Signer of $350M One Stop leases appears before House panel

Legislators pepper South Dakota official with questions about 30-year deals to house government employees in Sioux Falls, Rapid City

Darin Seeley testifies before the House State Affairs Committee. (Austin Goss/The Dakota Scout)

PIERRE – Lawmakers grilled a state official Monday afternoon over two 30-year government office leases, scrutinizing the deals that will cost taxpayers more than $350 million.

While considering a measure that would restrain the governor’s ability to enter into long-term, high-value rental agreements, the House State Affairs Committee lobbed dozens of questions at Bureau of Human Resources and Administration Commissioner Darin Seeley. Lawmakers questioned the state's decision to enter decades-long contracts with a private developer for custom-built office space designed to centralize government services and state employees.

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