About the Council

City of Sioux Falls City Council Group Photo

Term of Office:

Council members are elected to serve one four-year term in either one of five Districts or three At-Large positions. Council members may serve a total of two consecutive terms. District Council Members must live within the district from which they are elected. City Council and Mayoral elections are held on even years. The job is part-time and the salary is set by City Charter. City Council Members are not eligible to participate in the City's employee benefit program. City Council Members employ the City Clerk's division and the Internal Audit division.

Council Powers & Duties:

The City Council is the legislative body of the City. The Council is responsible for setting City policy through ordinances and resolutions, and it adopts the City's budget. An ordinance has two readings which occur at separate Council meetings. Upon the second reading of the ordinance the Council takes action by voting. Ordinances require an affirmative vote by 5 or more Council members. If the Council adopts the ordinance, it becomes effective 20 days after publications in the Argus Leader.

Resolutions may be adopted on the night they are calendared on a City Council agenda. A majority vote of those present is required. If the Council adopts a resolution, it becomes effective 20 days after publication in the Argus Leader. If an ordinance or resolution is vetoed by the Mayor, the veto may be overridden by an affirmative vote by 6 or more Council members.

The Council may also take action by motion. Motions are effective immediately upon passage.

Council Members also serve on a number of other boards and commissions of intergovernmental agencies such as the South Eastern Council of Governments, the Urban Development Council, the Homeless Advisory Board, and the Metro Communications Agency.

Meetings:

Agendas, minutes, and video streaming of City Council meetings, informational meetings, and committee meetings are available here.

Council Meetings:

The City Council takes official action at City Council meetings which take place at 6 p.m. on the first three Tuesdays of every month at the Carnegie Town Hall, 235 West Tenth Street. The Mayor presides at City Council meetings but only votes when the Council has a tie vote.

Time for public testimony occurs during the agenda item called "Public Input," which occurs near the beginning of each City Council meeting. However, if a member of the public needs to speak to an item on the agenda, that should occur at the time the Council addresses that agenda item. The Mayor may limit the time allowed for public testimony.

Informational Meetings:

The City Council holds Informational Meetings at 4 p.m. on the first four Tuesdays of every month at the Carnegie Town Hall, 235 W. Tenth Street. An Informational Meeting may be held on the fifth Tuesday of the month on an as needed basis.

The agenda for any meeting can be obtained from the City Clerk's office at the Carnegie Town Hall, 235 W. Tenth Street or online at www.siouxfalls.gov. Council Meetings can be seen live on the City's cable channel, CityLink. Meetings are rebroadcast throughout the week. Check schedule for times. All Council meetings are open to the public.

Public Hearings:

The City Council is required to hold hearings on proposed ordinances, public improvements, property acquisitions, special assessments, utility charges, and the City budget. Generally these occur at the City Council meetings at 6 p.m. Public hearings may also be held at other times such as budget hearings.

Committee Meetings:

Council Committees are composed of three to four Council members. The Committees meet regularly, and the Council is best able to address the concerns of the administration and constituents during these meetings. Recommendations are then taken to the full Council, and action is taken at a City Council meeting.

Sioux Falls District Map:

The Sioux Falls Council District Map makes it easy to find your Council Member.

Contact Us:

The City Council welcomes your comments. Please contact the Council Members or Council staff for assistance.

Council Members:

Find Contact Info for Specific Council Member(s)

To Contact all Council Members: citycouncil@siouxfalls.gov

City Council Staff:

The City Council has appointed support staff to assist it in its role as the policy making and legislative body of the City.

  • The Chief of Legislation & Policy coordinates the day-to-day operations of the City Council, while monitoring and analyzing legislative activities on the federal, state, and local level.
  • The City Clerk division provides a legal record of Council meetings, ensures proper administration of legal documents acted on by the Council, and administers agenda and minutes posting and video streaming of the Council meetings and committees.
  • The Budget Analyst provides financial research and analytical support for the Council.
  • The Internal Audit division conducts internal audits of citywide operations to assess the effectiveness of controls, accuracy of records, and efficiency of operations. Internal Auditors provide audit reports to they City Council, which may include recommendations for corrective or preventative measures.

Contact Council Staff:

General Information:

(605) 367-8085