Crime, future jail expansion lead to $1.5 million Minnehaha County opt out

Officials don't expect to levy property tax option until 2028

The Minnehaha County Commission approved a $1.5 million property tax opt-out Tuesday, the first of several opt-outs that are expected over the next several years.

County officials don’t expect to have to levy the opt-out until 2028. It was part of a broader discussion about the county’s budget. A provisional budget of about $132.7 million is expected to be adopted for public inspection next week. The commission will vote on the final fiscal year 2026 budget in September.

A $1.6 million opt-out that the county took years ago expires next year, and the county will need additional opt-outs in the coming years, said Susan Beaman, the county’s budget and finance officer. Absent more opt-out money beyond what the state allows the county to collect, the county’s reserves would be completely depleted in a few years.

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