Watertown City Council holds special meeting today on Home Rule Charter amendment

April 14, 2021
Mike Tanner

WATERTOWN, S.D.–The Watertown City Council holds a special meeting today to hear the second reading of an ordinance that would amend Watertown’s Home Rule Charter.

In short, it would change the deadline by which the city manager would be required to submit to the city council a budget for the ensuing fiscal year.

Right now, that deadline is on or before the first regular city council meeting in September. If changed, it would move to on or before the first regular council meeting in November.

If the city council approves the amendment today, it would appear on the June 15th election ballot for voter approval.

City officials may also discuss publicly, for the first time, a change in commercial air service at Watertown Regional Airport. It was learned Tuesday that the U.S. Department of Transportation has chosen Key Lime Airlines, doing business as Denver Air Connection, to serve Watertown under the terms of a two year Essential Air Service contract. 

Watertown had requested an extension of their current contract with Skywest Airlines, doing business as United Express.

Watertown’s contract with Skywest expires on June 1st. It appears the change to Key Lime will bring an end to non-stop jet service from Watertown to Chicago O’Hare. 

Today’s meeting is at 12 noon at City Hall.