This week in Brookings: September 21–27

Brookings County will approve its 2027 budget this week and hear about planned highway work over the next five years. The county commission meets Tuesday at 8:30 AM to hold a public hearing and vote on the provisional budget and the Highway Road & Bridge 5-Year Plan. Residents can attend to comment on either proposal before the commission acts.

The city council convenes the same day at 6:00 PM to certify the 2027 property tax levy and approve a budget amendment. Both meetings are open to the public, and residents may speak during the open forum period.

An advisory board for the Brookings County Outdoor Adventure Center meets Monday at noon to review its financial report and discuss updates from the director and 4-H youth advisor. The Disability Awareness Committee gathers Thursday at a time to be confirmed to discuss voting access in Brookings, plan for National Disability Employment Awareness Month on October 13, and hear from a speaker on accessibility topics.

This is also a significant week for local elections. Saturday morning at 9:00 AM, the community can meet candidates for city council and county commission at the City-County Government Center. Two city council seats are open, and three county commission seats are up for election. Five candidates are running for the city council seats, and at least three are seeking county commission positions.

On the Jackrabbits front, SDSU football plays Eastern Illinois at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium Saturday at 6:00 PM. The volleyball team competes at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion on Saturday at 7:00 PM.

The week offers plenty of family activities: McCrory Gardens opens free to all Wednesday morning and runs through evening, kid-friendly events include a tie pillow craft on Monday, play dates for toddlers Tuesday and Saturday, and a pet parade Thursday where owners can bring their animals to parade and compete. The Farmers Market continues Saturday morning downtown. A Kiwanis pancake feed Saturday offers all-you-can-eat pancakes and sausage for \$10 at the Community Life Center, with gluten-free and sugar-free options available.