SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) -- Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken cautioned on his Facebook page recently that there will be unexpected challenges ahead for the city budget.
"There's are some curve balls that have been thrown at this budget. We have this Emerald Ash Borer.."
The TenHaken Administration was briefing City Council that fighting the infestation may cost over $11 million over the next ten years. There will be the cost of the equipment and manpower, and the replacing of ash trees.
The city's proactive plan would begin with selective removal of ash trees in the core part of Sioux Falls, removing 33 percent of trees in 2019. A key to the plan will be: 'start early. start replanting.'
As part of the city's presentation to Council, a stark 'before and after' picture of Toledo, Ohio was shown, as an example of what not to do to fight this tree killer.