HARRISBURG, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) Some call it bribery; some say its blackmail while others say it may be good public policy and a boon to tax payers. The Harrisburg City Council will vote on Tuesday to determine the allowance of the State of South Dakota to tie into their wastewater treatment facility for the proposed and controversial state penitentiary.
The City of Harrisburg was approached by the D.O.C. with a proposition to tie into the city’s sewer system in exchange for compensation. The proposed cost is estimated to be approximately $7.5 million. If the vote succeeds, Harrisburg residents would see about $20 in monthly savings on their water bill. NOPE says that while this is an impactful number, it “doesn’t hold a candle” to the amount of taxes that would need to be paid in the foreseeable future for building the proposed prison.
The group Neighbors Opposing Prison Expansion, better known as NOPE, is encouraging Harrisburg residents to come to the meeting to make their views known. NOPE has been organized to oppose and try to stop the location of a new prison facility in Lincoln County.