Your week, simplified: July 9, 2025

Happy Wednesday! Megan here.

Weather check: More storms on the way

This week, buckle up for a lot of city government news (but, before you let your eyes glaze over, remember that your vote never carries more weight than it does in a local election). Plus, you'll find the latest on a new men's prison as well as a metric ton of events happening this weekend.

And now, news:

CITY

Why Mayor TenHaken now knows his last day in office

Simplified: Sioux Falls will know its new mayor next June, after the Sioux Falls City Council approved the date Tuesday evening, but it'll be up to voters to figure out how city elections are handled in future years.

Why it matters

• Sioux Falls City Councilors on Tuesday voted 7-1 to set the 2026 city election to coincide with the June primary. This change comes after a state law requiring cities to line up municipal elections with either the June primary or November general elections.
• At the same meeting, councilors also voted not to lower the threshold needed to win a City Council seat. The 6-2 vote means council candidates will need to get more than 50% of the vote in order to win, the policy that's been in place since 2017.
• Tuesday's meeting was a who's who of former city government officials – with several former mayors and councilors speaking their views on what it should take to earn a seat on the council. Ultimately, the voices favoring majority rule over plurality (i.e. winning an election with 34% of the vote), won out over those saying plurality would save the city money in preventing run-off elections.

"When you consider the millions and millions and millions of dollars that Sioux Falls city government spends ... the cost of a potential runoff city election are like a fly on an elephant’s butt," former Mayor Mike Huether told councilors.

Tell me more

CITY

What City Councilors want state lawmakers to focus on next year

Simplified: The Sioux Falls City Council is looking to weigh in on property tax reform discussions in Pierre, as well as voicing support for ensuring water access, airport expansion and more. Here's an early look at 2026 legislative priorities.

Why it matters

• It makes sense that property taxes are top-of-mind because they make up a significant chunk of the city's annual budget and fund a lot of city services. Right now, Sioux Falls is the only city in the state that already refunds property taxes to those who qualify for the state's assessment freeze program, and councilors are looking to expand that option to more communities across South Dakota.
• Councilors also agreed to take a similar tack as they have in recent years of bringing only a handful of priorities to state lawmakers in the hopes that they'll have more of an impact.
  • That's been moderately effective, though state lawmakers in the 2025 session defeated bills related to city priorities about airport funding, childcare assistance and funding for school safety.
• Other priorities discussed for next year include more funding for the Dakota Mainstem project, which helps shore up a clean water supply for the state into the future; additional supports for folks coming out of incarceration; traffic cameras; airport expansion and more.

"These decisions that we make about these priorities really do matter," Councilor David Barranco said. "They will be taken seriously by our partners statewide and they will be taken seriously by the ladies and gentlemen that represent us in the Capital."

Tell me more about the issues discussed

TL;DR

Super Simplified Stories

• Task force recommends new prison in Sioux Falls. After months of debate on where the new men's prison should be located, a Prison Reset Task Force on Tuesday recommended to locate a new, $650 million prison in Sioux Falls. This comes after the state already invested into a proposed Lincoln County site, but neighbors were not pleased (to say the least). The Dakota Scout has the details on the task force discussion.
• City closer to passing along credit card fees. The City Council on Tuesday night voted 8-0 to advance an ordinance to pass on credit card fees to the users rather than subsidizing them. Over the last couple of years, the city has spent $1.6 million on credit card fees, according to Finance Director Shawn Pritchett. This proposal will move on to a final vote next week.
• Go, parks! July is "parks and recreation month" and the city is taking time this week to recognize the work of the parks and recreation department in maintaining the more than 80 public parks across Sioux Falls. You can celebrate by going to a park. 🛝

EVENTS

Stuff to do: July 9-16

• Rock out at the Levitt. Levitt fan favorite Brulé is performing two nights in a row, Friday and Saturday, this weekend. The band intertwines rock music and Native American culture, instruments and dance. The show starts at 7 p.m. both nights. More here.
• Hang with Hamlet. Bare Bodkins is bringing its Shakespeare in the park show back for a second weekend Thursday through Sunday. You can see the professional performance of Hamlet free of charge at the Queen Bee Mill ruins at Falls Park. Gates open at 6:30 p.m., and you'll want to bring your own chairs/blankets to sit on. Learn more here.
• Cool off at Morningside. The city parks and recreation department is throwing a hydrant party Thursday afternoon at Morningside Park. You can also interact with police, firefighters, libraries and the public health department. No registration required – more details here.
• Find some midsummer merriment. InFlower and Daylily Coffee are teaming up for a little midsummer party Friday evening starting at 5 p.m. Sip on drinks, enjoy some tunes and do some flower crafts. Details here.
• Catch a family-friendly picnic. Fun & Friends is hosting an inclusive family picnic Sunday afternoon starting at 3 p.m. at upper Tuthill Park. Enjoy snow cones, hot dogs, bubbles and crafts. Learn more and RSVP here.
• Vibe with the pups. Stensland Family Farms is hosting a "Dog Days of Summer" event Thursday evening at the store's 41st Street location. Bring in your dog for a free "pup cup." Details here.
• Party with Pitbull. The inaugural Lallycooler music festival will take place this weekend at Great Bear. Friday night's headliner will be country music star Sam Hunt, and Saturday's headliner is Mr. Worldwide himself, Pitbull. Tickets and the full lineup are available here.

THIS AND THAT

What I'm falling for this week:

• Sensory play options
• Local weirdos
• More like John DEAR, amirite?

ICYMI

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