Your weekend, simplified: Nov. 8, 2024

Happy Friday! Megan here.

Weather check: Some rain and wind on the way

Status check: How are you doing? I know I've heard from several folks who are feeling a lot of feelings about how the election played out. I also want to thank all of you for the kind words you sent me about Sioux Falls Simplified's election coverage.

• Here's my "call to action" for you: Get engaged at the local level. That's where change starts. Keep paying attention to your local government leaders, tell them what you want them to focus on, advocate for yourself at the local level because all of that work will eventually matriculate up to the state and federal levels. It all starts here.
  • So keep reading local news, and I'll do my best to give you opportunities to keep participating in our local democracy. And, if you want to add your support to ensuring Sioux Falls Simplified is here to stay, please consider becoming a paid member:

This week, I've got a look at how ballot counting works and why it took so long to get results in Minnehaha County. You'll also find a closer look at voter turnout. Plus, the Sioux Falls City Council is ready to move forward with a bond for new pools – I've got the latest for you here.

And now, news:

ELECTIONS

Why did it take so long to get results in Minnehaha County?

Simplified: Hours after the presidential race was called, ballot measure results were in for the state and most South Dakotans knew who'd be representing them in Pierre, Minnehaha County voters were still waiting on election results well into the afternoon Wednesday. County Auditor Leah Anderson said she has no regrets for how things went, and she chatted with Sioux Falls Simplified about how the process works.

Why it matters

• More than 430,000 ballots were cast in Minnehaha County this election cycle– including about 29,000 absentee ballots and 2,000 ballots from overseas residents.
• Those absentee ballots – particularly the ones coming from residents abroad – are more time consuming to process, Anderson said. She also had challenges with the absentee board, getting them together and getting them to get through full precincts so those ballots could be run through tabulator machines.
• The slow results have faced some criticism from state lawmakers, including Rep. Tony Venhuizen (R), who tweeted that it was "embarrassing" that the state of Florida was nearly through ballot counting before Minnehaha County reported results. Rep. Kadyn Wittman called the delays "unacceptable," and said they're "undermining public trust in our election system."
• But Anderson said she doesn't think anything could've been done differently. She invited anyone who criticized the process to come volunteer to help next time.

"I don't have any regrets," she said. "It just takes time, and people just need to know that it takes time. We live in a society where people want instant results, and you can't always have instant results. We need accurate results."

How does ballot counting work?

CITY

Why City Council may not be ready to pass an aquatics bond

Simplified: Sioux Falls City Councilors on Wednesday spent nearly an hour discussing the specifics of a potential $77 million aquatics bond. The big takeaway? The city and council don't yet see eye-to-eye on the total bond amount or the definition of what a "recreation center" is.

Why it matters

• The city has been talking about the need to replace aging pools at Kuehn and Frank Olson Parks for several years. Those discussions culminated with a proposed $77 million bond unveiled by the city in April.
• Since then, the city has already spent $9 million to purchase the former Sanford Wellness Center on the west side of town – money that was intended to be part of the bond, but instead came from city reserves with the understanding that those funds would later be reimbursed when the council passed the bond.
• Now, though, some councilors are looking to put some solid budgetary constraints around these pool projects. Councilors Curt Soehl and Miranda Basye had proposed a resolution to keep the bond amount at no more than $68 million.
  • That resolution was ultimately withdrawn by Soehl after discussion during Tuesday's council meeting, in which he was reassured that the bond the city intends to present in the coming weeks will be able to be amended by councilors without delaying the entire project any further.

"These are important issues for us as a council to set some limits on what we can do and how much money we’re going to borrow and spend," Soehl said. "I want these pools done in the worst way, but I don't want to get to an all or nothing vote."

How did we get here?

TL;DR

Super Simplified Stories

• River Greenway is ready to go. The city next week will celebrate the completion of Phase Three of the River Greenway, located adjacent to the Steel District along the river between Sixth Street and Falls Park. The project will include Lloyd Landing, with a riverwalk path, a lighted shelter, a dog relief station and turf area, a selfie station and river access. The historic low-head dam is also being replaced as part of the project – funded in part by the Lloyd family.
• Meet your new county commissioners. Voters in Minnehaha County will see one new face and one returning on the County Commission after this week's election. Dean Karsky was elected to another term, along with newcomer Cole Heisey. Both Republican men beat out independent Anny Libengood in Tuesday's election.
  • Meanwhile, in Lincoln County, Republican Betty Otten beat out incumbent James C Jibben to represent District 2 on the Lincoln County Commission.

More Super Simplified Stories

• Lincoln County voters turned out. Voters south of 57th Street were more apt to make it to the polls this election, according to county turnout results from the South Dakota Secretary of State. Just shy of 76% of Lincoln County voters cast a ballot compared to 69.9% of voters in Minnehaha County. Statewide voter turnout was 69.9%.
• Ice ribbon details revealed. The City Council this week got an update on Jacobson Plaza in which they learned the costs to skate on the new ice ribbon – $3 for skate rentals and $5 for a 45-minute time slot. The city also plans to work with Washington Pavilion Management, Inc. to provide food in the warming house at the new park – an agreement expected to cost more than $300,000 over the next four and a half years.
• BIN-GO Shop Local is on. Don't forget to pick up a bingo card at participating downtown businesses. Shop locally, and you can win prizes worth up to $250. Get the details here.

THIS AND THAT

What I'm falling for this week:

• Willow
• Hot Nutella
• You. Be excellent to yourself.

ICYMI

More Simplified Stories

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Oh, by the way

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