Rapid City Special City Council 07-29-2026

Rapid City Special City Council 2027 budget presentations, July 29, 2026: Human Resources presented a proposed budget of approximately $1.7 million, down about $14,000 from 2026. The department is budgeting an estimated $68,000 annually for a citywide learning management system; its expanded employee assistance program is estimated at $21,000, with no significant cost increase. IT reported major cost pressures from software subscriptions and hardware: Office 365 is expected to cost about $500,000 annually after the first year, which is being funded through a Secure South Dakota program. The department also requested $60,000 for expanded cybersecurity software and cited $40,000 for GovAI. The director said Council had authorized up to $400,000 the prior month for accelerated computer purchases amid rapidly rising prices. No new procurement award or spending vote occurred during this meeting.

Parks and Recreation presented a proposed 2027 budget of $15.2 million and described upcoming parks, maintenance, and recreation needs. The department cited more than $12 million in Vision Fund support and approximately $18.5 million in major projects, including a roughly $3.5 million Canyon Lake Park pond-wall project; grants and TIF funding are supporting other work. Meadowbrook Golf Course irrigation is estimated at $3–4 million in a future funding cycle. Council members asked staff to identify what resources would be needed to expand summer camp capacity and address the waiting list. Parks also plans to update food-truck and special-event policies. The meeting’s formal votes were on the agenda, a recess, and adjournment.