City Council Briefing | October 13, 2026

The City of Sioux Falls City Council briefing on October 13, 2026, focused primarily on the Regulatory Oversight Committee’s planned review of data-center regulation. The committee will examine city, state, federal, and Public Utilities Commission authority; develop definitions for different types of data centers; gather public and expert input; and consider ordinance proposals. The stated goal is to report recommendations or findings to the full council by January 12, 2027. Public submissions are due November 27, and committee meetings are scheduled for November 9, November 30, and January 4, with a joint City Council–Lincoln County Commission discussion planned for October 27. No votes, contract awards, or purchasing decisions were reported, and no procurement activity was identified.

Councilors discussed the proposed Gemini data center, noting its reported 500-megawatt demand and that the site is already zoned light industrial with a preliminary subdivision plan approved. They requested a city attorney’s opinion on how any future ordinances could apply to the previously zoned site; no position or moratorium was adopted, and the committee said it would consider public input and data with an open mind. The briefing also touched on the Smithfield relocation litigation, which councilors said they could not discuss in detail while it is pending.