2025 in focus

Plans from Governmental Entities in County

Carleen Wild, Enterprise staff
Posted 1/8/25

In the coming weeks, we will feature stories highlighting what Moody County communities can expect in the New Year. From infrastructure projects to community initiatives, 2025 promises significant …

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2025 in focus

Plans from Governmental Entities in County

Posted

In the coming weeks, we will feature stories highlighting what Moody County communities can expect in the New Year. From infrastructure projects to community initiatives, 2025 promises significant changes across the area.
You won’t want to miss learning what’s happening across the county — next week we hope to learn more out of the city of Colman, learn more about changes coming to the Colman-Egan school district, we’ll hear from the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe and look at what else might be happening throughout the county.
This week, we start with the cities of Flandreau and Egan and their plans for transformation, along with the Flandreau Public School District.

Flandreau’s plans for progress

“We had a great 2024, and I expect the same for 2025,” said Mayor Dan Sutton.
“We have a progressive, forward-thinking council and a hardworking, dedicated group of staff and employees.”
Sutton outlined several key initiatives to watch for in 2025:
● Ambulance services: Finding a reliable, sustainable solution to ensure consistent emergency response.
● Housing development: Collaborating with the Flandreau Housing Authority on a new residential project.
● Dam revitalization: Reimagining the dam area to enhance its functionality and appeal.
● Community projects: Partnering with the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe (FSST) on a bike path and replacing the Crescent Street bridge.
● Infrastructure upgrades: Improving water, sewer, and streets in southeast Flandreau, alongside airport improvements and a runway expansion.

Ambulance Service: Ongoing Debate
For those unfamiliar with the ongoing debate between the city and county, the ambulance service conversation has been tense. The focus is on how the city could or should support the escalating costs of operating the County Ambulance service, given that most calls originate in Flandreau or at Avera Flandreau Hospital.
More than a year ago, county officials asked the city to contribute an annual stipend of at least $25,000 to help with staffing and other expenses. Few counties in the state provide the service Moody County has since the late 1980s, when a private entity handed over operations due to rising costs and low reimbursement rates.
Little has changed — the issue is one plaguing rural communities and cities nationwide. Finding what both sides feel is a fair solution remains a sticking point. A new ambulance task force will convene in early 2025, including city officials, FSST leaders, community members, and county officials — if the county agrees to participate. County officials are set to decide this week whether they will take a seat at the table.

Housing Development Stalled
Talks about a new multi-family rental complex in Flandreau stalled earlier last year when the primary developer pulled out. The city continues to face a shortage of rental properties for residents at all stages of life, from young families to retirees.
City officials aim to revive plans for a development along the north side of Broad Street, a long-vacant field, to provide housing options for a variety of needs.


Dam Revitalization Moves Forward
The dam revitalization committee, comprising FSST leaders, city officials, local fishermen, residents, and county officials, will reconvene in the coming weeks to learn more about a federal grant secured for reconstructing a corridor across the Big Sioux River near the Old Mill Dam.
The original bridge, once a vital connection between downtown Flandreau and Flandreau Indian School, was removed in 2022 after being closed for nearly a decade due to safety concerns. While the community had been divided on rebuilding, the land was deeded to the FSST in 2021, and plans for a new structure are now in motion through a federal grant from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. (For more information, see front page article)
In addition to the bridge, the committee plans to explore recreational opportunities along the riverbanks.

Infrastructure Upgrades Continue
Essential upgrades to water lines and electrical systems will continue in 2025, as many historic lines are nearing — or exceeding — their expected lifespan.
Motorists and residents should prepare for work along Pipestone Avenue, a major thoroughfare in town, set to begin later this year.

Egan to showcase quality of life, improve infrastructure in 2025

The City of Egan, nestled between I-29 and Pipestone, is gearing up to attract more visitors in 2025.
City Council Chair Cody Chamblin shared that local leaders are focused on showcasing the town’s welcoming atmosphere, close-knit community, and growing opportunities for family-friendly events — all while enhancing infrastructure and expanding recreational offerings.
These initiatives aim to make Egan an even more vibrant place to visit—and potentially call home. The region is seeing an increasing number of multi-generational families returning, alongside newcomers drawn to the area’s affordable housing options, rural setting, and available acreages.
Chamblin outlined the following projects to watch for in the new year:
Infrastructure Updates: Plans are in place for improvements to the city’s infrastructure, including updates to the water lift station and road work. Improvements are scheduled for spring and summer.
Expanding Ball Diamond Use: After successfully hosting a baseball and softball tournament in 2024, the city looks to expand use of the ball diamond along the Big Sioux River. The city hopes to host more tournaments and add league play to bring visitors to local businesses.
Senior Center Upgrades: The senior center is also receiving updates. A new roof was installed last summer, and volunteers contributed time and donations to paint the building. In 2025, the city plans to update the flooring.
Parks and Recreation: The city is working on additional improvements to the ball diamond and exploring options for new playground equipment. Residents have also expressed interest in adding a pickleball court behind the downtown gazebo, which the city believes would be a great addition given the growing popularity of the sport.

Key updates for Flandreau Public School District families in new year

Flandreau School Superintendent Rick Weber outlined upcoming changes for 2025 that could impact schools on state and federal levels:
● State budget and education funding: How public schools will fare under a new governor’s policies.
● School voucher system: The potential use of public funds for private school tuition.
● Federal education policy: Possible implications of dismantling the U.S. Department of Education.
● New leadership: A new superintendent for the district.

Education Funding
As state legislators prepare for the 2025 session in Pierre, Gov. Kristi Noem is poised for a potential new role in Washington, D.C. Noem is widely expected to be confirmed as Secretary of Homeland Security. If that happens, and hearings are expected later this month, Noem would step down, leaving Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden to assume her duties.
The leadership transition raises questions for local school officials about directives from state lawmakers and the future of education funding, particularly for ongoing and new programs.

School Vouchers
Among the recurring debates in Pierre is the push for school vouchers, increasingly referred to as Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). During her December budget address, Noem proposed allocating $4 million to establish ESAs. The program would provide about $3,000 annually per student for private school tuition or alternative education costs.
Supporters, including the advocacy group Americans for Prosperity, argue ESAs improve educational outcomes for students who don’t thrive in traditional public schools.
Statistics show that post-COVID, families continue to seek alternative options for their children’s education. South Dakota remains one of the few states without a voucher system. Opponents say the plan would harm public education.
“This budget proposal ... diverts taxpayer dollars to private schools, undermining the foundation of our public education system,” said South Dakota Education Association President Loren Paul, in a press release.
“While the program may seem small, the intent is clear: to grow the voucher program over time… Public schools will lose thousands of dollars in state aid, yet operational costs will remain unchanged.”

Federal Education Policy
On a national level, educators are bracing for potential changes under President-elect Trump, who has pledged to overhaul, if not shut down, the Department of Education. Trump has criticized the department as being infiltrated by “radicals, zealots, and Marxists” and has proposed cutting federal funding for schools teaching “critical race theory, transgender issues, and other inappropriate content.”
The federal government is said to contribute 8–10% of public school funding nationally, with some districts relying more heavily on these funds than others. Even small cuts however could have significant ripple effects.

New Leadership
Locally, the Flandreau School District is preparing for a leadership transition as Superintendent Rick Weber retires at the end of the school year. Weber has served the district as an educator, coach, athletic director, and superintendent. The school board plans to select his successor at a special meeting in February.