Counties facing budget crunch because of weather

YANKTON, S.D. (WNAX) – Governor Kristi Noem has issued another round of disaster declarations for a number of counties hit by storms and flooding in late summer and early fall.

Many of those counties have run through much of their budget making multiple rounds of repairs.

Representative Jean Hunhoff of Yankton says legislators have heard from county officials about the help they need.

Hunhoff, a member of the Appropriations Committee, says it will be one more critical need facing legislators.

During their state convention, county commissioners passed a resolution calling for the legislature to allow counties to add a local option, half cent sales tax.

Hunhoff says that will be difficult to get through the legislature.

Yankton County alone has estimated over $20 million in damage from the spring flooding.