Rapid City Council Moves Public Comment to Meeting End

The 7-3 resolution relocates general public comment on non-agenda items to later in council meetings, after agenda items are handled.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in City Hall

Rapid City Council Moves Public Comment to Meeting End

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The Rapid City Council voted 7-3 on Monday, November 2, 2026, to move general public comment to the end of its meetings. Council members Laura Armstrong, Josh Biberdorf, and Stephen Tamang voted no.

Why it matters

Currently, general public comment on items not on the agenda opens each meeting, and the council cannot act on such items unless it unanimously places them on the agenda. The change affects when residents can address the council on non-agenda matters, while state law requires a public comment period but does not dictate its placement.

The resolution passed 7-3 and applies to council, Legal and Finance Committee, and Rapid City Public Works meetings. Public comment on specific agenda items is unaffected by the change.

The players

Rapid City Council

The elected body governing Rapid City, South Dakota, which sets its own meeting procedures.

Jason Salamun

The mayor of Rapid City, who said the change would not affect public comment on agenda items.

Bill Evans

A Rapid City councilman who argued general public comments are new business and should follow votes on agenda items.

The details

The resolution moves general public comment to follow consent items, non-consent items, and public hearings. Mayor Jason Salamun and Councilwoman Armstrong said the change would not affect agenda-item comment, while Councilman Bill Evans said the council follows Robert's Rules of Order and that general comments are new business.

Monday, November 2, 2026: Council voted 7-3 to move general public comment to the end of meetings.

Political Context

South Dakota law under SDCL 1-25-1 requires a public comment period at every official city council meeting but does not specify its placement on the agenda. Supporters of the change say it accommodates residents attending for specific agenda items, while Councilman Evans argues general comments should follow agenda votes.

Residents wishing to speak on non-agenda items will now do so near the end of council meetings rather than at the start. Comment on specific agenda items is unchanged under the resolution.

The takeaway

Residents who want to address the Rapid City Council on non-agenda matters should plan to attend later in the meeting under the new order. Agenda-item comment remains available at its usual point.