The Dakota Dunes Community Improvement District (CID) held their annual fall festival on Sunday, Oct. 1. The event ran from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the country club’s tennis courts and was open to all. A multitude of activities took place, such as face painting, pony rides, a large in_atable obstacle course, carnival games, crafts, caricature drawings and the making of balloon animals and balloon swords.

Every year the Union County Board of County Commissioners leases out some of its fairground buildings and property in Elk Point. This year however, the commissioners had a discussion at their Sept. 19 meeting on whether the fairground parking lot area should be let. A motion was made to not lease the property this year and came down to a roll call vote. Commissioner Mike Dailey voted against the motion while commissioners Kevin Joffer, Tom Kimmel and Rich Headid voted in favor. Commission Chairman Milton Ustad abstained. The vote passed 3-1-1 and the property was not added to the bid list.

Ben Baldwin and Kevin Connelly started a “Helluva” business adventure in Elk Point 20 years ago. However, the duo has been working together for more than 20 years. The pair met while Connelly was working at Cybernex – a business he owned with another individual.

What started out as a leap of faith has now grown and blossomed into a full blown adventure. Fleurish Flower Farm + Design has become a place in South Dakota to experience. With flowers, pumpkins, live music, coffee and baked goods available twice a week during the summer, it’s easy to see how Christy Heckathorn’s flower adventure has bloomed into a tourist attraction.

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The 2023-24 Annual Budget was approved at the Dakota Valley School Board’s meeting Sept. 11. The tax levies were determined as follows: AG – $1.320 per $1,000; Owner-Occupied – $2.954 per $1,000; NA/Utilities – $6.113 per $1,000 and Total Valuation – $1.500 per $1,000. A further breakdown of the school’s budget is available in this edition on page 12.

With a scheduled hour delay start to their meeting, the Dakota Dunes Community Improvement District Board of Supervisors met Sept. 18.

By Beth Hutcheson times1reporter@gmail.com The first reading for the reformation of the Parks and Recreation Board was held at the North Sioux City City Council meeting Sept. 18. Administration presented revisions to the city’s current ordinance. In the revision, it struck out many areas and added some clarifications. Some areas within the ordinance were struck out completely that included, recommendations by resolution, annual report and authority. The board makeup will consist of five members with one alternate member with one board member being from the business community. All members will be approved by the city council.