(Editor's note: This is just one part of a series of stories about local candidates in the upcoming June 2 primary, municipal and school board election. Find more coverage here.)
Simplified: At one point in 2021, Mayor Paul TenHaken announced plans for Sioux Falls to have net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Ultimately the city's sustainability plan was pared down in response to pushback from stakeholders. Sioux Falls Simplified asked all City Council candidates about their plans to balance the city's limited natural resources with continued growth and development in the city.
Here's what we asked:
What would be your approach to protecting natural resources? And how does that factor in to any future decisions about development or zoning?
Here's how candidates responded (in alphabetical order):
Michael Crane
"First of all, I support, in my home life, recycling and doing those kinds of things," Crane said. "That's part of our everyday life, and I think that as you look at projects, we need to constantly be aware of what kind of usage they're going to have on our water supply or our electrical supply. We have to factor that into the decisions that we're making, and part of it is just being aware and making it a discussion point."
Is this story helping you feel smarter about the 2026 election? Support Sioux Falls Simplified in bringing smarter, easier local news to our community.
Brady Kerkman
"Our city is growing at a significant rate, and we want to be careful that we're not growing faster than we have the infrastructure for," Kerkman said. "And so getting input and feedback from the community, the district that we represent is imperative."
Kerkman added that he's heard from people in his district that they'd like a park closer to their home, which is something he said can be addressed.
Sara Pankonin
Pankonin spoke at length about her experience as a civil engineer, specifically when it comes to water, wastewater, wetlands, watersheds, etc.
"In the end, we need to be thankful for moisture, and we need to be thankful for sunshine and we need to be good stewards of the land," she said.
See all Simplified election coverage here:
