BROOKINGS – Vote as you please, but please vote.
Election day is Tuesday in a number of South Dakota communities, including Brookings. Here, voters will decide Brookings City Council and Brookings School Board races, as well as making a decision on the proposed property tax opt out.
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BROOKINGS – Vote as you please, but please vote.
Election day is Tuesday in a number of South Dakota communities, including Brookings. Here, voters will decide Brookings City Council and Brookings School Board races, as well as making a decision on the proposed property tax opt out.
City offices
There are two, three-year seats open on the council, currently held by Patty Bacon and Nick Wendell. Both are in the running, along with Nick Schmeichel and Verna Longville.
The other seat opening is a one-year position currently held by Holly Tilton Byrne. She is on the ballot, as is Joey Collins.
School board
Two spots are opening on the Brookings School Board, now held by Steve Bayer, who has declined to run again, and Randy Grimsley.
Three candidates filed for the posts: Grimsley, former Brookings School District Superintendent Roger DeGroot and Deb DeBates.
Board members serve three-year terms.
Opt out
Also part of the Tuesday election is a Brookings School District vote on a proposed $5.1 million-maximum annual opt out. Initially, district officials say they would take $3.9 million, with a slight increase each year for 10 years to follow inflation.
Based on the initial opt out amount of $3.9 million, the property tax levy for an owner-occupied home would be $2.31 per $1,000 in valuation.
Agricultural property tax levy would be $1.03 per $1,000 in valuation, and commercial property levy would be $4.77 per $1,000.
The tax rate then would increase each time the district increases the amount of taxes they draw of the maximum $5.1 million.
A breakdown of estimated monthly property tax increases at different valuation levels can be found online at https://www.brookings.k12.sd.us/Page/1344.
The opt out is being proposed to help the district close the gap between limited and unpredictable resources and the needs and wants of the district. Money generated from the opt out will attempt to address three broad categories: student support, staff support and district operations.
If nothing is done, the district is facing more than $750,000 in cuts just to balance its budget.
Where to vote
City of Brookings and Brookings School District voters may cast their ballots at any of the following vote center locations from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday:
• Brookings Activity Center, 320 Fifth Ave., Brookings
• Bethel Baptist Church, 714 17th Ave. S., Brookings
• Faith Reformed Church, 1300 Main Ave. S., Brookings
• Aurora Little Hall, 101 Nicolett St., Aurora
There is also a race for a two-year seat in Ward 2 for the Aurora City Council. Competing for the post are Josh Kukrall and incumbent Allen Pace. Those voting in this election must do so at Aurora Little Hall.
