[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6170735,"mediaKeyId","5397283-b4294cca359240f69401844268f1b42f","parentId",5397283,"title","Pennington County directs staff to explore sale of downtown bank building, begins CAB remodel planning","audioSeconds",4858,"startMs",1520000,"endMs",6378000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5397283-b4294cca359240f69401844268f1b42f&start=1520&end=6378","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5397283-b4294cca359240f69401844268f1b42f/thumbnail_1520000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6170735/Pennington-County/South-Dakota/Pennington-County-directs-staff-to-explore-sale-of-downtown-bank-building-begins-CAB-remodel-planning","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6170735-14bb6ecf3376b12fede28fe6153bebb2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775252238&Signature=CFsBnnGB5gjh592LsDPrnwVappm~rVsTEMVD6sNwflDjr6OrGW7om-~j0v~KvJl~UjmiRbgmE0p78nu3oI0TFawLn8bYPsZg0VXy~9c7JxV3clw0FZp7wyZIg-CLgf7QclXYGOjO8lSvO~fA7sgjuBo6SP2wWvgDytaOOmutvz9uoxEPnsi9WF0FV-qkplt5t0pZqA0cE3qfC0sd3aKhvoSkrnvLTnbql34gucG-dxkSsX9kwNT2zoN9PulaPsZYljDd6qCkcMxpFZni3AM-43yAMLGI46v2DGO7Om1Bj0EnhcsuOFovufTZylP40L61InM~l3T5J6~sUXm7XjjOLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pennington County, SD","date","2025-07-15T21:37:09Z","article","Pennington County commissioners on July 15 authorized staff to explore selling the county’s 14 Saint Joseph Street property and adjacent lots, evaluate the possible sale of buildings used by Buildings & Grounds, and to begin a phased remodel assessment of the County Administration Building, commonly called CAB.

The actions came after a 45‑minute presentation by Davis Purcell, the county’s director of buildings and grounds, who reviewed revised staffing and space projections, past consultant recommendations and costs tied to the Concourse administration building. Purcell told commissioners the county needs to “maximize the use of existing facilities” as the Concourse building opens in the fall and as departments shift.

Why it matters: county staff said consolidating operations and reusing vacated space could reduce long‑term costs and avoid future overcrowding, while commissioners said the county must weigh past purchases and current budget constraints before committing to large capital work.

Purcell said the county purchased the First Interstate Bank building at 14 Saint Joseph Street in 2023 for $4,443,000 and two adjacent lots for $557,000, bringing the total purchase to $5,000,000. He presented an illustrative remodel estimate for that building and for CAB-style changes ranging into the millions and noted the Concourse purchase has required additional investment: he estimated about $9–10 million in FF&E and related build‑out spending and an anticipated $2 million for roofs and parking within two years.

The presentation included staffing and space data drawn from a prior BKB (BKV/BKB) study and updated local projections. Purcell said the BKB model overestimated population and staffing growth; the county currently lists about 841 county employees, and he said BKB’s most expansive projection — which included Rapid City Police Department (RCPD) and courts — reached roughly 1,340 positions by 2040. Purcell and several commissioners flagged an internal metric showing Pennington County at roughly 7.2 full‑time equivalents per 1,000 residents versus other counties nearer 3–5 FTEs per 1,000, a gap several commissioners called an “anomaly.”

Commission discussion reiterated two competing priorities: the need to plan for long‑term growth, especially law enforcement and court needs, and the need to constrain near‑term spending because of limits on county revenues. Some commissioners pressed for clearer documentation of prior decisions around Concourse and the bank purchase; others defended past actions and noted the bank purchase preserved campus continuity and created future options.

Formal actions recorded in the meeting minutes included three motions passed by unanimous voice vote: first, a motion directing staff to begin exploring a plan for the potential sale of the county‑owned building at 14 Saint Joseph Street; second, a motion directing staff to evaluate operational needs and explore sale of county‑owned properties at 516 Fourth Street and 517 Third Street (Buildings & Grounds shop) and other adjacent lots; and third, a motion to move forward with the buildings and grounds assessment as presented and to authorize staff to begin exploring a phased remodel of CAB.

Discussion vs. decision: commissioners approved only planning steps and studies — they did not approve any final sale, disposition, or major capital appropriation. Purcell made clear the remodel cost estimates are preliminary and that any major project would return to the board for funding decisions. Several commissioners requested additional financial breakdowns for leased space, shared facilities, and any revenue the county receives from leased county property.

Next steps and context: staff will return with more detailed cost estimates, leasing and occupancy breakdowns and recommended next steps for any property sale. Purcell said he will continue departmental coordination (including further meetings with RCPD and courts) to refine space needs before final design or sales decisions.

Ending: The board’s motions begin a months‑long review rather than a final disposition; any actual sale or large remodeling appropriation will require further staff analysis and a future board vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pennington County Board of Commissioners 07/15/25 LIVE WILL BE DELETED WHEN VIDEO HAS UPLOADED","oneSentenceSummary","Pennington County commissioners on July 15 authorized staff to explore selling the county‑owned bank at 14 Saint Joseph Street and adjacent lots, evaluate possible sales of Buildings & Grounds properties and begin a phased remodel assessment of the County Administration Building (CAB).","taxTitle","Pennington County, South Dakota","taxId",2745,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6170716,"County hears budget requests from WAVI, Humane Society, Child Advocacy Center and Complete Health",8237,9261000,17498000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5397283-b4294cca359240f69401844268f1b42f&start=9261&end=17498","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5397283-b4294cca359240f69401844268f1b42f/thumbnail_9261000.jpg","/articles/6170716/Pennington-County/South-Dakota/County-hears-budget-requests-from-WAVI-Humane-Society-Child-Advocacy-Center-and-Complete-Health","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6170716-16dc2878572207621a20d2a027a1f78f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775252238&Signature=kEZ0hne2BbJ9h~CQ0h1pLqHyNPcV4YdrIO6aE6pif0c7y7Z55qep2DSXRjUHu~gnptpqQj-vkqTTAWQDs-24xTGgKaejruXhV8QG7~TjHD5enapwO1NvkOP1360gMXaBkKaLaC3yKzZSGuJ9wVYfrQ3kd1cPPKU4PmtbxfoZtm1hnSLXW46piKDZbWf-fyAtGWkhxkAcg1Zx1bPuKh8nEOUpXx6C2qD1FxCR02l9Trorn0zMeNp4KOMVbRn9MpHmOIbm-3aO2pq1WJxMfq88l5RXNIixY6dv97WzgJ7tev9lDOOKUcXdiFki5CcOPH~f14liD9o9c3JOzB~YikJ4vg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pennington County commissioners heard budget presentations July 15 from several outside agencies that provide social, public‑safety and health services, and discussed the roles those non‑county providers play in county service delivery.

WAVI (Working Against Violence Inc.): Linda Schroll, WAVI executive director, and Carrie Berard, WAVI finance director, requested that the county continue funding the organization and asked for a specific contribution of $47,000 to cover 67% of the cost of a case manager embedded at the Public Safety Building; WAVI also asked to continue receiving the county’s portion of marriage and divorce filing fees that the agency has used to support 24/7 shelter and related services. WAVI staff described emergency shelter, legal advocacy, crisis‑care and outreach services and said the case manager receives law enforcement reports and helps survivors connect to services.

Humane Society of the Black Hills: Tammy Barrows, the shelter’s executive director, requested a $166,000 county contribution for 2026 based on an earlier discussion that the county should cover a share of operational costs. County staff and the sheriff recounted a history of contracting and reporting: the county historically paid about $50,000 annually for animal control services, then negotiated a larger amount in recent years; the sheriff’s office said it needs a contracted partner to handle animal control work rather than deputies. Commissioners pressed for improved financial transparency and for a county commissioner to sit on the humane society board to review operating assumptions before the county makes larger funding commitments. County staff later noted the current working figure in county budget materials was $108,000 for 2026 and asked the humane society to provide updated financial materials.

Children’s Home Society (Child Advocacy Center): Jessica Breuer and Christy Keffler summarized child‑focused services: forensic interviews, multidisciplinary investigation support, family advocacy and prevention education. They said the child advocacy center conducted about 347 interviews in 2024 and that the county’s historic contribution (about $10,000 annually) supports interviews and advocacy; the agency estimated the minimum per‑interview cost is roughly $1,000–$1,500 and said county funding leverages other donor and federal VOCA income to sustain the program.

Complete Health (federally qualified health center): CEO David Traddart briefed commissioners on the clinic’s role as a safety‑net provider — primary care, dental, behavioral health and pharmacy services — noting the clinic serves insured and uninsured residents and helps avoid preventable emergency‑room use. He said county pharmacy and co‑pay assistance funds act as leverage: for every county dollar used to subsidize a patient co‑pay, Complete Health can bill and create several dollars of revenue to sustain broader services. Traddart cautioned that federal grant funding has been flat while demand and operating costs have risen, and he described contingency steps (service consolidation, staffing freezes) if funding decreases.

Board reaction and next steps: commissioners expressed support for several programs but pressed for fiscal documentation and clearer reporting before making larger or recurring budget commitments. The Humane Society was asked to provide more detailed financials and to accept a county representative on its board; WAVI, the Children’s Home Society and Complete Health were asked to provide follow‑up budget documentation in time for the provisional budget hearing scheduled for July 23.

Ending: County staff will collect agency financial materials and include vetted outside‑agency requests in the provisional budget documents to be discussed at the special July 23 meeting.","Commissioners on July 15 heard budget presentations from social‑service and health‑care providers — WAVI, the Humane Society of the Black Hills, the Children’s Home Society (Child Advocacy Center) and Complete Health — and requested follow‑up financial documentation before deciding on recurring county funding.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6170721,"Planning board approves variance to create a 5.02‑acre lot in agricultural district",393,9067000,9460000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5397283-b4294cca359240f69401844268f1b42f&start=9067&end=9460","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5397283-b4294cca359240f69401844268f1b42f/thumbnail_9067000.jpg","/articles/6170721/Pennington-County/South-Dakota/Planning-board-approves-variance-to-create-a-502acre-lot-in-agricultural-district","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6170721-73a8c64851859f6497f44ac07f46c326/orig.mp4?Expires=1775252238&Signature=i7IN1nIsLMTGLJG-1ZA7KK1sDJXbp5L5Ky1CvgfyLTCckh516M3Aq3WejqeaOMCL3dx4FMisloidIsgWsm6fvJ6i2X3tYI3DXBEm59vitgKGeSOQcjkJb2aHUBcEvEm-rKMNKkVoTxFkiKqgDMqu2-gwtbb~mBa~Qs1FBBiX-62HF6uNXi3mac27lEjmb-SrTslaMS9h8JOlGS6G-xc128lYgj9Foow-MBpnGBniqrM5yuojpbtoOArK7GzhMHPQON8RPaOuO7sdyoo-7icRAJm1chJnzn429IfDcI3Vz1WI5hjFeXf0RcIbPH7pE2nZpFFGxVbhruxCm40jaHmIng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pennington County Board of Adjustment on July 15 approved variance COVA‑25‑0012 to allow a 5.02‑acre parcel to be created within an Agricultural zoning district.

Megan Talmage, county planner, explained staff’s two‑prong variance review and said staff recommended denying the variance because the parcel could be rezoned to a more appropriate district; the county’s future land‑use map shows the area as suitable for ranchette zoning (five‑acre lots). The applicant’s surveyor, John Van Beek of Avid4 Engineering, told the board the request is intended to create a single 5.02‑acre lot for a family residence while keeping the balance of the ranch in General Agriculture to preserve cattle operations and avoid re‑limiting grazing capacity.

After limited public discussion, Commissioner Jason Durr moved to approve the variance; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.

Decision vs discussion: staff noted rezoning was the cleaner option in planning terms; the board instead approved a variance, which permits the immediate lot configuration without requiring a rezone. The decision will allow the property owner to proceed with a 5.02‑acre parcel; the county retained jurisdiction on any subsequent plats or subdivisions.

Ending: The approved variance applies only to the parcel in question; staff noted that the county’s planning jurisdiction borders the City of Rapid City’s three‑mile area in the location of the property and that further platting will proceed under county standards.","Pennington County Planning staff recommended denial and suggested rezoning, but the Board of Adjustment approved a lot‑size variance allowing a 5.02‑acre parcel in an Agricultural zoning district near White Buffalo Road.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6170726,"Pennington County asks Rapid City for clearer process and transparency on TIF applications",196,9490000,9686000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5397283-b4294cca359240f69401844268f1b42f&start=9490&end=9686","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5397283-b4294cca359240f69401844268f1b42f/thumbnail_9490000.jpg","/articles/6170726/Pennington-County/South-Dakota/Pennington-County-asks-Rapid-City-for-clearer-process-and-transparency-on-TIF-applications","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6170726-ae34f1bad1802b795f2809e8b58cf8eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775252238&Signature=g2s2OuSVUkc1SQq3U~g9XF04EA-DaceDoOz0QW89MbNqLQVVb2pWi1OUI55j0WLXbHSaO4gyy8Id-0evnPlQ4Q0pMNvkf89YwJrnikS-70FbVnlEt2bNyKOJoI-R~4H-TBcUxzJb~nwMEg~O57H6aBWEZutuwnPhyicOt9sFI5uKHHzQmoKJv2aEDlxPoJsr1rJtCfZI20YuQkKoVh0zwWSpCQ849v2QTZEovoGxe1Ncq4zdihKJgayFTStsNv~eoelMgIQSmJK27wPzdbAPpSt6BvGQ6LzYCEZqjWhExdDkz4OUda1qVUZ9Vh2CmNnnDh1jiremQkriLhQpxM365g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pennington County commissioners voted July 15 to authorize the board chair to sign a letter to Rapid City raising concerns about the county’s role and the public impact of an expanding number of tax increment financing (TIF) applications.

The letter — drafted by county staff and approved by the board — asks the city to improve early notice, summaries and coordination when developers propose TIF districts. County staff told commissioners the county has seen a marked increase in TIF applications and that some packets are lengthy and lack clear executive summaries, which increases the county auditor’s administrative workload and limits the board’s ability to assess fiscal impacts on the county tax base.

County staff said the concerns center on three themes: administrative strain (processing many TIFs places work on the auditor and assessor), transparency (applications can be hundreds of pages without clear summaries), and future obligations (infrastructure or service demands created by development may shift long‑term costs onto the county).

Commissioners approved transmission of the letter and asked that the chair sign it on behalf of the board. The action does not alter county policy toward any individual TIF but requests stronger intergovernmental cooperation and clearer early disclosure from Rapid City staff when TIFs could affect county finances.

Ending: County staff will send the signed letter to the City of Rapid City as authorized and will monitor any city response or changes to the TIF submittal process.","The board authorized the chair to send a letter to the City of Rapid City expressing concerns about growing tax increment financing (TIF) activity, administrative burden, and the need for transparency and local coordination.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6170731,"Pennington County to return to Monday–Friday hours as Concourse relocation nears",841,6571000,7412000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5397283-b4294cca359240f69401844268f1b42f&start=6571&end=7412","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5397283-b4294cca359240f69401844268f1b42f/thumbnail_6571000.jpg","/articles/6170731/Pennington-County/South-Dakota/Pennington-County-to-return-to-MondayFriday-hours-as-Concourse-relocation-nears","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6170731-3110d8d8025b8a1a89cff1677f511e15/orig.mp4?Expires=1775252238&Signature=U4cM74LBY6cpeJt03vplizVmZUBsRIQFRXzYRPzbEFSuxn3ZhYJxS2T7CQJ4f2SkKgiagvZ4Z1167AI9P1VzuqHGSrgTa5YeoLuRVro9a0CLBYLSG8EvL~QhAwYzgOCODkyUOBewvjOFqlQT3BpyCMxTXG-~9WeF~15lpdV~NmAdCfC7LCcYP~0q6yHc8~dWKsfMAYBRaT45fymQ7PFMXXgIyM~QsWxWb7IbP90lv3vPYrFUG1pxEo7bo2boSUv3kHLlMBDZRxa0rZ~LGqxGdOdqy-3toNmBHqy7XcW7ePUtyDLoiDWdDKKfCanwKJcxitU1ymP~i2MwWKjP-S3ung__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pennington County Board of Commissioners voted July 15 to return county administrative offices to a Monday‑through‑Friday schedule effective with the scheduled relocation to the Concourse administration building this fall. Commissioners said the move responds to public feedback and employee input gathered in recent weeks.

Why it matters: the county had operated a four‑day, Monday‑through‑Thursday schedule in recent years; staff said large numbers of residents — especially those who visit government counters early in the workday — requested a return to a weekday schedule to coordinate court, tax and other business more easily.

Human resources staff said the recommendation to return to a five‑day schedule is supported by public engagement. Carol Bancroft, the county’s human resources director, summarized a five‑phase project that included eight public listening sessions, internal employee meetings and an online engagement campaign. Human resources reported 3,323 page views of the hours‑of‑operation landing page and 99 web form submissions; staff also collected 264 paper survey cards from public counters. Marketing staff noted 3,352 link clicks from social posts and more than 34,000 impressions during the outreach period.

Survey results summarized at the meeting showed a plurality of respondents prefer a traditional Monday‑through‑Friday schedule. Staff told the board that early‑morning hours are important to many residents; survey respondents most frequently selected early mornings and late afternoons as the most convenient times to visit county offices.

The board’s motion directs staff to finalize recommended standard daily hours and to implement the Monday‑Friday schedule when Concourse opens. Commissioners emphasized that department heads will retain responsibility for staffing internal schedules and coverage; the board’s action sets a countywide operational standard for public counter hours and directs staff to coordinate communications with the public and employees ahead of the move.

Ending: Staff will return recommended block hours (for example 7 a.m. start or 8 a.m. start and closing time) for board approval and then run a public information campaign prior to the Concourse relocation.","Following public feedback and internal surveys, the board directed staff to implement a traditional Monday‑Friday administrative schedule once county operations relocate to the Concourse building; specific daily hours will be recommended by staff and returned to the board.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Pennington County directs staff to explore sale of downtown bank building, begins CAB remodel planning

County hears budget requests from WAVI, Humane Society, Child Advocacy Center and Complete Health

Planning board approves variance to create a 5.02‑acre lot in agricultural district

Pennington County asks Rapid City for clearer process and transparency on TIF applications

Pennington County to return to Monday–Friday hours as Concourse relocation nears