Dave Baumeister | County Correspondent
SIOUX FALLS – The Sioux Empire Fair will be ready to open tomorrow, Saturday, Aug. 1, at 10 a.m. for their 81st year, fair director Scott Wick told Minnehaha County Commissioners at their July 28 meeting.
Wick again talked about protective measures in place, including one million doses of hand sanitizer for the eight-day event.
Also, there are 80 hand sanitizer dispensers located around the grounds with twice as many hand-washing stations as in previous years.
They are expecting the fair to be at around 80% of what they would usually have, and the most conspicuous absence will be all of the 4-H exhibits, as their national organization is prohibiting participation.
However, Wick said that entries in open-class shows have increased this year.
There will be no horse shows inside the Expo Building, due to concerns from the judges.
But referring to the extended forecast, Wick said the weather is looking positive, and he is planning on a good – even if slightly different – fair week.
Commissioner Cindy Heiberger said she was excited for the fair.
“People are looking for something to do, and they feel safer being outside.”
2021 budget
As per state law, this week, commissioners approved their provisional 2021 budget of just under $115 million.
Commission Administrator Carol Muller repeated what she said at the last meeting, that the provisional budget does not call for any more money to be spent from the opt-out approved last year.
At that time, they opted out for $6.5 million, which could be used over the next 25 years.
Last year they needed $1.9 million to balance the budget, but by not using additional money on the 2021 budget, taxpayers will not see an increase in their property taxes, Muller said.
Figured into the provisional budget is also a potential increase of 15% for health insurance, a 2% raise for all non-elected personnel, two new employees in the sheriff’s department, and two new employees with the public defender’s office.
The Minnehaha Commission has its regular meetings each Tuesday at 9 a.m. on the second floor of the county administration building at 6th and Minnesota in Sioux Falls.
These meetings are open to all, and public comment is always encouraged.