SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO-AM) Sioux Falls Mayor Mike Huether has issued the first veto of his seven years in office to try to save the proposed $25 million city administration building downtown.
The veto forces City Council to reconsider its 5-3 vote to block the bonds that would have funded the project. Six votes are required to override Huether's veto, meaning either Rick Kiley, Rex Rolfing, or Michelle Erpenbach would need to change their no votes to a yes to cancel out the Mayor's decision. Greg Neitzert, who voted yes, says he thinks all eight council members have cemented their stance on the issue. "Absent something pretty extraordinary, I believe this building will go forward," he told KELO Radio News on Wednesday night.
"I respect their service, however, I disagree with their recent vote on this long awaited need for our citizens and our employees." said Mayor Huether at Wednesday's news conference at Carnegie Hall.
Huether says the city has done its homework on the project.
"There has been more study, there has been more due diligence, and there has been more collaboration on this particular topic than on the events center and the indoor pool combined." said a stern-face Huether.
He argued that using bonds now will save the city money and waiting will cost the taxpayers millions in the long run, and that leasing the space is not a responsible option.
Neitzert, who represents the Northwest district, says the Mayor's leasing argument holds no water with him. "Right now the city leases one building for $120 thousand a year. The city has the option to buy that building for $1.2 million." The building he's referring to is the city attorney building near city hall. He added "I don't know that I would spend $25 million to solve a $120 thousand a year problem."
Huether also said that the new building near 8th and Dakota Avenue will help transform what many consider a less than pleasing gateway into the downtown into something that "we can all be proud of."
Copy of Huether's veto message to Council:
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1/#inbox/1562e6647b81e111?projector=1
