, joint jurisdiction meeting at 5:30 PM).
Executive Session: Held pursuant to SDCL 1-25-2.3 for legal consultation on pending litigation/contractual matters. No further action taken after session; meeting adjourned.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, welcome everyone. Call this meeting to order. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. All council members are present, Mr. Mayor. And Vince is our city attorney is on the line. Correct. All right. Welcome, Vince. Item three, approval for the agenda and entertaining a motion to approve the agenda. So moved. Second. Any comments from about the agenda from the public. Council, questions, comments? Please call the rule. Nehemiah. Specker. Tilton Byrne. Hi. Wendell. Doran. Aye. Okay. We'll start with item four, budget workshop number one. Item four is budget workshop number one. We will be reviewing budget overview and operating budget and outside agencies. Samantha Beckman, our assistants of city manager, and Ashley Wrench, our finance director, will present this item. If I can, real quick, just introduce Sam. Sam and Ashley have been uh critical part in leading this year's budget process for 2026. Sam's gonna go ahead and present the presentation, but just know that Ashley's done a phenomenal job helping her with this process, but just as importantly, all the department heads working together on behalf of the organization to bring you forward a recommendation on behalf of administration. Um course is gonna tell you it's a balanced budget, but at the end of the day, we all work cohesively together to really ensure that we have what we need within the budget, the request for the departments trying to take care of outside agencies and other partner agencies, and at the end of the day, coming to a balanced budget that is sustainable uh and well balanced and financially feasible. Um so thanks to Sam and Ashley for doing the heavy lifting here and and look forward to the presentation that Sam has for you tonight. All right, well, great. Thanks. It's great to be here. Um so this is the 2026 budget presentation, and just want to let you guys know to feel free to interrupt me throughout, and we can answer questions as we go, or if you want to wait till the end and answer questions at the end, that's um all right as well. And we also have our department heads here to answer any questions that might be very uh department specific. So just feel free to interrupt as we go. And also for those that are probably waiting for open forum. You get the pleasure of uh waiting probably 40 minutes um through a budget presentation. So um good for you. All right, so on tonight's uh agenda we're gonna be talking about our operating budget and our outside agencies as well as our tenure financial protect projection tonight. And on September 23rd, we will be going over our 10-year CIP or our capital improvement plan and our fee schedule. And then on October 14th is an optional study session where we can have any additional uh discussions or recap if you guys so choose. This slide just really outlines the kind of formal adoption process that we have with the budget each year, starting with uh property tax levy ordinance reading number one, which happened on October or excuse me, August 26th, and then accumulating uh in November with the final budget ordinance and um CIP as well. So on tonight's agenda, we'll be going over highlights from this uh 2026 budget, uh total budget comparison to 25's budget, and going through our primary revenue sources and our uh budget overview of all of those revenue funds, as well as our tenure financial projections and outside agency discussions. Giving you guys just a basic overview of our 2026 budget. This is having to do with every budget that we do as well. We consider the city council's five focus areas of financial responsibility, safe, inclusive, and connected community, service and innovation excellence, economic growth, and sustainability. And then this budget also serves as a primary policy tool, really able to guide our operations each year.

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