Rapid City Civic Funding Questioned

Jordan Mason claims city councilors acted improperly by passing a bond proposal just before an ordinance that would change how sales taxes could be used was to take effect, according to the Rapid City Journal.

Documents note Mason asked the circuit court.

Ordinance 6018 passed in November and is set to become law Dec. 19. The ordinance combines tax revenues from the city’s vision and capital improvements programs into one account, and Mason apparently has a problem with the fact that funds for city projects could be pushed toward the civic expansion.

“We’re using something that helps improve our roads, our infrastructure, as collateral,” Mason told the Journal. “I’m not going to say, one way or another, whether that’s a good idea, but I believe that citizens have a right to discuss it.” Petitions are being circulated calling for a referendum on the civic center project funding, the paper said. The deadline is Jan. 2.