Pennington County’s proposed 83% cut to Rapid City Public Library funding—from $475,000 to $81,000 in 2026—has ignited public backlash and internal tensions.
Library Director Terri Davis said the reduction could lead to the loss of three staff positions, Sunday closures, fewer programs, and reduced access to materials and databases.
County Commissioner Ron Weifenbach defended the cut as a budget-balancing move to avoid tax hikes. However, his decision to post an unofficial spreadsheet of library employee salaries on Facebook intensified the debate, drawing hundreds of comments.
While Davis acknowledged the data is public, she criticized the post’s intent and the inclusion of staff names, saying it upset employees.
She remains hopeful the county and library can reach a new agreement to preserve core services.
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