The Rapid City Council unanimously approved a $337 million budget for 2026, with minor adjustments to Mayor Jason Salamun’s July proposal. The budget includes a 4.4% increase in the General Fund for daily operations, prioritizing public safety with $29.9 million for the police department (up 2.7%) and $21.3 million for the fire department (up 8.9%).
Councilman Rod Pettigrew (Ward 5) successfully moved $250,000 for the America 250 celebration from the mayor’s budget to Visit Rapid City’s community investments budget, to be managed by the America 250 Steering Committee.
Councilwoman Callie Meyer (Ward 5) abstained due to her role with Visit Rapid City.
A prior attempt by Councilman Bill Evans (Ward 2) to limit the mayor’s spending authority on these funds failed on September 2.
The council also allocated an additional $2,500 each for Minneluzahan and Canyon Lake Senior Centers from undesignated funds and $60,000 from contingency funds for Minneluzahan improvements. The property tax ask is set at $26.9 million, pending Pennington County’s mill levy calculation.
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