Happy Wednesday! Megan here.
Weather check: Warm and quiet
β Status check: It's back-to-school season! Solidarity to all the other parents out there struggling with easing back into a school schedule.
This week, get your back-to-school hats on because it's time for math. But don't let the numbers scare you β it's all related to your tax dollars and where they're going up or down. Plus, don't miss our event guide β there's lots of fun stuff happening as we close out August.
And now, news:
COUNTY
Why sales tax in Lincoln County is likely to go up
Simplified: Lincoln County Commissioners on Tuesday night voted 3-2 on a half-cent sales tax increase. The extra money from the tax will then be used to lower property taxes on owner-occupied homes in the county. Here's what you need to know.
Why it matters
- Lincoln County is one of about a half-dozen counties in the state to take advantage of a new state law allowing counties discretion to raise sales tax as a way to lower property taxes.
- The law, previously known as Senate Bill 96, was one of a few measures in the 2026 legislative session aimed at reducing property taxes in the state by redirecting that tax burden to people buying goods and services within the county.
- County Commissioners discussed the possibility of referring the measure to a public vote, but ultimately agreed they couldn't under the way the law is currently written. That said, multiple commissioners expressed a desire to see this vote referred to a public vote β something that could be accomplished if enough Lincoln County residents sign a referendum petition.
"If it means we have to carry papers and get signatures, I would like to see all the people vote on this critical issue," Commissioner Jim Schmidt said Tuesday night.
Tell me more about the new sales tax
EDUCATION
How Sioux Falls schools are saving millions with a 'bond tender'
Simplified: The Sioux Falls School District is the first in the state to use a "bond tender" process as a way to save $2.36 million over the next decade. Here's what you need to know.
Why it matters
- The district has been in a season of belt-tightening as state funding in recent years fell short of what's promised under state law. Over the last two years, the district has cut $5 million in ongoing expenses from its budget.
- The bond tender is a way for the district to save money on its current debt β about $120 million, much of which supported building Jefferson High School, Ben Reifel Middle School and Marcella LeBeau Elementary school.
- The district essentially sold off a portion of that debt and then re-purchased a smaller amount of debt at a higher interest rate. Despite the interest rate increase, the district is still expected to save $2.36 million over the life of the bond β about 13 years, according to Business Manager Cameron Kerkhove.
"I think this emphasizes the fact that we don't just talk about being fiscally responsible, we are always looking for those opportunities to make our dollars go as far as they possibly can," District spokeswoman DeeAnn Konrad said.
How does a bond tender work?
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- Save the date. The Sioux Falls School Board is hosting two community sessions this fall to hear feedback on plans to build a new Whittier Middle School, a new west-side elementary school and make several other improvements district-wide. The first session will take place at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30 at Whittier Middle School, and the second will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7 at Memorial Middle School.
- After these listening sessions, the school board is expected to reconvene its facilities task force for final recommendations and move forward with a bond election in April 2027.
- SEUW Brew is back. Severance Brewing is teaming up with Sioux Empire United Way to kick off another fundraising campaign with a special beer. The SEUW Brew, a lemon shandy, will be available at Severance starting Friday, and a portion of sales will be donated to United Way as it kicks off its campaign during an event 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at the brewery.
COUNTY
Meeting over moratorium: Where Lincoln County stands on data centers
Simplified: Lincoln County Commissioners rejected a proposed moratorium on data centers for the second time this year during a joint meeting with the Sioux Falls City Council on Tuesday. But, both county and city leaders agreed to hold a public meeting on hyperscale data centers in late October.
Why it matters
- Commissioner Joel Arends in February proposed a one-year moratorium on any new hyperscale data center projects in Lincoln County. It was rejected by the commission as a whole, but Arends saw an opportunity to re-open the conversation during a joint meeting this week.
- As county and city officials looked to approve the Shape Sioux Falls 2050 comprehensive plan, Arends brought an amendment that would've started the process on a data center moratorium in the joint city-county jurisdiction area.
- That amendment was also rejected by commissioners. But, Arends did convince his colleagues to agree to a Lincoln County Commission and Sioux Falls City Council joint meeting the last Tuesday of October to bring together all of the key players in the data center discussion.
"I dont want a US Bank Stadium-sized data center in my back yard," Arends said. "My neighbors don't want it in their back yard ... We didn't want a prison. We didn't want a pipeline. We didn't want a campground on our golf course ... now is the time to hit the time-out button."
What happens next?
EVENTS
Stuff to do: Aug. 26-Sept. 1
- Party at the Levitt. The fourth annual Mitakuye OwasβiΖ All My Relatives festival is going down Saturday at the Levitt, and β in partnerships with the Smithsonian β it's gonna be a big one. There'll be live music (of course), food trucks, family activities, cultural presentations a fashion show and a visual arts exhibition across the street at Rehfeld's. Find full details here.
- Support local vendors. The annual 605 Made Market is happening Saturday at 6th and Phillips from 3 to 9 p.m. The free event will feature dozens of vendors, local makers, chefs, performers. Learn more here.
- Paint your pet. Local artist Alex Lunstra is teaching a guided painting class on Saturday afternoon with proceeds supporting the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society. Register and find more details here.
- Eat some oysters. It's the last Friday of the month, which means the Carpenter Bar is shucking things up. You can get fresh oysters, shrimp and, of course, cocktails starting at 4 p.m. Friday. Details here.
- Cheers to back-to-school. Transitions Doula and Life Services is hosting a little first-day celebration for parents after drop-off on Thursday. You can swing by for coffee, mimosas and connections with other parents. Details here.
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
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