Happy Friday! Megan here.

Weather check: Humid and maybe rainy

👀 Help me help you: I already know you're cool because you're reading local news right now. But I'm looking for a little extra help in shaping coverage which is why I have a (drumroll please) quick civic engagement survey for you from some journalism research friends of mine! By taking the 10-15 minute survey, you'll be entered to win a $25 Amazon gift card OR a super cool Sioux Falls Simplified tote bag.

By golly, I'll do it for the tote!

This weekend, I've got a simplified look at what Mayor Paul TenHaken wants to spend money on next year. You'll also meet the folks behind Siouxland Libraries impressive Instagram page. Plus, catch up on lots of Super Simplified Stories ahead of the weekend.

And now, news:

CITY

What's in Mayor Paul TenHaken's proposed 2025 budget

Simplified: Mayor Paul TenHaken on Thursday unveiled a $781 million budget proposal for next year to a standing-room-only crowd at Carnegie Town Hall. Here's a simplified look at what's included.

Why it matters

  • This is the first time in TenHaken's tenure as mayor that he's proposed a budget lower than the year prior.
    • Each year since taking office (until now), TenHaken's proposed budget has broken the record for largest in city history – starting with a $498 million proposed budget for 2019 and maxing out at a proposed $790 million budget last year.
  • Additionally, TenHaken noted the impacts of inflation on city projects, and he said the current budget was put together not taking into account the potential ramifications of Initiated Measure 28, which, if passed in November, would mean the state could no longer collect sales tax on groceries and other consumables.
  • TenHaken's speech announcing the budget emphasized past decisions that were transformational to the city, such as creating the Washington Pavilion or building the Premier Center. He also noted opportunities to make similar decisions this year with the proposed aquatics bond and the opportunity to buy eight acres of land near downtown, commonly known as the Riverline District.
"We stand at a pivotal moment with incredible opportunities to take care of today for a better tomorrow and transform Sioux Falls, while maintaining fiscal responsibility," TenHaken said.

Show me the numbers

TL;DR

Super Simplified Stories

  • 'Very good' roads. A third-party vendor assessed the condition of all of Sioux Falls's streets last fall, and the resulting survey found that streets are overall in "very good" condition, scoring a 73 out of 100 on the pavement condition index. You can see your road and the condition of specific roads across town here.
  • Council (reluctantly) approves higher price tag for Elmwood clubhouse. The City Council voted 6-2 to approve a more than $6 million contract to build a new clubhouse at the Elmwood golf course after two deferrals and another 40 minutes of discussion Thursday night. Councilors across the board expressed frustration that the cost rose from an estimate of $3.5 to $4 million last year. The two councilors who opposed the contract were David Barranco and Miranda Basye.
  • Zoo to host Community Appreciation Days. The Great Plains Zoo will host three days in the coming months with discounted admission. On Friday, Aug. 2; Monday, Sept. 2; and Monday, Oct. 14, you can visit the zoo for only $5.
  • New stop for mobile grocery store. The Eat Well Sioux Falls Mobile Market is expanding its reach with a new weekly stop at Lowell Elementary. Beginning July 26, the Mobile Market will be open from 1 to 6 p.m. every Friday at Lowell Elementary School, 710 W. 18th St, Sioux Falls. You’ll find the Mobile Market parked on Prairie Avenue between 17th and 18th streets on the west side of the school.
  • More money, more homes. The Wells Fargo Foundation this week announced a $50,000 grant awarded to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls. That'll help fund the construction of two new single-family homes in partnership with Harrisburg CTE Academy and Sioux Falls CTE Academy, and it'll also fund the rehabilitation of a home the nonprofit built in 2017 and purchased back from the homeowner last year.

COMMUNITY

Why you should follow the library on Instagram

Simplified: The folks running Siouxland Libraries' social media accounts are [insert whatever the cool new word is for "cool"]. They've got rizz? Having a brat summer? In their Instagram era? Whatever you call it, it's entertaining, and they talked to Sioux Falls Simplified about how it all comes together.

Why it matters

  • The library has been active on social media for some time, but the organization's Instagram page has seen hundreds more followers (about a 30% increase) since Library Associate Hannah Voundry took over the page in December. A big part of that was a viral video from the solar eclipse earlier this year.
  • One of the main goals is just to show the public that libraries are still relevant, Voundry said, that they're places where you can find fun, get popular books (even your BookTok reading list) and use a wide variety of free resources.
  • Voundry attributes part of the library's successes on social media to the fact that they're not there to sell anything. Instead, the goal of posts is to have fun and give people a taste of what local libraries have to offer – something public libraries across the country have found success doing on social media.
"Social media is storytelling, and we love stories," said Emily Harris, digital services librarian.

What makes for good posts?

THIS AND THAT

What I'm falling for this weekend:

ICYMI

More Simplified Stories

Stuff to do: July 24-30
Here’s a look at what’s happening this week.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa
How moms on Instagram are banding together for teachers
The Class Act fundraiser aims to help teachers offset out-of-pocket expenses for their classrooms.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa
This program helps create a standard of care for poverty
The Helpline Center is working to bring a new model of social service to Sioux Falls – one that treats poverty like a medical condition rather than a character flaw. Here’s what you need to know about Transitions to Success.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa

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Thank you

Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including Live on Stage, Dakota Adventure Supply, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, Panther Premier Print Solutions, Barre3 Sioux Falls, the Great Plains Zoo, and the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.