RAPID CITY, S.D. – The Pennington County Board of Commissioners has approved the county’s 2027 budget, with projected expenditures totaling more than 140 million dollars.
County officials say that figure is a placeholder while final adjustments are completed, with the final budget expected to be finalized and submitted to the state later this month. Current estimates put expenditures closer to 135 million dollars, compared to the 131 million dollar budget approved for 2026.
A major factor in the increase is several large capital improvement projects, including a 1.5 million dollar roof replacement for the county administration building and an 1.8 million dollar renovation of a downtown pedestrian plaza connecting county facilities.
Commissioners also approved a 2.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment for county employees and continued annual step increases. Meanwhile, the board voted to fund local libraries through the county’s general fund rather than a dedicated library levy.
The budget passed on a 4-to-1 vote, with Commissioner Deb Hadcock casting the lone dissenting vote, citing concerns over library funding changes and a desire for additional budget discussions before approval.
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