The Rapid City Council will convene a special session tonight at 5 p.m. to conduct the second and final reading of the proposed 2026 city budget, a critical step toward formal adoption before the September 30 deadline mandated by South Dakota law.
The meeting, held in the Council Chambers at City Hall, precedes the regularly scheduled council session at 6:30 p.m. Both are open to the public, and city officials are encouraging residents to attend or tune in via livestream to stay informed on how local funds will be allocated in the coming year.
The proposed budget, first introduced by Mayor Jason Salamun in late July, outlines funding priorities across city departments, including public safety, infrastructure, parks, and community development. Following a week of departmental reviews in early August, the council held its first formal reading on August 18.
Tonight’s session marks the final opportunity for council members to debate amendments and vote on the budget’s approval. If passed, the 2026 budget will set the financial course for Rapid City’s operations and investments over the next fiscal year.
The shift to a Tuesday meeting—rather than the usual Monday—was made to accommodate the Labor Day holiday. City officials have emphasized transparency throughout the budgeting process, with the full proposal available for public viewing on Rapid City’s official website.
Comments