SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - A new animal diagnostic lab at South Dakota State University in Brookings got a leg up today in the legislature's Joint Appropriation's Committee.
The bill now includes funding provisions that will be referenced in the state aid to education funding bill.
Nathan Sanderson of the Governor's office says the goal is to use property tax cuts authorized by last year's half-cent sales tax increase bill.
Sanderson says to take a portion of the ag land property tax savings and utilize that to pay for a portion of the bond. He says this bill pays for a portion of the funding of the facility, authorizes its construction and allows the building authority to bond for it.
Sanderson says the property tax needed will be included in Senate Bill 35, which sets property tax levies. He says the mechanism will reference the ag property tax levy in order to capture the savings granted to ag property taxes last year.
Senator John Wiik of Big Stone City says the need for a lab is obvious. Wiik says it is a state lab and he appreciates all the efforts made to try and make it happen even in the state's limited revenue situation.
The bill passed on a 16 to 0 vote, with a do pass recommendation. It will have to be approved by both chambers.
The funding would provide about $3.3 million to pay off just over $50 million in state bonds. The lab will cost around $60 million.