SIOUX FALLS, SD, (KELO.com)– The Sioux Falls City Council voted not to allow money from extra parking lot fees to be donated to the “Supply our Students” project.
Many council members did not like the idea.
Councilor Curt Soehl says that funds for the City shouldn’t be used for something else.
He says, “I don’t want to start down the slippery path of taking our enterprise funds, whether it be water, sewer, whatever, to pay for other projects. Let’s keep them in their lane.”
Council Member Greg Neitzert says he could not support the idea because using city money for a charity violates policy.
“We have passed a policy. There is a resolution that says the enterprises have to be free-standing. Money can’t go out of them; money can’t go into them unless it is in the enterprise.” He says, “We’re asking the City to investigate using parking fines to divert to an outside charity. I’m not going to ask the Mayor to look at something that completely violates a policy that we have adopted.”
Neizert says he could not keep a clean conscience if he voted “yes” on the plan.
Soehl also voted not to approve the plan.
He says, “We have a fiduciary responsibility as city councilmen and women, to make sure that the money is spent correctly.”
The vote lost five to three.
