County Funding Bill

A bill that would have set up a funding source for regional county jails was killed in the South Dakota legislature last week.  That continued a trend of lawmakers killing bills that offered aid to counties.

House Majority Leader Will Mortenson of Pierre says county budget increases were limited for a reason.

Mortenson says counties have the ability to raise dollars through property tax opt outs. 

Mortenson says the state can’t help build regional jails. 

Several legislators are calling for a summer study of county finances and possible reforms.