Minnehaha County Commissioners outline meeting procedures

Dell Rapids residents who interact with Minnehaha County government will find established procedures governing official meetings. The Minnehaha County Board of Commissioners operates under a set of Rules of Procedure, last revised on January 3, 2023. These rules guide how county business, which impacts communities from the bustling streets near the Dells to the more rural outskirts, is conducted.

Regular meetings are scheduled for Tuesdays at 9:00 AM in the Commissioners’ Room on the first floor of the Minnehaha County Courthouse in Sioux Falls. If a Tuesday falls on a legal holiday, the meeting will convene on the next business day. The initial item of business at these regular meetings is the approval of minutes from the preceding session.

Special meetings can be called by the Chairman or any two Commissioners, provided reasonable notice is given to all board members and the public regarding the meeting's time and purpose.

The standard order of business includes a call to order, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of minutes and agenda, a public input period with a three-minute limit per speaker for non-agenda items, followed by the Consent and Regular Agendas. Commissioners' reports and discussions conclude the meeting before adjournment.

Items for the agenda must be submitted to the County Auditor by 12:00 PM on the Thursday before the meeting. The agenda is then made available for public review at the County Auditor's office by 5:00 PM the following Friday.

During meetings, attendees are expected to maintain courteous and dignified conduct. Disruptive behavior may result in removal from the meeting, with the Chairman serving as the judge of conduct.

All decisions are made by a majority vote of members present, with each Commissioner casting one vote. The Chairman votes on all questions. A tie vote means the question fails. Any Commissioner can request a roll call vote, and each vote is recorded in the minutes.

Amendments to these Rules of Procedure require a majority vote and must be submitted in writing to the County Auditor at least one week prior to the meeting where they will be considered. The proposed amendment will then be placed on the meeting agenda.