Cost of STAR Academy Refit Challenges Noem, Budget

Governor Kristi Noem sounds unhappy about repossessing the STAR Academy south of Custer. Not only will making good use of the property cost big bucks, but now the Governor has to think about something she didn’t plan to think about:

“They need millions and millions of dollars of upgrades,” Noem says. “The electrical system, the sewer system, the infrastructure all needs to be fixed and modernized. If we’re to do that we will literally need to come up with millions of dollars to utilize it that way. I’m not sure where that money comes from in a year like this year. So, obviously the STAR academy is not something I thought I would have responsibility for. I thought it was sold under the last administration. Now that it’s back in state hands we’re accessing every option we have” [Lee Strubinger, “Noem: ‘STAR Academy Needs Millions of Dollars of Upgrades’,” SDPB Radio, 2019.10.17].

Governor Noem suggests that this is a bad year for state revenues, but just last week, the Bureau of Finance and Management announced we’re up $2.6 million from projected revenues for the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2020. Our September sales tax revenues bounced back and beat target by $2.7 million.

I shouldn’t speak to soon for spending the surplus on STAR Academy. Noem still has to fix the nursing home crisis, and her son is going to need a state job alongside his big sis and brother-in-law pretty soon….

Nonetheless, the state once again owns property in what should be a useful and potentially lucrative location. I know it’s tough to think creatively (Team Noem can’t even think of an original way for the First Gentleman to twiddle his thumbs), but there are always possibilities in the Black Hills. If you can’t think of something, Governor Noem, then cede the land back to South Dakota’s tribes. I’m sure they can think of a way to use their ancient lands.

Read more: http://dakotafreepress.com/2019/10/23/cost-of-star-academy-refit-challenges-noem-budget/