Fall River County - Government & Citizenship

Fall River County is governed by five commissioners who meet, on average, twice each month. Occasionally, special meetings are held. Minutes and agendas of these meetings are posted on the county’s website and articles reporting county business are published in the Hot Springs Star.    

The Fall River County Commission adopted a budget for the fiscal year 2012 in the amount of slightly more than $5.6 million on Sept. 22, 2011. Of  this, general fund expenditures were $3,646,591. Line item details can be found in commission minutes for Sept. 22, 2011. A public meeting was held on Sept. 6, 2011, to allow members of the public to discuss with commissioners the provisional budget published in the Hot Springs Star in August.

School Districts

Hot Springs

The Hot Springs School District is governed by a seven-member board which meets monthly. The board’s meeting schedule, agendas for meetings, and board minutes are posted on the school district’s website. The minutes are also published in the Hot Springs Star and can be accessed online. News articles about school board meetings and other school-related events are found at the same website under the Education tab. The school’s mission is summed up on the district’s website in four words: work, learn, celebrate, achieve. In order to help students succeed and graduate, the district offers an alternative program in addition to the traditional elementary, middle school and high school. Sports are an important part of the educational experience for students in the Hot Springs school district.

Budget

The Hot Springs Board of Education passed a resolution in August 2011 adopting a budget for the 2011-2012 school year in the amount of  $9.1 million. Of this, slightly over $5.3 million was in the General Fund, approximately $1.2 million was allocated for Capital Outlay, nearly $1.2 in Capital Projects, $100,000 in pension fund and $250,000 in impact aid. The proposed budget published in the Hot Springs Star outlines expenditures in greater detail.

Edgemont

The Edgemont School District is governed by a five-member Board of Education, which meets monthly. Minutes of these meetings are posted on the school’s website. In addition to the core curriculum, distance learning classes and dual-credit college courses, the school offers  electives, a fine arts program and a competitive sports program. 

Budget

The Edgemont School District has an operating budget of nearly $2.3 million for fiscal year 2011-2011. Of this, slightly over $1.7 million is for general fund expenses, around $280,000 is for capital outlay expenses, nearly $240,000 is for special education, and just over $65,000 is for food service. A detailed budget shows the breakdown of these categories and the revenue sources.

Oelrichs

The Oelrichs School District is governed by a five-member Board of Education. Minutes of monthly meetings  are published in the Hot Springs Star and can be accessed online.

Elections