MITCHELL, S.D. — Mitchell Mayor Jordan Hanson is addressing concerns over letters sent to some residents regarding a proposed alley improvement assessment program.
Hanson said he takes responsibility for the letters and acknowledged that a letter should not have been the first communication on an issue involving potential costs for residents.
The proposal stems from a $2 monthly fee approved by the Mitchell City Council in 2019 to fund alley improvements and maintenance. Hanson said the account was not prioritized in recent years, while alley conditions remained one of the most common complaints he received after taking office.
Hanson said the city has continued alley maintenance but began exploring options for installing hard surfaces, such as concrete, in some alleys because of resident interest. However, he said the cost of paving all city alleys would be too expensive to complete at once.
The city developed a proposal that would allow residents in certain areas to share in the cost of improving their alleys. Hanson said the city would first focus on alleys where residents have previously expressed interest in hard-surface improvements.
Hanson emphasized the letters were only a proposal and that no alley improvements would move forward without resident support.
“If people don’t want this, they won’t get it and we won’t force it,” Hanson said.
He said the challenge is determining a fair way to decide which alleys receive improvements when many residents want better alleys but fewer are willing to pay the cost.
Hanson said a cost-sharing option could provide a path for residents who want improvements while allowing others to continue with city-maintained gravel alleys.
He apologized for any stress caused by the letters and said the city is looking for feedback from residents.
Hanson said the goal is to find a solution that works for the community, whether or not the current proposal moves forward.