Steve Harding to begin third term as Pierre’s mayor

PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- Pierre Mayor Steve Harding has been sworn in for his third term as the Mayor of South Dakota’s capital city.

Judge Bridget Mayer conducted the Oath of Office ceremony at this week’s city commission meeting.

Harding took his first Oath of Office as Mayor in 2017. Since then, he has successfully led the charge to replace Pierre’s nearly 100-year-old outdoor pool, change the City’s drinking water source from well water to Missouri River surface water, renovate and expand the Boys and Girls Club of the Capital Area, provide commercial flights from Pierre to both Denver and Minneapolis, relocate City Hall and transform the old City Hall site into a mixed-used development.

In the next three years, Harding says he’s looking forward to wrapping up a couple projects. He says currently his two biggest priorities are keeping the outdoor pool project on track for completion this year and making sure the urban infill project at the former City Hall location continues as planned.

As required by Home Rule Charter, the Mayor also gave the commissioners their assignments for the next year. They remain unchanged.

Commissioner Jamie Huizenga will continue as President of the Commission and lead meetings in Mayor Harding’s absence. He also maintains oversight of Engineering, Planning, Zoning, Airport, Landfill and Garbage operations.

Commissioner Blake Barringer is the liaison to the Utilities Dept.; Commissioner Todd Johnson is the liaison to the Parks and Recreation Dept.; and Commissioner Vona Johnson is the Public Safety and Library liaison.

Prior to being elected mayor, Harding served on the Pierre City Commission for nine years.