Free website available for SD municipalities

Site helps local governments share meeting information with the public–and stay compliant

South Dakota’s local governments have a free and easy-to-use tool to help improve public access to meeting information.

Launched in 2021, the Local Government Boards and Commissions website allows cities, counties and school boards to post agendas, minutes and other related documents online.

It may also help municipalities stay in compliance with open meetings and records laws.

Simple, flexible format

The platform is designed to be user-friendly and adaptable.

Municipalities can use it as much or as little as they prefer–whether by linking to their own site or using it as the main hub for all meeting-related content.

It was created by the South Dakota Municipal League (SDML), the South Dakota Association of County Officials and Association of County Commissioners along with the Associated School Boards of South Dakota.

At a minimum, municipalities are encouraged to upload approved minutes from all council meetings. The goal is to make public information easier for both staff and residents to find and use.

Timely transparency tool

The site is a valuable tool given the state’s renewed focus on open government.

Recent efforts by the South Dakota Open Meetings Commission have emphasized the need for clear and consistent access to public meeting information.

Under state law (SDCL 1-25), public bodies must provide public notice of meetings, including agendas and supporting materials, in advance. Additionally, state public record laws (SDCL 1-27) require that certain documents be made available to citizens upon request.

The site provides a centralized, consistent place to post information, helping boards fulfill legal obligations as well as public expectations for transparency.

Getting started

To begin, each municipality must create an account. Once approved by SDML staff, cities can begin posting and updating content.

Each board or commission will have at least one assigned administrator to manage the group’s information.

Cities can post and update:

• Meeting schedules, agendas, minutes and other relevant details
• Board or commission member lists
• Supporting documents and external links
• General information about the board or commission

Once your city account is created, email Jessica Carr, SDML director of member engagement, for approval and setup.

The platform not only strengthens local transparency and communication, but also supports compliance with the state’s policies. It’s a simple and effective way to ensure that citizens stay informed–and that governing bodies remain accountable.