Vermillion, Clay County ripe for consolidation of services

How are 65 county seats and their bureaucracies either conservative or sustainable? They're not; but, it's the way Republican cronyism and patronage built barricades to democracy by providing benefits of the public dole to those who say they deplore big gubmint in a state that hates poor people. 

I remember having a conversation back in the 90s with none other than Bill Janklow on SDPB when Dakota Midday was still called South Dakota Forum about consolidating counties and making two regental universities community colleges. He said he carried a "bloody shirt" for bringing a similar suggestion to the legislature and regents.

On June 8 voters in Clay County will either approve or reject spending $41 million to move services out of the courthouse built in 1912. Money has already been set aside to stabilize the historic structure that needs a new roof and tuck pointing. 

The board of directors of the Vermillion Chamber and Development Company is encouraging voters to pay for the construction of a new jail, a new law enforcement center, new court space and new government services offices then sell the courthouse to a developer for adaptive reuse without another site yet determined. 

Former judge and current Clay County legislator, Art Rusch, one of the few Republicans in South Dakota with any brains whatsoever opposes the bond issue. According to a source, Senator Rusch believes the facility can be renovated for about $15 million that might not bring the building up to code and staff would have to be relocated for three years during the retrofit. As presiding judge there for thirty years he’s probably thinking about his own place in county history.

It's the view of this interested party the consolidation of Vermillion and Clay County services is an idea whose time has come. Butte and Silver Bow County, Montana did it in 1977 where it has saved taxpayers millions in overlapping services. The City of Los Alamos, New Mexico and county of the same name merged in 1969. Albuquerque and Bernalillo County, New Mexico have considered consolidation at least twice so have Omaha and Douglas County, Nebraska. Sioux Falls and Minnehaha County, South Dakota thought hard about it in 2005.

The sale of the Clay County Courthouse to a dedicated and conscientious developer who would restore it for office space and more is one third way. Last year the Deadwood historic preservation fund awarded some $50,000 in outside grants, maybe even enough for more inclusive access.

It's true that South Dakota is no longer a safe place for Democrats but sanctuary cities or counties may help to keep the flight of talent to a bare minimum.

For a 30-year general obligation bond, the annual tax levy would be $157 per $100,000 of house value. If the bond fails to pass at the election, the current jail facility will be closed, and a tax increase will result regardless. Over the lifetime of the 30-year bond, $40 million would be spent covering the costs of transporting and housing inmates in neighboring counties. [VCDC Board Encourages A ‘Yes’ Vote On County’s $41 Million Bond Issue]

Learn more about South Dakota's brain drain at Bill Janklow's idea of public radio.