County Briefing
Custer County residents deserve to know what's happening in their government. This page tracks key issues sourced directly from public records, commission minutes, audit reports, and local news — updated as information becomes available.
Qury Fire Burns 9,000+ Acres — FEMA Grant Approved
The Qury Fire ignited in Custer County in March 2026 and rapidly grew to over 9,000 acres, forcing mandatory evacuations across multiple areas. Governor Rhoden secured a FEMA Fire Management Assistance Grant, making federal reimbursement available for firefighting costs. However, FEMA audits grant recipients — and counties with repeat audit findings face scrutiny that can reduce or eliminate reimbursements. With four consecutive audit cycles of repeat findings, Custer County's financial posture puts maximum recovery at risk.
Sources: SD Dept. of Public Safety / FEMA.gov / SD Legislative Audit DivisionLaw Enforcement Contract Rejected — First Time in 45 Years
The 2025 contract paid the county $435,000. In late summer 2025, the commission demanded $750,000 — a 72 percent increase in a single year — after four years of $10,000 annual increases. Negotiations continued through December 18, 2025. The commission's final offer was a three-year structure of $500,000, $650,000, and $750,000, reaching its full demand by 2028. The city's final counteroffer was $500,000 for 2026 with 6 percent annual increases, reaching $561,800 by 2028. The commission rejected the city's offer, rescinded its own three-year proposal, and ended the contract entirely. When City of Custer alderwoman Peg Ryan said she was "really sorry" an agreement could not be reached, Commissioner Craig Hindle responded "So are we — the citizens, business owners and chamber are going to suffer." Mayor Bob Brown was quoted in the Chronicle: "That's not the way you negotiate, by coming in and saying 'this is it — take it or leave it.' That's not negotiating."
Source: Custer County Chronicle, December 2025 ("Law enforcement contract will expire," Jason Ferguson)School Resource Officer Position Saved by School District After Contract Vote
A direct consequence of the December 18, 2025 unanimous vote to dissolve the law enforcement contract: the Sheriff's Office indicated it could not maintain the school resource officer position with reduced staffing. At the March 11, 2026 commission meeting, Lt. Reifenrath stated on the record that the office had initially planned to remove the SRO from the school because it did not have enough personnel to cover patrol shifts, and that this was "still true." The position was preserved only after the Custer School District agreed to fund a new two-year SRO agreement directly with the Sheriff's Office at $65,000 per year, signed at that same March 11 meeting — nearly three months after the contract dissolution. The SRO is in the school today because the school district stepped in.
Source: Custer County Commission Minutes, March 11, 2026 (Item Q.2); Lt. Reifenrath testimony, March 11, 2026 commission meetingRequired Annual Financial Reports Not Filed
Custer County has failed to file required annual financial reports across multiple audit cycles, in violation of SDCL 7-10-4. The 2023 audit cited the most recent failures for the 2022 and 2023 reports — but the same finding has been raised in prior audits as well. These reports are a basic transparency requirement under South Dakota law. Their absence means the public and state oversight bodies cannot fully verify how county funds were managed.
Source: SD Legislative Audit DivisionIllegal Overspending: Expenditures Exceeding Appropriations
South Dakota law prohibits counties from spending beyond their approved appropriations. Custer County has been cited for this violation across multiple consecutive audit cycles. No corrective action plan has been filed. No management response has been submitted. The finding repeats — and county leadership has not publicly explained why.
Source: SD Legislative Audit DivisionRequired Annual Financial Reports Not Filed
Custer County failed to file required annual financial reports for 2022 and 2023 — a violation cited in the most recent audit. These reports are a basic transparency requirement under South Dakota law. Their absence means the public and state oversight bodies cannot fully verify how county funds were managed.
Source: SD Legislative Audit DivisionCommission Chairman Lintz Will Not Seek Re-election
At the January 7, 2026 commission meeting, Chairman Jim Lintz announced this will be his last year serving on the board and that he will not seek re-election. Three commissioner seats are up for election in the June 2, 2026 Republican Primary — representing a significant opportunity for voters to demand accountability and change course.
Source: Custer County Commission Minutes, January 7, 20262026 County Budget: $13 Million with Rising Costs
The adopted 2026 Custer County budget totals $13,037,867 — a 1% increase over 2025. Public safety accounts for $2,662,985, including $2,031,663 for the sheriff's office and $520,500 for prisoner care. Delinquent tax real estate listings jumped from 172 in 2024 to 392 in 2025 — a 128% increase — suggesting growing financial pressure on county residents.
Source: Custer County Commission Budget Hearing Minutes, September 2025