Nominating petitions are currently open for the new board of directors that will govern the Grant County ambulance tax district.
Five directors will be elected to the board. Each will represent a commissioner district.
The deadline for filing a nomination petition is Tuesday, June 13, at 5 p.m. Petitions may be filed in the office of the county auditor during regular business hours. They may also be sent by mail. If a petition is sent by registered mail by 5 p.m. on June 13, it is considered filed. Petitions must have at least 25 signatures from people residing in the district that the interested individual is seeking to represent.
If multiple petitions are submitted for the same district’s director position, there will be an election in the district on Thursday, July 13, as the election must occur within 60 days of the resolution’s filing. Conversely, if no one files for an open director role, an individual may be appointed by the elected directors.
The board, a created taxing authority, is its own governing body. South Dakota state law gives the board the ability to levy a tax and a special assessment for the district.
Under state law, all directors and officers will be elected for two years. However, in the first election, the vice-president will be elected for a one-year term. Additionally, one half, or as close to one half as possible, of the elected directors will be selected by lot to serve one-year terms.
According to Karen Layher, commission assistant, the process has moved quickly and will continue to do so. Immediately after the announcement of the board members, whether through petition, election or appointment, the board will convene to elect leadership, including president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer.
“We’re wanting people to serve,” said Layher. “It isn’t a monthly meeting. It’s an annual meeting to oversee what is needed for the ambulance district.”
The new tax district will support the Grant-Roberts Ambulance Service. The decision to form the district was passed unanimously by the Grant County Commissioners during a special meeting on Tuesday, April 11.
“I hope there are people willing to step forward. [The board] is a good thing – it’s about keeping the community strong and building the community. We have a lot going for Milbank and Grant County as a whole, so let’s keep moving forward,” said Layher.
–Emelia Enquist
