Rapid City Council members talked 2019 budget again on Tuesday night, discussing a list of requests for more information held over from the last meeting. Among them the City-County partnership for the detox expansion. Law enforcement has identified a link between crime and addiction and say this plan is a new and innovative way to deal with those chronic problems. The cost of the expansion is an expensive venture which will be shared by the City and County, and grant monies.
Alderman Steve Laurenti asked the questions that some County Commissioners have asked regarding this expansion – how will the expansion drive growth, won’t homeless people will flock here after hearing about the cushy services.
Police Chief Karl Jegeris noted Rapid City’s transient population, those that come and go, is a very insignificant number. Jegeris said the majority of clients are residents of Rapid City or neighboring communities….
Sheriff Kevin Thom said when grant dollars run out, staff is laid off and services reduced or going back to those government bodies to ask for more money…
County Commissioner Lloyd Lacroix the oft-repeated “Build And They Will Come” trope….
LaCroix said this plan has been well researched. He noted that Rapid City is the biggest hub in the area located right next to the poorest region in the nation.
Story By: KOTA’s Marnie Cook
