SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO) — Sioux Falls residents will have their chance to weigh-in on the proposed city budget for next year.

The nearly $800-million budget has its first reading Tuesday night at the city council chambers.

City leaders have been working on the 2027 budget since January.

That’s months before new Mayor Christine Erickson and three new city council members took office.

The budget includes funding for a new aquarium at the Great Plains Zoo as well as for purchasing public land at the Sanford District, once Smithfield Foods move out of its east-side location.


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But one big question is whether the city council is willing to play ball with improvements to Sioux Falls Stadium.

The bulk of the $794-million city budget includes funding for streets, public safety and infrastructure.

“So I don’t think there’s anything that’s really particularly new or shiny objects that you would see in this budget,” City of Sioux Falls Director of Finance Shawn Pritchett said.

But the budget is still a work in progress. City council member Ryan Spellerberg plans to introduce a resolution reallocating $150-thousand to help city public safety workers make down payments on a first-time home purchase.

“And it’s $15-thousand, it’s fully forgiven after a five-year period. And we’re doing that from a retention standpoint for their positions that are really hard to keep people and we have a lot of turnover,” Spellerberg said.

The Birdcage is also on the budget.

Council members say the most contentious issue regarding the budget might be spending nearly $1-million to add artificial turf to the outfield to save on wear-and-tear.

“It’s a tough one because we don’t really have a plan for that campus down there. So, to put a lot of money into it, is difficult. But we also have looked at the numbers to see how much they are spending on a maintenance basis for the field to keep it up,” Spellerberg said.

“If we do put turf in the outfield, what are we going to do there that really utilizes that turf? Is it opening it up to the public? Is it hosting more concerts there that are going to bring people to Sioux Falls,” Sioux Falls City Council member James Oppenheimer said.

Both Oppenheimer and Spellerberg say they’re undecided about whether or not they’ll approve funding for the turf outfield. They add that it’s important that taxpayers share their thoughts about what should be included and what should be taken out of the budget.

“I may not agree with them. But at least I want to know what they have to say and be able to take that into consideration,” Oppenheimer said.

The public hearing portion of the budget meeting begins at 6 p.m.

The budget’s second reading will take place September 8th.

Shawn Pritchett says the $950-thousand investment in outfield turf will reduce maintenance costs at the stadium by $100-thousand ever year, so the city would actually be saving money in the long-term.