SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO-AM) Despite the petition drive being rejected, the citizens of Sioux Falls may still be able to vote on the fate of the $22 million city administration building.
City Councilors Theresa Stehley and Pat Starr will introduce an ordinance at the next council meeting calling for an advisory election on the building, similar to the public vote on the Sanford Premier Events Center.
"I really believe the community wants a vote and I think they are looking to the city council to come up with some leadership to make this thing happen," Stehley tells KELO Radio News. The ordinance calls for the advisory election to be held on June 8 next year, same day as the school board election. Stehley believes a majority of council will support the ordinance.
The pressure for council to do something ratcheted up after the Sioux Falls City Clerk rejected the petition drive to bring the building to a public vote because the signatures were submitted on the wrong form. The 'Stop the Funding' campaign was considering its options, including legal action, but may now wait and see what happens with the advisory election idea.
Councilor Stehley says elected city officials must now take the lead.
"The mayor could join into this with the council and we could work together to put this to a vote for the people", says Stehley.
Mayor Mike Huether has been adamant in his support for the new administration building, saying it is the most prudent use of tax dollars as the city continues to grow. Bonds to raise money to pay for the project were set to be issued after October 1, so Huether would have to relent and delay the bond sale, to accommodate a June 2017 advisory election.