The Custer City Council adopted an ordinance on its second reading for a Gross Receipts Tax intended to fund the Chamber of Commerce. Councilpersons Pechota, Jenniges, Ryan, Fischer, Nielsen, and Whittaker all voted yes to adopt Ordinance No. 936 at the Oct. 6 meeting.
In other business, the council approved a new malt beverage and South Dakota farm wine license for Xtreme Sports Simulators, located at 750 West Mt. Rushmore Road, Suite 2.
The council approved several motions related to new business items:
- Attorney Kaleb Peterson took his Oath of Office.
- A non-subdivision plat was approved for Lot 6R Block 3 Stone Hill Subdivision, requested by applicant Jo Ellen Peters.
- Appointments for the Planning Commission were approved for Camillia Belland as Alternate No. 1 and Paul Higgs as Alternate No. 2, both for three-year terms ending Oct. 6, 2028.
- The Custer Arts Council received approval for a fireworks permit and the use of Pageant Hill on Jan. 17, 2026, for the Burning Beetle Event. This approval also included using the high school parking lot for the Torch March, the use of Bluebell Lane and Pine Street, use of the city’s extra port-a-pots, and for the city to collect Christmas trees on Pageant Hill to be used for the pyre.
- A contract for 2026 Cemetery Caretaker was accepted and approved with J & M Lawn Care LLC for $44,000.
- The council authorized Mayor Robert Brown to negotiate fees and terms of agreement with JEO Consulting Group for architectural services for the Custer Community Center Campus.
- A sidewalk variance was granted to Premier Family Eye Care and Lloyd Construction for 23 N First St., exempting them from reconstructing the existing sidewalk on the south side of the property. Councilperson Ryan cast the lone no vote on this item.
- A quote not to exceed $37,000 was accepted from Kainz Powerlines Inc. to bury power lines in the West Dam and Golf Course area, with Black Hills Energy providing materials and the Golf Course reimbursing the city $4,000.
- Two change orders with Moss Rock Landscaping Inc. for West Dam Phase 2 were approved: Change Order No. 3 for $17,600, contingent upon a signed reimbursement agreement with the Golf Course, and Change Order No. 4 for $9,400.
The council also approved the Oct. 6, 2025, claims list, which totaled $469,388. The meeting, which included a unanimous vote to go into and out of executive session for proposed or pending litigation, adjourned at 6:17 p.m.