What's in the mayor's $1B five-year spending plan?

Megan Raposa -

Simplified: Mayor Paul TenHaken unveiled a $1 billion capital improvement plan detailing investments the city will make over the next five years. Here's a look at what the 10-figure price tag includes.

Why it matters

  • TenHaken's annual capital improvement plan has exceeded $1 billion for three years now. This annual five-year plan has also more than doubled in the time TenHaken's been in office.
  • This year's plan comes in at about $23 million less than last year's proposal, and in his letter to the City Council, TenHaken noted upcoming financial challenges including slowing sales tax revenue, uncertainty in federal funding and less property tax revenue due to changes at the state level.
  • That said, the mayor's plan prioritizes spending on roads, infrastructure, a new fire station, new pools and ensuring that Sioux Falls has a reliable water supply long into the future.
"Growth is a good thing in a community, signaling a strong economy and a great quality of life,” TenHaken said in a statement releasing the plan. “Our proposed capital program truly reflects our vision statement, ‘taking care of today for a better tomorrow,’ by addressing our community’s immediate needs while planning for the future.”

Tell me more about what's in the plan

The largest segment by far is a recommended $431 million on highways and streets.

  • That will fund projects across the city, including:
    • Continued work at Interstate 229 and Cliff Avenue,
    • A new interchange at Interstate 29 and 85th Street,
    • Reconstruction of Interstate 229 and Minnesota Avenue,
    • Reconstruction at 41st Street and Louise Avenue,
    • and completion of South Veterans Parkway.

Other significant expenditures include about $361 million on utilities – largely related to water reclamation and increasing the water supply.

Another $100 million will support culture and recreation. That includes:

  • $41.5 million on entertainment venues, including both building improvements and equipment for the convention center, event center, Birdcage, Washington Pavilion and the Orpheum Theater,
  • $5.2 million for Siouxland Libraries.

TenHaken is also proposing spending $5.5 million on a new northwest Sioux Falls fire station in 2026. It'll be located in the Discovery District.

What happens next?

The plan moves to the Sioux Falls City Council, who will ultimately make the call on what gets funded in next year's budget.

  • Budget discussions will continue throughout the summer with a final vote expected in September.