Erickson said she'd like to see the city do a better job of working with the state legislature.

"We need to do a better job at making sure that when the session comes, we're not just giving them a piece of paper and saying, 'hey, go do these things for Sioux Falls,' but instead we're meeting with the legislators, building a team, and telling them the importance of the legislation that happens to Sioux Falls. ... I want to be a part of that and (have) a seat at the table."

Smith said one thing he'd handle differently is the signs around town saying "Cash handouts don't help." He said the cash handouts are an issue in the community, but that what's needed is a more "comprehensive fix."

"That (marketing campaign) right there is not working in the way that I believe it was intended," he said. "I wouldn't have done it that way."

Smith said his first priority is to make sure the city is well, that public safety is funded, and infrastructure is in place. Then we can talk about quality of life issues.

"So, it's a balancing act between all of that for sure, and you have to weigh each and every one of those decisions on an individual basis as far as I'm concerned."

Erickson emphasized her commitment to affordability and residents' ongoing concerns with property taxes.

"We have to do more with less," she said. "We have to be laser -focused on making sure that when we're passing the budget, that we're not asking the citizens to bear the burden over and over."

Erickson said it's exciting to see how Via, the city's (relatively) new transit provider, is using technology to expand routes, find efficiencies and save money.

• She added that there's still some work to do in paratransit to make sure people aren't missing doctor appointments. But, she added that as the transit system continues to find efficiencies, it'll be able to expand and find more riders.

Smith said we're "on the way, but we haven't got there yet" with public transit. On-demand is part of the answer, he added, but the city needs reliable fixed routes that better meet the needs of citizens.

• He shared the example of someone who is able to take a bus to work but are unable to get a ride home because the buses don't run late enough.

Smith said the Safe Home that opened in the city in 2015 is a great example of a success in this housing first approach.

"We need to expand that," Smith said. "I've been saying double, but it's probably more like triple the capacity for that."

Erickson said she was on the City Council when the city gifted The Glory House an old ice house to expand their housing capacity. She also added that she'd like to see the city work with community partners to create Safe Home-type housing "sprinkled throughout Sioux Falls and not just in one concentrated area."

Question continued: And how would you signal to those thousands of residents that they're a valued part of our city's future? Would you attend pride? Or extend protections to LGBTQ+ people in the city's non-discrimination ordinance?

Erickson said she'd have zero tolerance for discrimination under her leadership.

"I want you to feel a part of this community, and I want you to feel that you can have the American dream just like everyone else," she said.

• When pressed about adding explicit protections to the city's non-discrimination policy, Erickson added: "I think that it's already covered."

Smith said for anyone who's felt unwelcome in the state of South Dakota, know that all are welcome under Mayor Jamie Smith. He also shared his experience of finding community in the Rainbow Chorus and how it helped "invigorate my soul." He also said he would extend explicit protections to the LGBTQ+ community in the city's non-discrimination ordinance.

"We will work to protect all citizens of our community, including our LGBTQ+ community, because you are people and you matter to me."

Smith said it's an unfortunate situation we're in when the victim of a violent crime doesn't report it due to fear of deportation. He also shared the example of a man who carries his passport everywhere simply because he has brown skin.

"That's not the type of community that we want Sioux Falls to be, and that's not the type of community that I will be the leader of," he said. "We care about people, all people in our community. We will do everything we can to work through the processes to make sure these folks can get the documents that they need."

Erickson: "I don't want anyone to live in fear that they can't report a crime. That's just not OK."

• She also shared the example of a man she knows who's been trying to become a legal citizen for some time, but it's been at least an 18-month process so far and he's still not done.
• "I want them to walk through the process, and we need to make it easier for them to be here."

Erickson: "No, I do not support a limit on that. The free market is alive and well."

• Erickson said what she does support is ensuring zoning laws are in place and followed.

Smith said it's an interesting question and that the model of short-term rentals is taking housing stock away from the community. He also talked about his experience on the board of Affordable Housing Solutions.

"Understanding affordable housing is something I know quite well, and we need more housing stock to meet the needs of our people."

Smith pointed to the recycling rate and how the amount of materials recycled has gone down as our community has grown.

"We need to do a better job," he said. "There are entire apartment complexes that don't have a recycling bin for their people. I think we need to enforce something there and make sure that we do that. Make sure that we do recycle. That's just one instance."

Erickson: "I think it's always worth revisiting and having conversations. What I don't want to do is push that on the housing. I don't want to push mandates on others."

Erickson: "I think we still have some time. The Riverline is a blank property there, and so it could be something -- what that something is, I'm not sure yet. With the new land open for Smithfield we've got a lot of acres that we can develop on there, and so I think it would be a bit irresponsible to go ahead and just build that at the Riverline location at this point. But we've got a blank slate."

• Erickson added that with the short time frame, it's probably a good idea to "press pause" and even entertain the idea of private development on the space.

Smith said he supported a downtown convention center when it was first discussed over a decade ago, but he's not convinced the Riverline District is the right spot for it.

"I think we can reimagine that clean slate along with the Smithfield property, and we can come up with a comprehensive plan of what best meets the needs of all Sioux Falls and all of its citizens."

Smith said as a lifelong resident, he absolutely loves Sioux Falls and has had the joy of watching the city grow as he's raised his family here.

"It's been said lately on Facebook that when my opponent talks, people listen," Smith said. "I want you to know that when you, the people, talk, I listen. I listen to you, the people of Sioux Falls, and I will make every decision I make with your and our best intention in mind. I can't wait to be your mayor."

Erickson said she wasn't born here, but she's chosen Sioux Falls as her home to start a business, raise a family and serve a decade in public service. She also pointed to her priorities of public safety, affordability and quality of life.

"When tough conversations need to be had, I lean in," she said. "I'm ready to roll my sleeves up. I listen, I respond, and I go to work. I can't think of a better honor than serving each and every one of you in the great city of Sioux Falls, and I look forward to your vote on June 23rd."