Commission rules to dissolve municipality status of Buffalo Chip

STURGIS, S.D. (KBHB) – In response to the recent Supreme Court decision, the Meade County Commission has officially ruled to dissolve the municipality status of the Buffalo Chip Campground.

The controversy surrounding the Buffalo Chip began in 2015 when the commission then allowed a vote to be held to incorporate the campground into a municipality.

The issue wound up at the Supreme Court, who, in November, reaffirmed a ruling by Fourth Circuit Judge Gordon Swanson, that it could not be a town based on several factors.

Swanson said Buffalo Chip was not lawfully incorporated as a municipality. He ordered that the town be precluded from exercising its corporate rights and be dissolved.

His order also stated that a copy of the judgement be filed and recorded in the office of the Secretary of State and in the Meade County Register of Deeds office.

Meade County Auditor Lisa Schieffer says she was contacted by the Secretary of State’s office and was told the judgment must also come before the Meade County Commission.

The judgement was filed with Register of Deeds and once the resolution was signed by the board chairman, it would be filed with the Secretary of State.

Commissioners unanimously approved the resolution.