HURON The Huron City Commission heard annual updates Monday evening from the Beadle County Humane Society and from the Huron Chamber & Visitors Bureau.
Kim Krueger, executive director of the Beadle County Humane Society, shared the work that BCHS has done in the last year. She reported that in 2024, 934 calls were made to BCHS, which was down from 2023. Through the first half of 2025, there have been 420 calls.
Krueger stated that 724 animals were serviced by the Humane Society in 2024, down very slightly from 737 in 2023. She proudly explained that BCHS continued to qualify as a no-kill shelter, which means less than ten percent of all animals served are euthanized. Krueger said that 34 cats and eight dogs were euthanized in 2024.
On a lighter note, Krueger was excited to announce that some notable memorials left to the Humane Society will allow for a shelter to be placed in the dog park for shade. The shelter is also going to extend the catio area of the building where animals can move in and outdoors freely as well as develop a fenced-in dog playground for dogs at the shelter.
BCHS has two major events coming up, the Four Paws Pool Party fundraiser at Splash Central, set for Saturday, Aug. 9, and the vendor fair at Ravine Lake, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 27.
Following Krueger, Brianna Johnson gave her first update as the new President/CEO of the Huron Chamber & Visitors Bureau. Johnson discussed the Huron Rising 2.0 meeting in 2024 with the community and the response to that among a number of committees that were formed to address community needs mentioned during that time.
Johnson highlighted the events in the city, such as the Karen Soccer tournament, which drew thousands of visitors to Huron. She noted that while many numbers are up in 2025 compared to 2024 in attendance and revenue, the 2024 year was generally down across the board from 2023.
One number that Johnson highlighted to explain this was the hotel occupancy, which is up by 35% in 2025 over the first half numbers from 2024, but this also includes multiple MX at the Dex events and a state girls basketball tournament that were all held in town and aided in those numbers.
The Chamber remains focused on pheasant season, and Johnson discussed events and marketing geared toward that season, but she also noted events done in coordination with groups such as Huron Connect that breathe life into the community, especially with events like the Burger Battle mid-winter to bring additional excitement and revenue to the town.
She highlighted the Parade of Lights on Nov. 28 and the Ag banquet on Dec. 5 among a host of upcoming events.
The meeting opened with a variance request by HMMI, address of 640 Arizona Ave. NW, to construct an addition to the current building that would require a zero-foot setback in an area where a 15-foot setback is required. The expansion for the business does come with some concerns regarding the air handling unit that could potentially lead to right-of-way next to the building being infringed upon, but that is part of another request that will come to the city.
After comments from the city engineer and commissioners were expressed regarding the precedent of the next portion of the project, which could potentially include ceding right-of-way, the commission unanimously approved the variance.
Commissioners also:
Approved the voluntary retirement of Dennis Bennett, assistant city engineer, effective Sept. 26. Bennett was thanked for 22 years of service to the city.
Approved the on-sale alcoholic beverage license application submitted by Ben Dragt for the Wolsey-Wessington golf tournament on July 26 at Broadland Creek Golf Course.
Approved the on-sale alcoholic beverage license application submitted by Ben Dragt for the Agtegra golf tournament on Aug. 1 at Broadland Creek Golf Course.
Approved a raffle permit for the S.D. State Fair rabbit department for Aug. 30 and Aug. 31 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day.
Approved the annual trailer court license renewals for Sheltered Trailer Court, 1500, 3rd St. SW; Huron Mobile Estates, 541 Ohio Ave. NW; Huron Mobile Court, 602 Jersey Ave. NE; Woodys Trailer Court, 1350 4th St. SW; and Prairie Villa, 1400 21st St. SW.
Approved a memorandum of understanding between the City of Huron and the State of South Dakota for use of a container truck and tractor truck during the State Fair.
After the public business meeting was concluded, the commission met with Human Resources and Solid Waste to discuss the additional staffing needs in the new facility currently as well as if the department were to take advantage of opportunities to work with commercial clients that the new facility provides.
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