More information will ease hesitation around county consolidation, officials say

South Dakota lawmakers say questions about cost savings, merger impacts should be answered before public votes

Merging counties is basically a political impossibility in South Dakota — for now.

The uncertainty that comes with government reorganization coupled with turf wars and home-county pride quickly stalls talks of potentially combining county governments that across the state are in financial straights.

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But lawmakers at the state Capitol think they’ve found a solution that will create a “roadmap” for counties — and voters — to better vet the pros and cons of joining together with one another.

Right now, county consolidation can only happen if a majority of voters approve such a measure at the polls, and only after that occurs are details about cost savings, government operation reductions or expansions and shifts in tax equalization determined. And that’s a reality that’s keeping counties from even considering consolidation.

“The voters… make their decision without knowing comparative costs both before and after consolidation, they won’t know what the final boundary lines are and they won’t even know the name of the new county or where the new county seat is located,” Sen. David Johnson said, referring to how South Dakota law right now guides the process of merging counties.

That dilemma is why the Rapid City Republican has introduced Senate Bill 199, which proposes that prior to any public vote on county consolidation take place, a committee comprised of residents and elected official in each be formed to answer those questions.