HURON – After a busy week in the city of Huron that led to a moment of silence to start Monday’s meeting, the Huron City Commission focused back on business at hand, approving the first reading of the 2024 city budget Monday evening.

The total 2024 approved budget is $52,622,628, a 14% increase over the 2023 budget of $46,265,115. With the first reading approved Monday, the second reading for the budget will be held Mon., Sept. 25.

With Mayor Gary Harrington absent, Commissioner Bryan Smith served as interim mayor. Smith opened the meeting with a moment of silence, acknowledging the tragedies in Huron over the past week, the stress those tragedies have taken on our first responders, and the businesses affected.

Smith read a proclamation recognizing Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week, September 11-16. Representatives from Center for Independence were on hand to receive the proclamation.

The commission approved a change request and final payment for the water main replacement project. The change order was a decrease of $69,283.25 due to supplies used versus budgeted amount. The final payment was in the amount of $500,619.21.

Assistant city engineer Dennis Bennett noted that the original contract with Menning Excavating was for $2,217,709, so after the change order, the final project was done at a cost of $2,148,425.75.

Bennett also presented a payment request to North Star Logistics LLC, doing business as Sentry Crane, for work on the Huron Transfer Station in the amount of $156,303.86. This was approved.

The commission approved a proposal from Musco Sports Lighting LLC to do Memorial Ballpark lighting improvements for $364,000. This will be covered in part by grant funds.

Commissioners also:
• Approved a parade permit filed by Huron Chamber & Visitors Bureau for the Parade of Lights on Nov. 24, contingent on approval with the South Dakota Department of Transportation for use of S.D. Hwy 37.
• Approved a special event on-sale alcoholic beverage license filed by Top Floor Events for a Chamber mixer Oct. 10 at People’s Transit, 120 Wyoming Ave. S.W.
• Approved full-time status of Police Officer Pywe Der.

• Approved full-time status of Central Park Manager Zachary Olson.
• Approved changing part-time employee Isaiah Decker from softball to park maintenance.
• Approved changing part-time employee Chawnsey Phillips from Central Park maintenance to park maintenance.

The public meeting completed with the commission entering into an executive session regarding personnel.