RAPID CITY, S.D. – Rapid City Mayor Jason Salamun presented the proposed 2027 City budget to the Rapid City Council Monday night.

Salamun proposed a $312.3 million 2027 budget for the city of Rapid City – down 7.4 percent or $25 million from the 2026 proposed budget of $337.3 million. This marks the second year the proposed budget has shown a decrease.

“I believe this budget reflects a community that is fiscally responsible, that invests in public safety and quality of life, that strengthens infrastructure and prepares for our future,” Salamun said. “Because at the end of the day this is all about the next generation.”

Salamun said the budget proposal included the largest investment in roads in Rapid City history – $65 million.

The $65 million investment includes more than $3 million for mill and overlay projects to rehabilitate roads before road reconstruction is needed; $27.8 million in new road construction through TIF projects, including East Anamosa Street, Healing Way and the Highway 79/Old Folsom Road intersection; $17 million in new road construction through the Strategic Growth Fund; more than $16.7 million in road reconstruction through the Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) program, including Wonderland Drive, Skyline Drive and continued work in the Dakota and Robbinsdale subdivisions; and $450,000 annually for a proactive road crew to extend road life, improve travel conditions and strengthen winter storm response.

The 2027 budget proposal includes more than $13.8 million for continued enhancements to community safety. The enhancements include $9 million to complete the Homestead Fire, Police and Mini Library building through TIF funds; $3.2 million to complete the new Northside Police Precinct using TIF, General and CIP funds; more than $1.4 million to hire and train 15 new firefighters; and $164,000 to hire and train six new ambulance personnel in late 2027 to expand emergency medical coverage.

The budget proposal includes $82 million for enhancing community quality of life. This total includes $76 million for the indoor sports fieldhouse beginning construction on the north side of Rapid City.

Another $6 million invested for four parks, funded through TIF, CDBG and CIP. This effort includes new Homestead and Knollwood Parks and the refurbishment of Main Street Square and Robbinsdale Park, in addition to Johnson Ranch, Canyon Lake and Vickie Powers parks, sports fields and other spaces already planned.

Revenue for the city’s budget comes from a variety of sources. Sales tax accounts for $98,736,636, utility fees account for $56,873,696, property taxes account for $26,861,091, tickets, leases and user fees account for $27,546,970, grants and other funding account for $23,516,273, and a handful of other sources complete the revenue picture.

“There are no property tax increases in this budget,” Salamun said. “I am not recommending a CPI increase for 2027 primarily to keep things affordable for our homeowners because we all know property taxes are just too high.”

In the proposed budget, public safety takes the largest chunk of the city budget claiming $59,800,577, capital improvement expenses account for $59,039,161, The Monument and Rapid City Regional Airport claim more than $20 million each, the Vision Fund claims $19,718,275, and a variety of other needs round out the expenses.

Other proposals in the 2027 budget included an internal review initiative to supplement the existing external audit process and investing in the maintenance facility.

“This will only help our external audits,” Salamun said. “But it will help ensure we are reducing waste and doing things the right way. That’s an initiative we’d like to begin in 2027.”

An investment to relocate the maintenance facility where the city’s street division is currently located near South Dakota Mines campus. Doing so would allow the city to repurpose that land.

“I’m going to bring forward to you in the near future an MOU that I would like to work with South Dakota Mines, Western Dakota Tech and Elevate Rapid City to determine best use,” Salamun told the council.

Beginning Tuesday, the 2027 proposed budget can be accessed online at the City’s home page at www.rcgov.org in the Community Bookmark section. The proposed budget includes explanation and duties of the City’s departments and a breakdown of budget line items. There is also an explanation of City revenues and expenditures, along with a review of the City’s active TIF districts, allocation of the City’s Vision Fund, descriptions of Capital Improvement Project (CIP) allocations and planned projects for 2027-2031.

City Council leadership has set aside four days of special sessions for City department budget presentations and discussions regarding the proposed 2027 City budget. The sessions are scheduled July 27 at 3:30 p.m. (Fire Department) and 4:30 p.m. (Police); July 28 at 3:30 p.m. (The Monument) and 4 p.m. (Public Works); July 29 at 3:30 p.m. (Human Resources), 4 p.m. (Information Technology), 4:30 p.m. (Mayor’s Office) and 5 p.m. (Parks and Recreation); and July 30 at 3:30 p.m. (City Attorney’s Office), 4 p.m.  (Community Development), 4:30 p.m. (Rapid City Regional Airport), 5 p.m. (Rapid City Public Library) and 5:30 p.m. (Finance).